3 Questions You Should Ask A Real Estate Agent Before Hiring Them To Sell Your House

Real Estate May 4, 2021

So you've decided to sell one of the biggest investments in your life. Congrats! It's important to know what to ask when interviewing agents. That's why we're letting you know the inside scoop on what to ask real estate agents before hiring one.

Here are 3 questions we don't hear enough from sellers that they should be asking:

1. How will you be investing in my home?

Here's an example of some of the things your agent should be doing for you:

getting professional photos, floor plans, video and/or any other special marketing
pulling CO's, survey and applicable documents with the town/village
promoting your house on social media, local paper, every door direct mailings, etc.
adding your home to MLS which syndicates to Zillow/Trulia, Realtor.com, etc.
writing a professional description
hosting open houses, installing a lawn sign
screening buyers and negotiating offers

Try asking "What makes your marketing unique." or "How will you make my home stand out."

2. How well do you know my community?

Being well versed in a community that the house is located in is imperative to selling it! Knowing the proximity to parks, beaches, train stations, schools, libraries, villages, etc. is beneficial when talking to potential buyers. Also the knowledge on town ordinances, associated fees for villages, and special associations, provides value to you as the seller as well as potential buyers.

3. Will you be the only agent showing my house?

When you hire a real estate agent, that agent should know every detail about your house. That being said, imagine hiring an agent and them not being there to show the property or having YOU as the seller show your own house? It's important that the listing agent be present for every showing, this way when potential buyers have questions they can be answered correctly in the best way to showcase the home.

*Ask about lock boxes! Some agents use lock boxes, typically on vacant homes. Read why we wouldn't advise on using them here.

Bonus Question: What happens if you also represent the buyer?

Your listing agent will represent you. But what happens if your listing agent also represents the buyer? This an important question that gets overlooked often and should be discussed with your agent when the listing documents are being signed.