Selling a home can be stressful, especially if it’s your first time selling. There are a lot of steps in the selling process and some of the terminology can be confusing. When using a real estate agent, you are engaging a licensed professional who knows and understands the process and will help you along the way. They are a great resource for you and will have a lot of information and connections unavailable to you if selling your home on your own. Finding the right REALTOR® is an important step in the home selling process. Here are some questions you should ask a realtor before you decide to work with them.

• “What’s the best price you think we’ll get for my house in the condition it’s in? Why?”- You can ask for a comparative market analysis (CMA). Remember, if you have someone say they can get you a lot more for your home that doesn't mean you should use them. You want someone that is realistic and understands the market your home is in.

• “Do you see any improvements I could make that would help us sell quickly or for more money?”- If your home has features your realtor thinks will turn buyers away they should tell you.

• “Do you see any reason my home wouldn’t sell?”- This will give you an idea of how honest and upfront your agent is willing to be.

• “How many current listings do you have?”- Busy typically means they’re a good agent, but you don’t want someone who won’t have time for your listing.

• “What is your marketing strategy for my home?”- Marketing a home has come a long way and is more than sign in your yard that says “home for sale.” 

• “What forms do I need to sign and how long am I committed to working with you?”- Make sure you read over the listing agreement, and understand how long you will have to work with the realtor.

• “How much do you charge and what’s included in your fee?”- This will most likely be answered in the listing agreement, but if you have any questions about that make sure you ask.

• “What do I need to do to get my home ready?” It is important to know if your agent will advise youto hire a staging service, or if you only need to make sure you keep your home clean for showings.

• “How often will we communicate?”- Selling your home is a journey you embark on with your realtor. Knowing how often you’ll communicate is vital.

When you’re finding a real estate agent to help sell your home, asking the right questions is paramount to having a good relationship with them. However, don’t be surprised if they ask you questions too. They are representing you in this sale, and should want to make sure they know your goals, priorities, and expectations. If you are looking to buy a home after you sell, you may also want to ask if they are able to help you with the home buying process as well. If you’re looking for an agent to help you sell your home, our team of knowledgeable and talented realtors are here to help. You can contact us and we will help you connect with an agent that will work hard to sell your home.