Don't list your home for sale with just anybody! Here is a list of simple questions you should ask any Real Estate professional before you sign the papers to list your home for sale.

 

1. How many homes did you sell last year?

 

Why this is important - You do not want to hire a Realtor to sell your home, worth hundreds of thousands of your hard earned dollars, who is not experienced. Imagine getting major surgery from a doctor who performs the operation a couple of times per year, pretty scary right? A Realtor selling your home is preforming major financial surgery on you. Pick wisely.

 

2. What is the percentage of your listings that are selling?

 

Why this is important - If a Realtor takes 20 listings to market each year yet only sells 3 homes, that effectively means you have a 15% chance of selling your home with that particular Realtor. Not great odds if you are serious about selling.

 

3. What is your average list to sales price ratio vs the average for your real estate board?

 

Why this is important - A professional Realtor should not only help you get your home sold yet should also be able to get you top dollar for your home. If every home they sell goes for 5% less than its original list price, you may not get the money you need in the sale.

 

4. What is your average marketing time vs the MLS average?

 

Why this is important - Time on market is crutial. Less time selling your home means less annoying showings, strangers in your home, time away from home, cleaning and actually more money in your pocket.

 

5. Do you have a list of past clients I can call?

 

Why this is important - Get the real scoop before you sign the papers to list. A long list of happy clients is the first indication of a great Realtor.

 

6. Do you follow up on all showings and will you give me feedback? If so, how?

 

Why this is important - One of the biggest issues consumers have with their Realtor is lack of communication. There is nothing worse than having a showing and wondering how it went. Proper feedback can help you determine any potential roadblocks that are keeping your home from getting sold.

 

7. Do you have a copy of the Realtor Code of Ethics?

 

Why this is important - If they don't, they should.

 

8. How much do you spend on education and training each year?

 

Why this is important - Does your Realtor meet the minimum requirements of education just to keep their real estate liscense? Or do they go above and beyond to more effectively serve the needs of their customers?

 

9. Are you full time?

 

Why this is important - Real estate is a complex profession full of legal, ethical and industry challenges that must be kept on top of at all times. The game changes fast in real estate and you owe it to yourself and the sale of your home to have a full time professional handling the sale of your most valuable asset.

 

POWER THOUGHT

Hire the Realtor who is best qualified to handle the sale of your most valuable asset, your home.

 

Click here to see how I stack up

Until next time,

Darin