FAQs Every Home Seller Should Read Before Hiring a Real Estate Agent
To successfully sell your home, you need to prepare yourself and have the proper knowledge. If you’re not sure where to begin, you can start by doing a little research and taking the time to ask critical questions to your real estate agent during your first meeting. This is your opportunity to see if the person you’re hiring will be able to help you get the best price for your house. Below are some common questions sellers have about selling their homes and working with a real estate agent.
Can I Sell My House Without a Realtor?
Yes, you can sell your house yourself without hiring a real estate agent. However, most homeowners hire an agent because selling a house involves many tasks that can be very time-consuming and challenging if you’ve never done it before. The process usually involves:
- Setting up and showing the home.
- Negotiating with buyers.
- Completing any paperwork that is required.
What Does a Realtor Do for Me?
It’s the job of a realtor to help you sell your home by bringing it in sight of as many potential home buyers as possible through various marketing methods, such as what’s known as the Multiple Listing Service. They also help facilitate communications between all parties involved in the transaction.
What Is Your Listing-to-sales Ratio?
If a real estate agent’s listings sell in 60 days on average, but yours sits for six months or more, that’s a bad sign. Also, ask how much the list price was, compared with the final selling price to see if they can negotiate well.
What is Your Marketing Plan?
Ask what methods an agent will use for marketing your home and how they’ll keep you informed of progress. Agents with poor marketing plans may not find buyers in today’s competitive market.
What’s Your Commission?
This question helps you see whether or not the agent is worth their commission rate. If an agent offers a lower commission rate than other local agents, that means they may be less experienced or value themselves less than other agents. If they have a high commission rate, they could offer better services. If they provide excellent service and charge a high commission, then they’re worth it.
How Long Have You Been in Business?
This question can help you determine if an agent is a good fit for your needs. Experienced agents who have been in the business for years will deliver better results because they’ve gone through more experiences than newer agents. They will also understand the market much better than newer ones, which can be beneficial for sellers who want to sell faster and at their best.
Although many home sellers opt to sell their homes without a real estate agent, hiring one can be advantageous. A real estate professional will know the housing market in your area and should be able to help you set the right price for your home and prepare it for a quick sale. But not all real estate agents work the same way. Before you hire one, ask them these questions to ensure they’re right for you.
