5 Questions You Should Ask When Hiring a Real Estate Professional

You got at that point where you’re ready to buy or sell your home and you want the guidance of a real estate professional to help you with the process, but how do you choose the one that is right for you? It’s a good idea to meet with at least a few different real estate professionals before selecting the one you’d like to work with. You should also ask friends or family to recommend someone they have recently worked with. When you are ready to meet with a few representatives, consider asking these questions:
1. What is your experience? Experience is about more than how many years someone has been in the business. A freshly-licensed REALTOR® can do a wonderful job and will have up-to-date training; those in the business longer bring more practical experience to the table. Take the time to learn about the types of properties they typically work with, which cities or areas they work in, and how many homes they helped buy or sell in the past year.
2. What is your approach to the buying or selling process? Specifically, how will you sell my home? Where and how often do you advertise? Will you show me a sample flyer? How do you market online? If you’re buying, how will the representative search for suitable properties and what is their approach to negotiations? By understanding their approach, you’ll know what to expect and will be able to determine which representative’s philosophy and methods align with your preferences.
3. What are the commissions or fees that I will have to pay? Commissions and fees can vary between brokerages and for the services provided, so be sure to understand what will be provided, and what it will cost. Keep in mind that, as with most things, the cheapest deal is not necessarily the best one.
4. What services are gonna be included? Discuss your particular needs and expectations with prospective representatives to ensure they are able to provide the services you expect. For example, when selling, will the representative have professional photos taken of your home? Will they host open houses? What about advertising? Understanding exactly what services will be provided, and documenting them in your written contract will help avoid misunderstandings farther down the process.
5. Will you provide references? As with most job interviews, getting in touch with references is an important step before hiring someone. So, speaking with past clients is a great way to learn more. Were past clients pleased with their experience? Was the representative responsive and easy to get in touch with? Would they recommend them to others? Buying or selling a home is a major decision, so it’s important to take the time to find the right representative for you.

In Canada use the RECO ‘real estate professional search’ feature to ensure your representative is registered.

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