Things you should ask your Real Estate Agent

You have decided to list your holiday home with a real estate agent. That is a wise choice. Now comes the tough part, who? You have a few agents in mind but you are not sure. An interview or listing presentation is an excellent way to find the right agent for your holiday home. There are several things you need to look for in choosing an agent. Here are some questions you should ask.

What did you do before you were an agent? Ask this even if they have been an agent for 20 years. This goes to real life experience. It will also tell you their strengths. Someone with business or marketing experience will have different strengths then someone who was a teacher or cashier.

Why did you become a real estate agent? Really listen to how they answer. You will want to someone who is passionate about their job change. Those are the individuals who will really pour themselves into selling your home.

If all that motivates your agent is how much they are going to make they will not only overprice your home but spend less time and money advertising your home to buyers. They want to net more of the commission.

How are you going to market my home? Have them give you a written plan with publications and dates. Then request that they send you copies of everything they do. If they refuse to, end the interview. You need to be in control of your home and its image at all times. By requesting copies of advertising you can do this. If an agent refuses they most likely are not placing the ads they say they are.

What is your percentage of sales? How many homes they sold last year in comparison to how many they had listed is a much better judge then just the sales number alone. Just because an agent has a huge inventory doesn't mean they are a good agent. If they only have a 30% sales rate the chances of them selling your home are slim. Finding an agent that has a lower inventory, but a higher sales rate is better. Someone who sells 60-70% of listings is obviously better then someone who sells 30%.

Do you have a clean record? Ask them if they have ever been disciplined by the Real Estate Commission. If they have ask for details. The last thing you want to do is sign a contract with a less than honest person. You can look this information up online as well. (The link is on my Links page)

Who is your broker? What assets do they have access to within the brokerage. This is not to say the larger the brokerage the better. Many small brokerages have local appeal and attract buyers like flies to honey.

Always trust your instinct. If you have doubts or if something doesn't seem right, then move on and interview another agent. It is better to interview a hundred agents then to end up unhappy with one.