Keller Williams Realty, Inc. is a real estate franchise company. Each Keller Williams office is independently owned and operated. Keller Williams Realty, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports the Fair Housing Act.
Interviewing prospective Realtors to list your home may feel like an intimidating process, but arming yourself with the right questions will help you stay on track and also feel confident in choosing the right fit for your family, while also letting the real estate professionals know what is important to you.
If you’re unsure where to begin, hopefully this list will be a springboard to get you started. This list is not meant to be entirely exhaustive, your home is as unique as you are and there are likely to be a few topics that are specific to your unique situation.
Ask what designations and memberships they hold. Are they a member of NAR (National Association of Realtors)? Designations are credentials awarded for gaining further education in specific fields, beyond the minimum licensing requirements. For instance, a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation is the highest credential awarded to residential agents. Having a CRS designation does not automatically make one agent better than another, but is an indication of their commitment to their education and their clients.
How long has the agent been in Real Estate? What does their portfolio look like? It is not uncommon for Real Estate professionals to specialize in a specific property type, i.e. suburban homes, farm/land, new development, luxury homes, etc. If your home has a very narrow field of buyers, it may be helpful to have someone who is knowledgeable in your specific needs. Ask for references or reviews from former clients.
Discuss strategies to market and get your home sold! What tools and methods does the agent utilize to drive interest to your listing? If you have specific desires for the marketing plan, this is an excellent time to discuss this.
Did the agent arrive prepared with a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)? A CMA gives you and the agent a fairly good idea of the ballpark price point that your home could be listed for. Selecting an agent who knows how to price your home to get it sold is important. Your home should be priced competitively, the end goal is to get your home sold for top dollar and with a limited number of days on market. If a CMA is not provided, ask if they would be able to provide one within a timely manner.
This is the time to discuss all things commission related. Nobody loves the “money talk”, but it’s just part of the process. Commission structures are always negotiable. A couple key items to consider before this discussion:
An experienced agent will be able to identify and advise you on maximizing your homes marketability. Whether it’s minimizing personal belongings or refreshing the home with clean, neutral paint colors. The agent may even advise getting a home inspection done, to avoid any surprises down the line.
Check communication style – make sure the agent is willing to communicate with you in a manner that works for you, If you prefer updates via phone, text, email – make sure you are on the same page. Communication is vital during the home selling process.
We hope this short, and not entirely exhaustive list will help you feel confident when choosing a Realtor, to assist you with your Real Estate needs. And of course, and as always – we would love to hear from you if you are in the market to buy or sell a home. We would love to work with you!
https://www.thecorbygroup.com/contact/
Keller Williams Realty, Inc. is a real estate franchise company. Each Keller Williams office is independently owned and operated. Keller Williams Realty, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports the Fair Housing Act.