Has the thought of “Do I need a realtor to sell my house?” been on your mind for so long? And you’re confused about which realtor to choose from the plethora of agents in the US market?
Let’s help you decide on the best realtor by preparing a list of the most crucial questions to ask!
Here Are Some Must-Ask Questions Before Finalizing Your Realtor
Q- Do I need a realtor to sell my house, or can I do the entire process alone?
A- This question might seem vague. But it’s a smart one to ask. To undertake the entire process yourself, start by listing a checklist of things to do, like pricing the property, marketing, managing showings, negotiating, handling paperwork, and closing the deal. This gives you a clear picture of the time, effort, and expertise required. It will provide you with an idea of the process, and you can take a call about what to do.
Q- What are the expenses involved?
A- People often do not know that several expenses are incurred while selling a home. One of the things to ask real estate agents is how much the total cost will be. You can then decide if you want to continue the process or prepare for it for a bit. Unexpected expenses and payments may come as a surprise to you.
Q- What are the marketing channels you plan to use?
A- The most crucial part of selling a home is choosing the right marketing channel. A good realtor knows which property to market and where to market it. They can market it through social media handles, listing platforms, local networking, or hosting open house visits. Before the final handshake with the realtor, asking this question will mentally prepare you for many things. For instance, if they plan to do open house visits, you might have to be ready to host that if you live on the same property.
Q- Have you sold any similar properties before?
A- Every real estate agent will promise to sell your home. But you need more than promises! Asking them about their past experiences selling similar homes will give you a better idea. Real estate agents should know the neighborhood’s possible selling points if they have sold houses there.
Q- How often will you update me?
On average, it takes 78.5 days to sell a house. During this entire period, the realtor might not give you updates every single day. You should ask this question if you want to stay informed and speak with the realtor frequently.
As you list down the expectations from your realtor, the process will become even smoother.
Q- How do I get my house ready?
This is a great question to ask. Sometimes, the property you’re selling might need minor repairs or readjustments. Making the home ready for sale will increase its resale value.
Taking these extra steps shows buyers that the home has been well cared for. The best part is that a realtor will list all the necessary repairs. This way, you will not overspend on repairs. So, if the question is, “Do I need a realtor to sell my home?” pops into your head again, the answer is a big YES!
Q- What strengths do you have over your competitors?
Asking this question to a realtor might seem bossy, but trust us, it is not. You will be searching for particular qualities that the prospective real estate agent believes set him apart from others. For instance, he may be very good at bargaining or always reachable by phone.
Q- How much will you charge?
Getting a quote from the realtor even before meeting them for the first time helps a lot. If they are way above your budget, you can decide not to meet them in the first place. If you can afford them, it makes sense to meet them. Here, you should carefully ask about all charges, including their commission, marketing fees, and potential staging or photography costs.
The bottom line
The list of questions to ask a realtor is quite long. Every question matters, and every question you ask will give you helpful information. So, while you brainstorm, do I need a realtor to sell my house? Prepare your list of questions. Kim Eckert Homes is a team of professionals experienced in different aspects of real estate and can make selling a home easy and smooth for you.
