Top 10 Questions to Ask Your Listing Agent

Ten questions you must ask before you list your home.

Many home sellers list with the first agent who comes along thinking all Realtors® are alike. That can be a critical mistake! You need to place the responsibility of selling your home with someone who has knowledge, experience, a marketing plan, and a consistent track record for selling homes.

Here are ten questions that will help you in making the right decision when it comes to choosing the best real estate agent to list and sell your home.

	#1 Could you send me information about yourself?
	You can get a good idea which agents are the most professional by looking at their own promotional materials. If their materials are not professional, how well are they going to market your home? Track how long each agent takes to respond to your request and how quickly they follow up. If they do not respond efficiently to your requests, imagine how they will handle potential homebuyers.

	#2 What experence do you have in selling homes in my area?
	Look for an agent who has experience with homes similar to yours and is active in your area. If your home has special features, look for an agent with experience in those areas. Your agent should have a good record of selling homes, not just listing them. After all, this is your ultimate goal.

	#3 What is your average length of time from list to sold?
	Don't automatically assume the shorter time on the market the better. That could reflect selling homes quickly at low-ball prices. The best way to judge is to compare the original asking price to the final sold price. An agent who sells close to the asking price is effective in helping his clients determine the right price and achieving that goal.

#4 How long have you been a Realtor® and how many homes do you sale per year?

Longevity is not a good judge of knowledge and skill. Agents that have been in the business for several years may still lack knowledge and experience, whereas an agent who has been in business for 4 years may be a top producer. You need a Realtor® with a track record for consistently closing sales! At minimum, this track record should show the sale of ten (10) homes totaling not less than $1,500,000 per year.

	#5 Do you have an assistant or support staff?
	By employing someone to handle the details of their business the agent can spend more time servicing your needs. However, make sure you know how much time an agent will spend and how much time their assistant will spend on the sale of your home. It may be fine if the assistant does most of the legwork as long as the agent is there at the most critical times of the transaction.

	#6 How often will you hold an open house? Will they be public or by appointment only?
	Simply putting a sign on your lawn and holding open houses every Sunday will not sell your home. Look for an agent with a specific plan for each open house. The plan should be just one facet of a complete marketing plan.

#7 What listing price do you recommend and what is that price based on?

Correct pricing is the most critical step to selling your home. Take great care in choosing an agent with the knowledge to price your home effectively. Keep in mind your asking price should attract prospective buyers to your home, reflect the condition of your home, and get you top dollar for current market conditions. Be realistic and avoid “yes agents”, who say “yes” to any request and allow you to list at an unattainable price. These agents simply want to place a sign (i.e. an advertisement for them) in your yard so that they may attract homebuyers in order to sell them another home that is correctly price while your home languishes on the market. Also, avoid Low-ball agents who try to talk you into an artificial price simply to get a quick sell.

#8 What does the listing agreement entail, and what are the fee amounts I will be paying?

A good agent will go over every detail in the listing agreement making sure you understand it completely. Make sure the beginning and ending dates are on the agreement. Know exactly what fees you will be paying and remember that less is not always better. If the agent stands to make very small commission, you can bet it will reflect in the amount of time and effort spent on marketing your home. If the agent reduces their commission to get the listing, it may mean they intend to spend less promoting your property. Commission varies from region to region, but is typically between 5 and 7 percent.

	#9 What disclosure laws apply to me?
	Create a home marketing file including a property fact sheet, a property disclosure statement, pest control report, property profile from the title company, and special equipment report for pools, sprinklers, and alarm systems. Your agent should be able to handle this for you.

	#10 What separates you from your competition?
	Do you have 24-hour advertising capability? Are you a member of the local board of Realtors®? Are you a member of the Georgia and/or Tennessee Association of Realtors®? Are you a member of the National Association of Realtors®? Are you a member of the area Multiple Listing Service (MLS)? Are you a member of a state-wide Multiple Listing Service, such as the Georgia FMLS? Agents who are innovative and offer new methods of attracting homebuyers, such as the Internet, will measurably outperform agents who rely on methods of the past. Marketing effectively in the year 2009 and beyond requires progressive strategies that add value and service for both buyers and sellers!