Selling a home is one of the most important things you will ever do in your life. Your success will be determined by your choice of broker and agent. Here are several questions to ask each agent prior to making your selection. Either you control the agent interview or the agent will. Compare apples to apples by asking the same questions of each agent interviewed.
- How long have you been in business? Are you full time? (60% of Realtors in IL. have less than 3 years experience!)
- How many listings did you sell in the last year?
- What is your average list price to sales price ratio?
- What percentage of your listings sell?
- How many days on the market are your listings before they sell?
- How many Sellers did your company successfully serve in the past 12 months?
- Will you advertise both price & address of our home in your ads? (Never hire an agent that doesn’t!)
- Approximately how many home buyers does your company serve in a year?
- Does your company have a Web site on the Internet? (Do you have your own Web site as an agent?)
- What makes your marketing plan better than other agents? Always require agents to bring examples of marketing materials. Your home will only look as good to buyers, as their materials do to buyers.
- Do you have personal assistants? Are they licensed? A team of specialists can perform more efficiently and effectively for you.
- Do you offer an escape clause in your listing contract if we’re not satisfied? (Never hire an agent without one!)
- Will you provide us with a “Market Activity Report” from the MLS on both yourself & your company for the past 12 months? (trust but verify information provided by agents!)
- Do you advertise Reduced on your yard sign, or in advertising? (Never hire an agent that advertises price reduced, it stigmatizes your home!)
- What is the amount of compensation your broker will offer buyer brokers? (Important to be competitive.)
