Buying or selling your home or property is one of
the largest sales you'll make so it's important to work with the REALTOR®
that is right for you.REALTORS®
are not all the same in fact they each have their own strategies so I recommend
conducting interviews to find the best fit for you.
When it comes to your next home or property it's
important to choose an expert that will work in your best interest, guard the
equity and bring you a successful sale. Here are some of the areas I recommend
you review when considering a REALTOR® to represent your interests:
Must have the experience, qualifications and
abilities to sell your home or property for the highest possible price and
within timelines.
Must have the experience, qualifications and
abilities to be your Buyer's Representative.
Must have your best interest as their first
priority.
Must have current and in-depth knowledge of
your community and the overall market.
Must address your needs promptly and
professionally.
I also recommend asking your family, friends and
neighbours for a REALTOR®they would confidently recommend then from
this list of names conduct some preliminary research (i.e. reviewing their
website/testimonials) and then set up interviews.
Getting the Answers You Need
Question 1
Do you have any personal marketing materials I can review?
Everyone has an image that is portrayed in their
personal marketing materials including brochures, listing presentation books,
etc. Call all the names on your list and ask this individual to send you
information prior to your meeting. When you receive this information You will
get an impression about the person. Do these items look professional? If not,
you may find yourself asking the question, "If they are not marketing
themselves professionally, how will they market my home?"
Also, keep track of this person's communication
with you. Do they respond to your request for information, quickly and in a
friendly, helpful manner? Do they treat you with dignity and respect? What is
your sense of this person? Do they appear pushy and overbearing? Are you
comfortable with them? Trust your feelings. If this person handles your requests
in a less than professional manner, it is likely they will also handle
potential buyers for your home the same way. You could lose a sale and even
worse - the best price for your home.
If you feel comfortable with this initial
communication, invite the REALTOR® to make a listing presentation to
you. You may want to meet with two or three REALTORS® from different
companies before you make a final decision.
Question 2
Are you a full-time or part-time REALTOR®?
I recommend working with a full-time REALTOR®because their primary focus is on Real Estate
therefore are able to keep up with the pace and complexity of today's rapidly
changing marketplace, respond to your needs promptly and work for you
full-time.
Question 3
On average, how many properties do you sell in a year?
The giving the highest number is not necessarily the right professional
for you so it's imperative to know they are able to provide personalized
customer service and will fulfill your changing needs during and after the sale
takes place.
Question 4
How long do your listings remain on the market?
There are many factors
involved with how many days your home/property will be on the market.Your REALTORS®initial and
ongoing market analyses are major factors however so is how well your
home/property is presented during each showing/Open House and how well you and
your REALTOR® communicate and work together.For example, your REALTOR®can strongly suggest a price adjustment
is required to be proactive with the constantly changing market however if
you're not able to trust their advise and agree this will also be a significant
factor you'll be on the market.
Question 5
What professional certifications do you hold?
REALTORS® that continually
invest in continuing education within their industry are passionate about their
industry, keen to strengthen their skills and have the most current information
which directly affects how successful your sale is.Certifications to be aware of are:
Condominium
Specialist Certificate
ABR - Accredited
Buyer's Representative®
NAR - GREEN®
Effective
Negotiation
NAR -
Resort and Second Home Specialist
NAR -
Senior Real Estate Specialist
Home
Staging Professional
Luxury
Home Marketing
Question 6
What is your marketing plan for my home/property?
REALTORS® have many marketing tools and
strategies which include MLS® (Multiple Listing Service® ),
open houses, their own website, virtual tours, welcome brochures, for sale
signs, etc.I recommend that your
REALTOR® have an effective and flexible marketing plan because each
home/property has unique features and benefits.
Question 7
What emphases do you place on staging?
As you know, there's only one chance to make a
memorable first impression and staging your home/property to maximize its
features is the most effective way to stand above all the rest.Find out what services each REALTOR®offers to make sure your property shows at
its very best.
Question 8
How will you keep me informed?
Discuss and agree upon how you both would like to be
kept informed.Do you wish to receive
weekly emails or phone or just when there's activity with comparable
properties?How much notice/if any
before showings do you need?
Question 9
How did you arrive at the listing price?
The right or wrong listing price affects the length
of time your home stays on the market and ultimately, your net profits. If a
REALTOR® suggests too high a price, your home could languish on the
market. At the same time, do not settle for a low price, to sell too quickly.
Your REALTOR® should be able to justify the price with a comparison
to other properties and the market.
Question 10
Can you give me some references or testimonials?
Ask each REALTOR® to provide names of
satisfied clients or review the testimonial letters found on their website.
Here are some questions to ask your REALTOR®'s
past clients:
How long was your home on the market?
Do you feel the REALTOR® priced it
realistically?
What was it originally listed at? What was the
selling price?
What type of marketing did the REALTOR®
do?
Did the REALTOR® suggest how to
make your home more marketable?
Did the REALTOR® keep his promises?
Did he do what he said he would do?
Were you kept informed along the way? How
often did you talk?
How many offers did you get?
During the closing process, did the REALTOR®
have good customer service?
What did you like most about the REALTOR®?
Was there anything about the REALTOR®
that you didn't like?
Would you use this REALTOR® again?
Question 11
When does the listing agreement begin and end?
Discuss with each REALTOR® what their
policy is regarding terminating a Listing or Buyer Brokerage contract if you
are not satisfied with their services or you wish to discontinue the process.
Question 12
What is the commission structure?
Have a clear understanding of the commission
structure so you know exactly what you're paying for.
