Selling a house is a huge milestone in life — one that will have financial ramifications that last for years to come. Thus, you’ll want to hire the right real estate agent who brings experience, expertise, and professionalism to the table. Your agent’s skill will significantly affect how much your home sells for and how quickly. Depending on what information your real estate agent provides, it can help maximize the value of your sale or cause a delay. Choosing the best agent is critical to your success, and knowing which questions to ask when selecting a listing agent is crucial.
Why?
The right Realtor can sell your home faster, make you more money, and minimize stress throughout the process. The wrong person, however, can have the complete opposite effect. So, how do you know if you’re hiring the right listing agent? That’s simple. You need to ask the right questions. Beyond that, you need the correct answers. Before discussing those questions, let’s break down what a real estate agent does.
What does a real estate agent do?
Real estate agents bring a lot to the table. In today’s information technology age, it’s easy to think that a new home is accessible without the help of an agent. However, real estate agents are critical components of every real estate transaction. They are the experts on your existing neighborhood, suggesting upgrades to maximize value, helping you find the perfect new home, and providing the connections you otherwise wouldn’t have, like with the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) database.
An expert agent will walk you through the entire selling process, from preparing your home to accepting an offer to signing contracts. Doing all the legwork, paperwork, and legal work alone could cost you money, time, and stress. An agent’s top priority will be making your home sale as streamlined and stress-free as possible.
An expert agent will walk you through the entire selling process, from preparing your home to accepting an offer to signing contracts. Doing all the legwork, paperwork, and legal work alone could cost you money, time, and stress. An agent’s top priority will be making your home sale as streamlined and stress-free as possible.
What are the different types of real estate agents?
While searching for an agent, it’s important to note that you may come across some certifications and titles you might not recognize. Here are the most common real estate certifications and what they mean.
Realtor
A Realtor is a licensed real estate agent and a National Association of Realtors (NAR) member. These agents are held to a strict Code of Ethics and governing rules, which outline their duty to their clients, the public, and other real estate professionals.
Certified Residential Specialist
Certified Residential Specialist agents are trained in buying and selling residential properties. They go through a thorough course on the ins and outs of residential sales before earning this certification.
Accredited Buyer Representative
These agents are specialized in working with buyers and have in-depth knowledge of how to help buyers through every step of the home-buying process.
As you can see, there are several types of real estate agents, each useful depending on your situation. So, if you’re ready to look for a professional agent to represent you in your home-selling journey, these are the top three questions you should ask.
As you can see, there are several types of real estate agents, each useful depending on your situation. So, if you’re ready to look for a professional agent to represent you in your home-selling journey, these are the top three questions you should ask.
1. How many homes in my neighborhood have you sold over the past year?
The purpose of asking a question like this is to ensure that you’re working with a listing agent with plenty of selling experience and who knows how to navigate all the pieces of a real estate transaction. The most important part of this question is that they have extensive experience. You don’t want to work with an agent with minimal experience, as that will may your chances of a successful sale.
Real estate markets are regional, meaning that a marketing or pricing strategy that works in one city might be ineffective in the next. To experience a successful, expedient sale, you should work with an agent with plenty of experience in your area.
The more homes an agent has sold in your neighborhood, the more likely they are in tune with the nuances of the local market. They will understand how comparable properties are priced, what the sale-to-list ratios are, and how long homes take to sell — this knowledge goes a long way in affecting how your property should be priced and marketed. Your agent will be able to evaluate the current market to determine the most effective selling strategies and know the best way to close the sale.
Real estate markets are regional, meaning that a marketing or pricing strategy that works in one city might be ineffective in the next. To experience a successful, expedient sale, you should work with an agent with plenty of experience in your area.
The more homes an agent has sold in your neighborhood, the more likely they are in tune with the nuances of the local market. They will understand how comparable properties are priced, what the sale-to-list ratios are, and how long homes take to sell — this knowledge goes a long way in affecting how your property should be priced and marketed. Your agent will be able to evaluate the current market to determine the most effective selling strategies and know the best way to close the sale.
2. What is your average closed sales price?
Why does the average closed sales price matter? The higher their average, the better your chances of gaining a sizeable profit. A bit of research can show you the average sales price in your area and what comparable homes have sold for in recent months. If your chosen Realtor has an average less than the area’s range, your odds of getting a decent profit are smaller. If their average closed sales price is above the norm (or at least more significant than what you seek), you have a solid chance of earning a decent profit. Ultimately, you want to find an agent who will negotiate on your behalf and attempt to earn you as much profit as possible.
3. Do you work with more buyers or sellers in our market?
Real estate agents have different areas of expertise, and their level of knowledge will help you determine whether they are the right person to help sell your home. Many agents have more success with home buyers than sellers. Your best bet is to find someone skilled in both areas of real estate, which will help give you insights into both sides of the process. This question will also reveal which types of transactions the agent is more comfortable with and help you gauge their experience level.
What’s next?
Now that you have some insider information on what to ask your agent, it’s time to start your search for a skilled professional to represent you. If you’re ready to begin selling your home on the Mooresville, NC, real estate market, contact J.Cash Real Estate today. Their expertise and dedication are guaranteed to give you a smooth and stress-free real estate journey.