Questions to ask a realtor - Before you hire a Realtor to assist you with the purchase or sale of a home there are a few key questions to ask a Realtor to make sure that the fit is right. These questions will apply to both buyers and sellers and should help narrow down your choice of Realtors.
One of the most important questions to ask a Realtor "Do you know the area i want to buy or sell in"? A Realtor who is knowledgeable about the local market will be able to market your home better and find buyers faster. A Realtor who knows the local area will be able to inform buyers about local shopping, schools and local property trends all of which can be big factors when buying or selling a home.
Another important question to ask a Realtor is "How long have you been licensed". This is important because a new Realtor may not have the knowledge to sell your home quickly or may not have intimate knowledge of the areas you are looking to buy or sell in. However all Realtors must start out and many larger real estate firms have mentoring programs for new Realtors. If your Realtor is a new realtor ask them if they have an experienced mentor to assist them with your transaction, always ask to meet the mentoring Realtor and address any concerns with them as well.
If you are a selling your home you will want to question your Realtor about any associated selling fees and commissions. Many large real estate firms charge 6% and some smaller discount brokerages charge 2-4% commission to sell your home. Many of these fees are negotiable at the beginning of the transaction. Ask the Realtor what they will do to market your home for the fee you are paying them. A good realtor will use networking, Internet, MLS listings and many other avenues to sell your home quickly and will be able to explain that plan to you in detail. Avoid Realtors who do not have a solid marketing plan to promote your home.
Home buyers should ask their Realtor how they will be made aware of new listings that fit their criteria. Today many realtors will set clients up on an auto search and new listings within the buyers criteria will be E-mailed to them as soon as they hit the MLS. Although good Realtors should still follow up with a phone call to make buyers aware of hot listings they think the buyer may be interested in.
Choosing a Realtor should not be a difficult task to accomplish. With a little research and asking a few key questions your realtor experience can be a positive one.
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