Home sellers often endure a process fraught with questions centered on everything from how to list the home to ways to prep it for potential buyers. However, the questions start with choosing a real estate agent. Before a seller hires you as a new real estate agent, chances are they will have some questions about everything from your educational background to your experience. They may even quiz you about personal philosophies and why you selected this profession.
Vetting and interviewing
“Many sellers today are vetting their real estate agents and some are interviewing up to four before they make their final selection,” says Travis Gray, Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Annapolis, Maryland. “Along with the most common questions regarding the agent’s experience and statistics, a consumer should ask if the agent is full-time or part-time, what their marketing plan is, how the agent will keep them informed about their transaction, and how frequently.”
Reference requests
A request for references also often accompanies a seller’s inquisition into services. This gives a seller insight into how well the experience has been working with from the viewpoint of other clients. “One question we always advise sellers to ask before hiring a real estate agent is to ask the agent for two to three names of recent clients and for permission to contact these clients,” said Liat Tzoubari, Director of Sales and Marketing for apartment rental website Apartable. “This will allow the seller to hear first-hand about other sellers’ experiences and to understand whether the agent is a good fit for them. We encourage sellers to get this information before making such an important decision.”
Questions sellers are likely to ask a new real estate agent
Knowing the questions that a seller might ask underscores the significance of being prepared and marketing yourself based on your strengths. It’s important to have answers that will not only make real estate prospects feel comfortable with you, but also spur them to choose you over another agent. Consider the following questions a seller might ask and make sure you are prepared with solid answers:
- How long have you been a real estate agent?
- Do you work full-time or part-time?
- How successful have you been in selling homes in my area? What are your sales statistics? Number of homes sold in the last six months? Year? Two years?
- How often will I hear from you?
- What is your strategy to make my listing stand out from the rest?
- What information would you recommend I include in my listing, and why?
- What is your plan if my home is not getting views/prospective buyers after a certain amount of time on the market?
- How familiar are you with the home selling process, and what are some tips that you can recommend to me as a seller?
These are a just a few of the more common questions that a seller might ask a new real estate agent. The bottom line is that it’s important to be prepared for any question that centers on your ability to do the job for which you are being hired. This is the key to successfully landing a new client and will ultimately contribute to a long and prosperous real estate career.
Are you a new real estate agent? Download a free worksheet of questions to guide you in preparing thoughtful answers for your potential real estate clients.
