Selling a home is not only one of the biggest business transactions anyone will ever make in their lifetime, but it is also an emotionally challenging and time consuming endeavor. Making informed choices therefore, is crucial to a successful sale and this means treating your first meeting with an agent as an interview. By asking the right questions, you get to select an agent who will educate you as a homeowner, effectively market your property and gain your trust from the get-go. These are the top five questions every seller should ask their potential agent.
What Are Your Credentials?
Ask potential agents if they belong to organizations such as the National Association of Realtors. Membership will mean they have received additional training and adhere to a code of ethics.
Keep in mind that you are aiming to form a healthy, professional relationship –so don’t be afraid to ask about the agent’s history, work ethic and motivation. Ask if they are full-time or part-time agents, how many sellers they are currently representing and what other certifications and designations they have, in order to guarantee that they have received proper education and training.
What Is Your Experience?
While experience won’t always measure skill, most real estate agents with enough sales under their belts are more comfortable and confident with handling the sales of homes from listing to closing. Equally important, ask about the agent’s recent listings and local expertise. Agents should be familiar with local inventory and neighborhood trends.
What is your marketing plan for my home?
Agents are sales people, and effective marketing will help set the stage for a successful sale. Find out what the agent’s approach will be for raising your home’s visibility offline and online. How many photos will be needed? Will a professional photographer be hired? Will virtual tours be offered? A marketing plan should be clear, straightforward and aggressive enough that you are confident that the tools utilized will help create interest for potential buyers.
How and When Do We Communicate?
Whether you find daily updates a nuisance or feel more confident with regular reassurances, great agents will talk to you about your expectations and needs, and will implement a communication plan that will suit you best. As a seller, you should have clear expectations on the frequency of contact and should be informed of what media will be used. Whether via text, call or email, communication details should be clear and upfront.
What Should I Do to Prepare My House for Sale?
A good agent should be able to provide useful advice regarding home repairs and upgrades. Determine if staging services are needed, or if a good cleaning and decluttering are all it takes. Most agents aren’t professional stagers, but they are knowledgeable in providing excellent contacts to help improve the marketability of your property. Keep in mind that repairs and upgrades are necessary to increase the price of your listing.
When it comes to finding your dream Los Angeles property, Tomer and Isidora Fridman are experts in the Southern California real estate market. With an unparalleled knowledge of property values, they are continually dedicated to ensuring their clients’ real estate goals are met. The Fridman Group always stays one step ahead of changing trends, ensuring market transitions prove advantageous to their clients.
