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Questions To Ask Before Hiring A Real Estate Agent

24 June 2020

Cody Day

Whether you are looking to buy or sell a home, you need to hire a real estate agent to represent you in the transaction. This can be more complicated than it sounds since there are hundreds of good agents in most cities! But here's the thing: an agent can be really good, but still not be the right agent for you. Finding the right agent is personal, and it requires that you ask the right questions. Here are the top questions to ask a real estate agent as you try to determine whether they're the best agent to represent you.

Does the agent represent more buyers or sellers?

Some agents represent only buyers, and some only represent sellers. However, most do a little of both. If you are looking for an agent to help you buy a home, look for someone who gets at least half of their business from buyers. And if you're looking to sell, look for an agent who does a lot of selling.

Does the agent utilize social media and other modern marketing techniques?

These days, a lot of real estate marketing is done on social media and online. There are some real estate agents, however, who prefer to take a more old-fashioned approach and advertise on radio, on television, and in the newspaper. Make sure you choose an agent who uses the tactics you are most comfortable with. Also, consider what may be best for the home you're trying to sell. Modern, internet-based tactics are probably best when you're selling a modern condo, but traditional marketing may work best for a country cottage in an older community.

Does the agent provide the photography?

Some agents do their own photography. Others work closely with photographers who do all their photography work for them. Still, others ask that their customers provide the photos. Make sure you are comfortable with how the agent handles their photography. For example, if you are a skilled photographer yourself, you may want to find a real estate agent who lets you provide your own photos of the home.

What is the average sale price of the homes the real estate agent buys and sells?

You want to hire someone who regularly sells homes in a similar price range to your own. For example, you don't want to hire an agent who usually sells $100,000 homes to sell your $500,000 home. They will be less aware of what buyers are looking for in this price range than a real estate agent who typically deals with homes in a higher price bracket.

By asking the right questions, you can do a better job of finding the right real estate agency for you.

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