Whether you’re buying a home or selling one, choosing the right Realtor® to work with is super important! So, rather than hiring the first agent you see on a billboard, it’s important to do your research and be open to multiple options.
When it comes to finding the right agent, there are really no bad questions – regardless of how specific or unique they may be. At the end of the day, the agent you choose to work with will play a big role in how successful you are in reaching your real estate goals. So, it’s good to be thorough when chatting with potential candidates. A good agent will welcome any and all questions you may have and appreciate your discerning attitude.
Without further adieu, let’s jump into the ins and outs of agent interviews.
Must Ask Questions
While most of the questions you should ask a Realtor® before hiring them will be specific to your goals, there are a few must-ask questions that are important regardless of whether you’re buying, selling, or both.
Here are some catch-all questions that apply to any real estate journey.
How Long Have You Been a Realtor®?
Experience is arguably the most important quality to look for when hiring a real estate agent – especially when you consider how the industry can fluctuate and change on the fly as markets shift.
While newer agents can be energetic and eager, those with more experience often have a deeper understanding of various market circumstances and will be able to navigate complex transactions more smoothly.
What Market(s) Do You Specialize In?
In real estate, market trends can change at a hyper-local level – right down to the neighbourhood or even the street. That being said, if you’re selling a home, you’ll want to work with an agent who is local to your community. When buying a home, you’ll want to partner with someone who specializes in the same market you’ll be buying in.
How Big is Your Team?
When you hire a Realtor®, you’re also hiring their team. With that in mind, you’ll want to know about their agency, brokerage, and who they work with. This can help you get an idea of what resources they’ll use to support your goals.
Curious about the value of working with an experienced, local real estate team? Explore these related readings next!
If You’re Buying a Home
Starting with buying, here are three big questions you’ll want answers to before you choose an agent to work with.
How Do You Source Potential Properties?
One of the primary responsibilities of a buyer’s agent is to sort through hundreds (sometimes thousands) of for-sale homes to find the ones that best match your needs. Rather than simply scrolling through MLS listings, an experienced Realtor® will have refined tactics to efficiently match you with the right homes.
On that note, be sure to ask about their connections to privately listed or off-market homes as this could give you a potential advantage in finding the perfect property before other buyers do.
How Would You Help Me Win a Bidding War?
In competitive markets, bidding wars can be common. As a buyer, you’ll want to have confidence that your agent can help you stand out from competing offers.
What Property Types Do You Specialize In?
If you’re looking for a specific or unique type of home, such as a hobby farm, acreage, or waterfront property, you’ll want to work with an agent who directly specializes in that type of real estate.
If You’re Selling a Home
Now it’s the sellers’ turn. Here are a few questions to ask an agent before you sign them on to sell your home.
How Many Homes Have You Sold in My Area?
Once again, location plays a major role in an agent’s expertise. You’ll want to know how many homes they’ve sold in your community over the past 2 years and throughout their career.
How Should I Prepare My Home For the Market?
Nine times out of ten, getting the best result from your home sale will require a little bit of preparation – think home repairs and upgrades, staging, and pricing. With that in mind, you’ll want to work with a Realtor® who has the right strategies to help you achieve the best result possible. If an agent suggests listing your home as-is, it could be a red flag.
How Do You Market Your Listings?
Once your home hits the market, it’s your agent’s job to get as many eyes on it as possible. So, you’ll want to know exactly how they plan on doing that. Every Realtor® is unique, however, they should have a number of marketing and advertising tactics in place to maximize your home’s reach.
Choosing the right agent is extra important when you’re looking to buy or sell a unique type of property. Check out these related blogs for more insights.
- Why You Should Sell Your Rural or Agricultural Property With a Specialist
- Buying a Fixer-Upper: How Much Work is Too Much?
- 5 Things to Know Before You Buy a Home in the Country
Working With the Right Agent
Are you looking to find the best possible Realtor® for you? Let us introduce ourselves.
At Puckrin & Latreille, we’re a family-led team of real estate professionals who are proud to live and work in Durham Region and the Kawartha Lakes.
Having bought and sold virtually every type of home, in every kind of market condition since the ‘70s, few teams boast the same real-world experience and expertise as we do. Whatever your goals may be, our team has the insights, know-how, and connections to make your real estate dreams a reality.
Looking for a real estate team that can help you reach your goals with ease? We’re here for you. Call 905-985-7300 to reach our team or click here to send us an email.
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