Choose a Realtor | Questions to Ask Your Real Estate Agent

Buying or selling real estate is probably the most significant transaction you'll ever make in your life. That's why it's important to choose the best Realtor to help you achieve this goal. But before you hire the services of a top real estate agent granite bay, there are important factors to consider.

Experience in Real Estate

The first thing you need to ask a real estate agent is how long they've been in the real estate business. It doesn't mean that you cannot enlist the services of newly licensed real estate agents. Just keep in mind that those who have years of experience under their belts are probably more knowledgeable on what to do, from listing to closing. Aside from the number of years in the business, ask them what segment of real estate they focus on - residential, commercial, luxury, etc.

Average Sale Ratio

The sale to list price ratio is the final sales price divided by the listing price, expressed as a percentage. If it is 100%, it means the sales price was equal to the list price. You can view this ratio in two ways. A skilled listing agent can negotiate sales prices that are equal to or close to the list price, and sometimes even greater in a very competitive market. So ideally, listing agents should have sale-to-list price ratios closer to 100%.

Marketing Strategies

Deciding on what strategies to use can spell the difference between success and failure. A poor marketing strategy will diminish the chances for success. Do your own due diligence by asking how the agent will sell your property. There are lots of options - staging, open houses, joint marketing, print advertising, and of course, online marketing. Whatever approaches are used, they should be designed to bring in the highest number of qualified potential buyers.

References

Reputation is important in this line of business. Whether you're buying or selling a property, you should ask for references. If possible, call a few and ask them about their experiences with the agent. Were they pleased with the service provided? Also ask if they are in any way related to the agent. A list of references made up of friends or relatives generally won't provide an objective assessment of the agent's qualifications.