The Home Selling Process
Step 2: Hiring a Real Estate Agent
Most Americans agree that when it comes to buying or selling a home, a transaction of this magnitude requires the guidance of a professional. In fact, nearly four out of five homebuyers and sellers enlist the help of a real estate agent and/or broker (The 2000 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS Profile of Homebuyers and Sellers).
Contrary to popular belief, not every real estate agent is a REALTOR®. REALTORS® are real estate professionals who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS and subscribe to its strict Code of Ethics. All PURE agents are REALTORS®.
Whether you’re buying or selling a home, you’ll want to choose a professional who meets your professional needs and has a personal style that agrees with your own. Here are some questions that are appropriate to ask when deciding to work with an agent.
- Do you work full time or part time?
- How long have you been selling homes in this area?
- Are you familiar with the areas I’m considering?
- What type of homes do you usually handle?
- What percentage of your business comes from referrals and repeat clients?
- How many sales have you closed?
- How many homes did you sell last year?
- What percentage of your listings sold during the listing period?
- Did they sell close to the asking price?
- On average, how many days do homes stay on the market?
- Will you guide us as we prepare the house to be shown?
- Will we receive a copy of the marketing plan?
- How will you advertise our home? In what publications and when will ads run?
- Will you employ an Internet marketing program?
- When do you plan to hold open houses? How will you advertise an open house?
- Do you plan to do anything else to get the word out?
- How often can we expect to be updated, even if there’s nothing to report?
Aim to select someone who is knowledgeable and with whom you feel comfortable. It almost ensures a productive and mutually rewarding relationship.
