You’re about to make one of the biggest financial decisions of your life, so it’s important to ask the right questions. Here are some key ones to ask a real estate agent before making any purchase.
Here are some of the questions you should ask:
- How much commission do you earn from this transaction?
You may be surprised by how much a real estate agent can earn from your deal. It’s important to know up front what percentage of the sales price you’ll pay for an agent’s services.
- What are your commission rates?
Some agents charge a flat rate, while others charge on a sliding scale based on the price of the home you’re buying or selling. The more expensive the home, the higher the commission rate will be.
- How long have you been selling homes in this area?
It’s important that your agent has experience selling homes in your neighborhood and understands local trends and market conditions. You want someone who knows how to sell homes like yours and who can help guide you through every step of the process — from listing your house to closing on your new one.
Are they experienced?
You want someone with experience selling homes in your area. If they’ve been in business for years and have a roster of satisfied clients, they probably know what they’re doing. If they’re new to their field, they may be less familiar with local trends and prices, so don’t expect them to be able to get you the best deal possible.
Do they have knowledge of my neighborhood?
A good agent will know all about your neighborhood — who lives there and how long they’ve been there, what amenities are nearby and what community events are coming up soon — because this information can help them sell more houses quickly. It also gives them insight into what kind of features would appeal most to potential buyers in your area (for example, if there’s a park nearby that lots of families frequent).
How long have you been in the business?
The best way to find a good real estate agent is by asking for recommendations from friends, family or business associates. You can also search online for reviews of agents in your area if you cannot find anyone to recommend.
What kind of marketing strategies do you use?
Real estate agents use several different marketing strategies to get their clients’ homes sold quicker and at a better price than they would without any help at all. Ask them which ones they prefer using and why they think they work so well for selling homes quickly and at higher prices than other people in the same market would receive without their help at all. If you are looking for semi detatched homes for sale, Contact us.
