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10 Things to Ask Before You Hire an Agent
Not all agents are the same! There is a
great deal involved in selling your home for the best possible price, in the shortest time
and with the least amount of inconvenience to you.
Before you hire an agent to sell your
home, you should interview several agents. Prior to signing an agreement, any agent that
you interview DOES NOT represent you and you should be careful not to share critical
information such as the bottom line price that you need or your urgency. This information
may work against you if you choose to list with another agent. Below are 10 question you
should ask before hiring a agent. The answers will not only tell you if the agent you are
interviewing has the knowledge, the experience, a comprehensive marketing program and the
guarantees you need to successfully sell your home in today's market, but they will also
let you discover how comfortable you are with the realtor....A very important
consideration.
- Are you a Realtor®? A Realtor® is
a member of the local Board of Realtors®, and is held to a higher ethical standard than
the state requires from real estate agents. Only Realtors® have access to the Multiple
Listing Service (MLS), the most important and comprehensive data base available.
Realtors® have access to more training programs and innovative technology and strategies
for selling homes
- Do you have a web site?
67%
of all home buyers shop the internet for their home. 78% of all clients relocating have
researched the market they are moving to on the internet. If the agent does not have a web
site, they are not utilizing all marketing techniques.
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Where will you advertise my
home and how often? Newspapers, real estate magazines, internet sites,
mailers, etc. , make sure that all forms of media are being utilized. Make sure a virtual
tour is included, so websurfers can view your home from anywhere in the world. Make sure
your home is out there, consistently, frequently, every where!
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If things are not working
out, can we get out of our listing agreement? Make sure it is written on the
listing agreement. If you are not satisfied with their service you need the opportunity to
cancel your agreement. You're in control!
How do I know you won't
disappear once we have signed the listing agreement? Make sure a plan is in place
for frequent up dates, scheduled advertising and activity reports. Make sure you can reach
you agent when you have a question.
May I see samples of your
marketing, flyers, web pages, mailers? Do they look professional? Are they eye
catching? What community information do they offer? Will you prepare a financing sheet?
These items help the prospective buyer fall in love with your home.
What services do you provide
that other agents don't? Do they create a floor plan? Do they offer a home
warranty? Do they do open houses? Do you provide a scheduled activity report? Is a virtual
tour included?
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Will you make suggestions of
things we can do to help get our home sold? You should receive a list of items to
do to make your home more appealing to prospective buyers and a list of what to do before
a showing.
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Can I think it over and call
you tomorrow? This is a big decision. The wrong choice can cost you lots of time
and money. You are in control. Review the materials and call back tomorrow.
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Do you guarantee your
service? No Realtor® can guarantee a price or time frame that your home will
sell in, but they should guarantee your satisfaction. If you are not completely happy with
their service you should be able to cancel your listing. Get it in writing!
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