It is important to choose the right REALTOR®
for you. Interview at least three agents before making
a choice. Here are some questions to ask a prospective
agent to represent you in the sale of your home:
Questions Sellers Should Ask in Agent Interviews:
Is your license in good standing?
You can check a REALTORS® certification yourself
at MLS.ca. Avoid working with a REALTOR® whose
license is not in good standing.
How many years of education and experience
do you have?
Experience and continuing education typically make
for better REALTORS®.
How many homes have you sold in my neighbourhood?
A REALTOR® who specializes in the area
in which you are selling your home is preferable.
This REALTOR® will be the most familiar with recent
sales activity and will be able to recommend a good
market price for your home.
At what price do you think my home can
sell given the current market?
This will allow the REALTOR® to display his knowledge
of your market.
How many other sellers are you representing
now?
The busiest agents often are the most efficient.
Will you handle all aspects of my transaction
or will you delegate some tasks to a sales associate
or administrative assistant?
A knowledgeable assistant can be invaluable, but make
sure that you can connect with your agent when you
need to.
How much can I expect to pay?
Commissions are negotiable depending on what kind
of listing arrangement you have with your REALTOR®.
Can you give me a Comparative Market Analysis
(CMA) of recent sales in the area and homes currently
on the market?
This should contain listing and sales prices for recently
sold homes as well as sales prices and the listing
date of homes currently for sale. It also should include
detailed property descriptions (such as square footage
and numbers of bedrooms and baths).
What does your marketing package contain
in addition to a Comparative Market Analysis?
Listing presentations should also include a suggested
asking price for your home, information on the local
housing market, advertising plans, a discussion of
various listing agreements, and an analysis of sale
proceeds at various price points and commission levels.
Can I list my house with you for 60 to
90 days?
Most consumer experts agree that a three-month listing
period, or less, is best. You can always renew the
listing agreement at that time.
Where will you advertise my home for sale
to attract buyers?
Most REALTORS® will provide you with
a list of newspaper outlets and Internet web sites
where they will pay to advertise your home in order
to sell it within your timeframe.
