6 Questions You Need To Ask A Real Estate Agent Before You Hire One

Posted on June 09, 2015 by Robert Gomez in Purchasing a Home, Selling A Home
  1. Are you a Realtor? All real estate licensees are not the same. Only real estate licensees who are members of the National Assn. of Realtors are called REALTORS® and are committed to treating all parties fairly & honestly. They adhere to a strict code of ethics and maintain a higher level of knowledge of the buying & selling process. A realtor’s expertise will protect you and give better results.
  2. What Designations/Certifications have you earned? Designations and Certifications provide realtors with extra knowledge and skills to reduce risk & increase profitability. The expertise helps to eliminate a lot of stress associated with a high-stakes transaction. The GRI is the highest & most prestigious designation in the industry.
  3. What separates you from the other agents? Passing a test to be a licensed real estate agent is not enough. Negotiation under pressure, ability to master complex & difficult transactions, diverse personalities, professional conduct and assertiveness are just a few of the traits needed to successfully handle a high stakes transaction.  Continuing education to stay abreast of the ever changing laws & policies is critical in today’s market.
  4. What is your marketing plan and strategy for my needs? Listing a house on the Multiple Listing Service isn’t enough. Different situations call for different methods. What will you do & what resources do you have available?
  5. Can you handle the transaction yourself, or will you be paying someone else to handle any of it for you? For example, many agents hire others to handle short sales for them, with no understanding of how the transactions work. The people who are hired are not motivated by your best interest and therefore will not do as good of a job.  This is partly why 3 out 5 short sale transactions fail.
  6. How many real estate transactions have you completed? What types of transactions were they? What is your success rate?  Not all transactions are the same. Make sure you have the right person for the job.