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7 Questions to Ask Your Real Estate Agent Before Hiring Them

Posted On Tuesday, 04 January 2022 20:43
7 Questions to Ask Your Real Estate Agent Before Hiring Them

Whenever you are getting into a relationship, you first get to know the person, and you do that by asking the right kind of questions because you consider that relationship as an important part of your life.

 A relationship between a real estate agent and a client is nothing short of that. In fact, it is pretty much like the whole dating scenario. In the first meeting, you ask your real estate agents questions to determine if they will be a good fit for your demands. That is because you are willing to trust that agent to help you in the most important decisions of your life, like buying and selling a property.

There has to be a connection between the agent and the client for the deal to work out profitably for both. Once you have searched the real estate agent directory and selected the agent that looks suitable to cater your demands, you have to ask them the right kind of questions. 

Some of them are listed below!

  1. 1. Do you have a license?

First and foremost, you need to be sure that the person you are going to work with is a licensed agent and is bound to follow the ethical code. 

This simple question will have that real estate agent taking out their license and showing it to you, which will give you proof and surety that you are working with an accredited and trained professional.

A reputable and ethical agent wouldn’t have any problem showing their license to you, so you don’t have to hesitate while asking this question.

  1. 2. How long have you been in business?

You want a real estate agent that knows what they are doing, and that comes from enough experience. If the real estate agent you are talking to is relatively new, they might not be familiar with the neighborhood you are looking to buy or sell in – and that can prolong the job. 

However, if they have years of experience in the market and familiarity with the neighborhood, your demands can be met by them quickly.

  1. 3. What exactly are you offering me?

One would think that all real estate agents basically do the same job – acting as a broker between buyer and seller. However, what differentiates one real estate agent from another is the provisions they are offering their clients. 

If you ask your real estate agent straightforwardly about what exactly they are offering that can convince their clients to stick with them, you would know the list of factors that differentiates this agent from that agent. And that will help you make a better, wiser decision.

  1. 4. How often would you be available?

This is one of the most important questions in this list because it will let you know-how available and communicable the agent would be. 

For instance, if a great house shows up on the market, how long will it take an agent to contact you about it and show it to you? If the agent only does visits on weekends, then the house would be gone even before you walk inside.

Therefore, you need to be cautious about part-time agents. They should take their availability seriously, or you can find another agent.

  1. 5. How many clients do you currently have?

It is crucial that you get to know the number of clients your agent is currently representing, and how many of them are buyers and sellers. That helps you determine if the agent is more experienced in representing buyers or sellers. 

With that information, if you are selling, then you want someone who is more experienced in the listing, and if you are buying, your agent should be more experienced in representing the buyers.  

  1. 6. Do you know “this” and “that?”

A good real estate agent should have a vast network, and that should include the names of other relevant professionals. For instance, if you need to make repairs, an agent should refer you to some handymen. If you need to consult legality, an agent should get you a number of an estate lawyer.

Similarly, mortgage advisors, insurance agents, house cleaners, home stagers, and moving companies are just some of the people you can get contacts from your real estate agent. That does not only help your cause but also informs you about how expanded your agent's network is.

  1. 7. How do your fees work?

Usually, if you are a buyer, you shouldn’t have to worry about commission. That is because listing agents work under split commissions, and when the seller pays a listing agent 6 percent commission, half of it goes to the agent who represented the buyer.

However, just to make sure that there are no hidden charges or unusual policies, ask about the fee procedure upfront. While you should always negotiate fees, it should not be the only factor you should base your decision upon. 

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