7 Questions to Ask Your Selling Agent

Selling your home is a significant step, and you should know what you’re getting into before you take the plunge. While there are dozens of things to consider during the home sale process, choosing the right selling agent is critical. In this article, we’re going to break down the seven things every homeowner should ask their selling agent before the deal goes through, and why it matters to you.

7 Big Questions to Ask Your Selling Agent

When it comes time to sell your home, ask your new agent the following questions:

1. “What’s your experience with home sales?”

If you’ve never worked with the agent before, ask about his or her experience. Selling homes is a tricky business, and it pays to work with someone highly experienced in the area. Things like number of years in the business, successful track records of high-value home sales, and stellar client reviews are all good indicators that you’ve found a great agent.

2. “What’s your marketing strategy for your homes?”

Marketing a home is 50% of the battle today, and it’s smart to ask your agent how he or she intends to publicize your home. Do they take a newspaper-and-flyer-only approach? How do they use social media and digital sites? Do they use a mixture of both? The more marketing, the better, so be sure that your agent has a comprehensive plan.

3. “What are your communication preferences?”

While some agents prefer to text, others have never sent or received a text message in their life. Ask about communication preferences early on to make sure everyone’s on the same page.

4. “Do you ever represent both buyers and sellers?”

Some agents represent buyers and sellers in their business, which means there’s a slight possibility they’ll wind up representing both you and the buyer in your transaction. While this isn’t against the law, it can get complex. As such, many sellers want an agent who only represents the seller side, or who will promise not also to account for the buyer in your transaction.

5. “What’s the value of your typical home sales?”

 For the agent to serve you well, you need to know that his or her current buyers are within your price range. If they’re far too low or far too high, you may be better off finding an agent who works more closely with your target buyer.

6. “Can you help me get a home loan?”

Some agents are incredibly knowledgeable about home loans, which means they can help you secure one through education and information. If you’re new to the home selling process, and you intend to buy a new home after you’ve sold your existing one, this is a trait that you’ll find precious in an agent.

7. “What’s your list-to-price ratio?”

This measurement, which refers to the sales prices of a property divided by the most updated listing price, can help you understand your agent’s sale success rates and get an idea of how your deal will likely go.

Perfect Agents Mean Happy Selling

Selling a home is much easier with the help of a good agent. When you remember these questions to ask your selling agent, you’re likely to wind up with a much better fit.