Pulse Realty & Investments

Not all real estate agents are the same, picking an agent is one of those critical issues that can impact your bottom line a lot! There are specific questions you should ask to ensure that you get the best representation for your needs. It's critical that you make the right decision about who will handle what is likely the single largest financial investment you will ever make.

Hiring an agent is just like any hiring process – you're on the boss's side of the desk!

1. What makes you different? Why should I list my home with you?

What unique marketing plans and programs does this agent have in place to make sure that your home stands out favorably versus other competing homes? What things does this agent offer you that others don't to help you sell your home in the least amount of time with the least amount of hassle and for the most amount of money?

2. What is your company's track record and reputation in the market place?

If you're like many homeowners, you've probably heard to agents boasting about being #1 for this or that, or quoting you the number of homes they've sold. After all, the only thing you care about is whether they can sell your home. Well, because you want your home sold fast and for top dollar, you should be asking the agents you interview how many homes they have sold. If one agent is selling a lot of homes where another is selling only a handful, ask yourself why?

What things are these two agents doing differently? You may be surprised to know that many agents sell fewer than 10 homes a year. This volume makes it difficult for them to do full impact marketing on your home, because they don't have the resources it takes to afford the advertising and special programs to give your home a high profile.

3. What are your marketing plans for my home?

How much money does this agent spend in advertising the homes s/he lists versus the other agents you are interviewing? In what media (newspaper, magazine, TV etc.) does this agent advertise? What does s/he know about the effectiveness of one medium over the other?

4. What has your company sold in my area?

Agents should bring you a complete listing of both their own, and other comparable sales in your area.

5. Does your Broker control your advertising or do you?

If your agent is not in control of their own advertising, then your home will be competing for advertising space not only with this agent's other listings, but also with the listings of every other agent in the brokerage.

6. On average, when your listings sell, how close is the selling price to the asking price?

This information is available from the Real Estate Board. Is this agent's performance higher or lower than the board average? Their performance on this measurement will help you predict how high a price you will get for the sale of your home.

7. On average, how long does it take for your listings to sell?

This information is also available from the Real Estate Board. Does this agent tend to sell faster or slower than the board average? Their performance on this measurement will help you predict how long your home will be on the market before it sells.

8. How many Buyers are you currently working with?

Obviously, the more buyers your agent is working with, the better your chances are of selling your home quickly. It will also impact price because an agent with many buyers can set up an auction-like atmosphere where many buyers bid on your home at the same time. Ask them to describe the system they have for attracting buyers.

9. Do you have a reference list of clients I could contact?

Ask to see this list, and then proceed to spot-check some of the names.

10. What happens if I'm not happy with the job you are doing? Can I cancel my contract?

Be wary of agents that lock you into a lengthy listing contract in which they can get out of (by ceasing to effectively market your home) but you can't. There are usually penalties and broker protection periods which safeguard the agent's interests, but not yours. How confident is your agent in the service s/he will provide you? Will s/he allow you to cancel your contract without penalty if you're not satisfied with the service provided?

Evaluate each agent's responses to these 10 questions carefully and objectively. Who will do the best job for you? These questions will help you decide.