Did you know that in 2021, 92% of homes sold were done so by a realtor or broker?
If you’re buying or selling a house, you may be searching for a realtor to help you with the process.
Having a realtor can make a big difference. However, you need to have a reputable real estate agent if you want to have a good experience. If you hire someone who isn’t qualified, the process will likely take longer, and you’ll be frustrated along the way.
If you’re wondering which questions to ask a realtor before hiring them, you’ve come to the right place. We will give you seven questions to ask a realtor to help you narrow down the search.
1. How Many Homes Did You Help Buyers Close In the Past Year?
When you’re talking to a realtor, be sure to ask them how many deals they’ve closed in the past year. This is a specific question, and you’ll get a much different answer if you ask, “how many clients have you worked with.”
Asking how many deals they’ve closed will give you an idea of how active they are good they are at their job. Some realtors only work part-time, but they will tell you they work full-time as a realtor. While, at first, it may not seem like a big deal if they have another job, it can affect their communication with you, and it may extend the home buying and selling process.
This question will help you get an idea of how much time they spend working as agents. You can compare their numbers to other agents in the area, which will help you make your decision.
2. What Is Your Schedule?
When you’re making your list of questions to ask a realtor, be sure to ask them about their schedule and when they will be available. Many real estate deals are time-sensitive.
If you’re purchasing a home and one goes on the market that you want to see, you’ll need your agent to get you a showing as soon as possible. If your agent only works weekends in a seller’s market, the home could be gone before you see it.
If you work during the week, you’ll likely need to go to showings on the weekends and at night. If an agent only works during the week, you’ll need to know that information ahead of time.
Talk to a realtor about their preferred mode of communication, too. If you only want to email back and forth, you’ll need to make sure the agent is diligent about checking theirs. You may find it easier to text and call, and in that case, your agent will need to be aware of that.
3. Do You Have Referrals?
Getting a list of referrals is key. If a real estate agent can’t provide references, that’s a big red flag. A realtor can say all the right things in an interview, but that doesn’t mean they are successful.
4. How Long Have You Been a Realtor?
How an agent answers this question shouldn’t be the deciding factor when you’re wondering how to hire a realtor. Having a lot of experience does typically help. However, even new realtors can do a great job.
You can also ask them how long they have been a realtor in your area. An agent that has 15 years of experience selling condos and apartments in big cities may not know the best way to sell your single-family home in a rural area and vice versa.
5. On Average, How Long Are Your Listings On the Market?
When selling a house, you don’t want it to sit on the market for too long. You may be wondering what to ask when selling a house. You need to know how long an agent’s listings stay on the market.
You can take their numbers and compare them to others. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions about outliers. If there are a few homes on the list that took longer than normal, there is likely an explanation.
However, if they can’t explain it, you may want to choose a different realtor. If you’re a buyer, not a seller, you can ask the realtor how long they typically work with clients from start to finish.
6. What Is Your Marketing Plan?
If you’re selling a house, you’ll need to ask your realtor about their marketing strategies. Every agent should come into the deal with a plan on how to sell your home. If they use social media, you can ask about their engagement.
They may have access to other resources as a realtor that they use to sell homes. Each realtor might have a different marketing plan that works for them.
It may be beneficial to ask if they have backup plans. If the house doesn’t sell as quickly as they thought, how will they adjust their marketing to get it sold?
7. Can I See Your Real Estate License
There can be a lot of repercussions if an agent is practicing without a license. Be sure to ask to see it at the beginning of the process. If the realtor gets upset or refuses to show you, move on to the next.
Questions To Ask a Realtor
Now that you know what questions to ask a realtor, you can feel confident starting the search process. Take your time talking and interviewing agents; this will help you find the best one for you and your needs.
If you’re ready to sell your home or if you’re looking to purchase your dream house, contact us. We have helped hundreds of people, and we can help you too.
