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How to Find the Best Real Estate Agent When Selling Your Home

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How to Find the Best Real Estate Agent When Selling Your Home

 

About 800,000 new homes were sold as of September 2021. Meanwhile, about 379,000 new homes were listed for sale. The median sales price for these homes reached $408,800.

Without an experienced real estate agent at your side, however, you might struggle to receive your asking price. You could waste valuable time trying to sell your home, too. The longer your home remains on the market, the longer it will take before you can enjoy your new home.

You do not have to work through this process alone. Instead, ask these questions to find the best real estate agent in your area.

Asking these questions will help you find a real estate agent you can trust. They will remain at your side every step of the way. Choosing a real estate agent with local experience will streamline the sales process, too. 

Discover how to hire a real estate agent with the market experience and expertise you need. Get started by asking these eleven questions today!

1. How Long Have You Worked in Real Estate?

First, it is important to find a real estate agent with years of hands-on experience in the industry. Their experience can speak to their expertise and ability to accomplish your goals. Someone who is new to the industry, however, could struggle.

Choosing someone who lacks experience might impact your ability to receive your asking price or sell within a certain timeframe. Real estate agents who lack experience are more likely to make mistakes, too. These agents might also struggle to answer your questions.

An inexperienced agent likely has fewer professional contacts you can utilize as well.

Instead, look for someone with a few years in the industry. Ask how many homes they have sold within that time, too. Determine how many clients they have helped with buying versus selling, too.

If the real estate agent has more experience buying, consider finding someone else. You will want to make sure you hire a real estate agent with experience that is relevant to your needs. 

2. How Many Homes Have You Sold in This Neighborhood?

It is not enough to find an agent with years of experience in the real estate industry, though. If you want to find the best real estate agent, ask about their local experience. How many homes have they helped sell within your area?

Ask if they have experience specific to your neighborhood, too.

Their local experience could speak to their abilities to accomplish your goals. These agents will have more intimate knowledge about the area. They can use their experience selling homes in the past to streamline the process for you.

For example, they will likely have a better understanding of local marketing conditions. They will also know what buyers in the area are looking for.

An agent with knowledge relevant to your area will know which schools, amenities, restaurants, and other points of interest to highlight. They will ensure your marketing strategy appeals to local buyers. You might have an easier time generating interest as a result.

They will know how to stage your home with local buyers in mind, too.

3. How Would You Price My Home?

The average price of newly listed homes has climbed by 32.6% since 2020. In large metro areas, prices have increased by 43%. Before you hire a real estate agent, ask how they would price your property.

If they price too high, they could scare potential buyers away. If they price too low, you could end up leaving money on the table.

Determine how each agent determines their price. Finding the right asking price can maximize your offer price. It could help you sell quickly as well.

Your real estate agent should consider similar homes that have recently sold in the area. If they do not complete a comparative market analysis (CMA), they could make assumptions. Instead, they should justify their suggested price.

They might mention factors such as square footage, the condition of your home, and the number of bedrooms/bathrooms. 

If their answer is vague, consider it a red flag. Consider choosing a real estate agent with expertise you can count on. 

4. How Should I Prepare My Home?

Before choosing a real estate agent, consider their process. How will they help you beyond determining an asking price and listing your home? The best real estate will go above and beyond to help you accomplish your goals.

For example, they can provide an unbiased opinion about the current state of your home.

They can help you determine what updates and repairs you will need to make. The changes you make could help improve your asking price. You could have an easier time attracting buyers by improving your home's curb appeal, too.

If the real estate agent does not have any suggestions, schedule an inspection. If the inspection determines there are problem areas that need fixing, choose a different agent. 

5. How Has the Local Market Changed?

Remember, you will want to find a real estate agent with experience and expertise that can help you make informed decisions. As you interview each agent, ask them about the local real estate market. What changes or trends have they noticed in the past year?

Choose a real estate agent with up-to-date knowledge. They should inform you about the local market, new strategies, and even technology changes in marketing. 

If they are not tracking these trends, they could lack the expertise you are searching for, and you should consider choosing someone else. 

6. Can You Provide References?

Each real estate agent you speak with will try to convince you that they are the best. You do not have to take their word for it. Instead, ask each agent for references. You can check online for client reviews, too.

Look for an agent who already has a strong reputation among homeowners in the area. Their reputation will speak to their experience and expertise. 

If you can, speak with at least three of the agent's most recent clients. Try to speak with clients who sold homes in the area. Then, ask about their experience working with the agent.

Did they encounter any problems? Would they suggest you hire someone else?

You can learn from their firsthand account to make a more informed decision. 

7. What Marketing Strategies Will You Use?

The real estate industry accounted for 22% of total commercial drone use in 2020. Virtual tours are most important to buyers within the 53 to 71 age range, too. Meanwhile, 73% of sellers are more likely to list homes with an agent who uses video marketing. If your agent works with companies like Hommati, then they will have access to these types of services. 

Another 84% of real estate agents use Facebook for social media marketing. 

Before choosing a real estate agent, ask each agent about their marketing strategy. How will they help you attract buyers? Try to find an agent who uses a mix of traditional and digital marketing strategies.

Using digital marketing strategies could help by expanding your reach. Your listing will appear in front of even more potential buyers. Meanwhile, new digital marketing strategies will help your listing stand out.

For example, virtual tours could help prospective buyers explore your listing without scheduling an in-person tour. If they decide your home is not the right fit, you will not have to waste your time. Instead, you can attract buyers who are truly interested in your home.

8. How Did Your Last Few Sales Go?

Take the time to learn about the agent's most recent sales, too. Their stories can give you a better understanding of what it is like to work with them.

Make a note if the agent complains about "difficult" clients.

Make sure their recent sales went through, too. If not, consider choosing someone else.

9. What's Your Average Days on Market?

Take the time to determine how long it will take the agent to sell your home, too. Asking this question will give you a rough idea of the process. You will have an easier time managing your expectations, too.

As you look for the best real estate agent in town, make sure to ask this question to a few different people. Then, you can gauge the average.

If someone's timeframe seems too long, scratch them off your list.

10. What Are Your Costs?

Make sure to ask each agent you speak with for a copy of their contract. Consider how high their commissions are. 

Compare their rate with the rate of other agents on your list, too. 

11. How Often Will We Talk?

Before you hire a real estate agent, make sure you will have a plan to communicate. How often will they update you? Determine how often you will meet in person or talk on the phone.

If the agent does not have a plan to keep you informed, you might feel like you are in the dark. It is possible they are not dedicating time to your listing, either.

Select the Best: 11 Questions to Ask When Looking for the Best Real Estate Agent

Learning how to find the best real estate agent in town should not feel stressful. Instead, ask these questions before choosing a real estate agent. With these tips, you will have an easier time narrowing down your options.

Then, you will have peace of mind knowing you are choosing a real estate agent you can trust. 

Ready to find a licensed realtor in the area? We can help.

Use this directory today to get started.