Selling a home can be stressful, especially if it’s your first time selling a home. There are a lot of steps in the selling process and some of the terminology can be confusing. When you use a real estate agent, they are a licensed professional who will know and understand the process and help you along the way. They are a great resource for you and will have a lot of information and connections that you wouldn’t have selling your home by yourself. Finding the right realtor is an important step in the home selling process. Here are some questions you should ask your realtor before you hire 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.

• “Do you see any improvements that I could make that would help us sell quickly or for more money?”- If you have walls that 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 will be

• “How many current listings do you have?”- Busy typically means they’re a good agent, but you don’t want someone that 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 your yard sign that says “home for sale.” 

• “What will you want me to sign and how long will my listing last?”- 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?” This is important to know if you need to 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 you 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 they want to make sure they know your goals, priorities, and expectations. If you are looking to buy a home after you sell, you will also want to ask them 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.