Selling your home is a significant decision, so having the right real estate agent is crucial. The key to ensuring a successful and smooth transaction lies in asking the right questions to ask a real estate agent when selling.
This blog post will guide you through the 25 essential questions you should pose to your real estate agent. From understanding their sales strategy to grasping how they will communicate with you throughout the process, these questions will help you gauge their experience, expertise, and suitability for your property sale.
Whether you’re a first-time seller or a seasoned property owner, by the end of this post, you will be better equipped to select an agent who understands your needs and has the proficiency to sell your home efficiently and for the best possible price.
Thinking of selling? Here are 25 questions to ask a real estate agent
Now could be a great time. Australia’s housing market saw a positive start in 2024, with the CoreLogic National Home Value Index (HVI) increasing by 0.4% in January. This rise follows 0.3% increases in both November and December, marking a consistent 12-month period of growth. Better yet, Perth experienced the largest gains during this time.
The first step in your selling journey is picking the right real estate agent, who can secure the best possible price for your property with the least amount of stress.
This guide will cover the top 25 questions to ask a prospective real estate agent when selling. These will help you uncover someone who aligns with your needs. Let’s get started.
Experience and track record
To kick off our list of questions to ask a real estate agent, let’s dive into their experience and track record.
How long have you been working in real estate?
Experienced real estate agents deeply understand the local market and have a proven track record of selling properties. They can offer valuable advice on pricing, marketing strategies, and negotiation tactics.
How do you determine the listing price for a house?
This question will help you understand how the agent will determine an accurate price for your property. An appropriate listing price attracts potential buyers without underselling your home. Agents should consider the current local market conditions, comparable properties for sale in the area, and the unique features of your property.
For an accurate sales appraisal tailored to the Perth market, request your sales appraisal from HKY Real Estate.
Can you share some of your recent sale prices vs. listings?
Ask for specific examples of recent sales. This allows you to gauge the agent’s success rate and the accuracy of their pricing strategy. Look for an agent whose sales prices closely match or exceed their listing prices.
Property valuation
Here are two essential questions to ask real estate agents when selling about property valuation:
How would you determine the value of my property?
An experienced agent will conduct a thorough market analysis, looking at location, property size, condition, and recent sales of similar properties in the area. This analysis establishes a competitive yet realistic price for your home.
Want immediate insight into your local market for a rough idea of your property’s value? View the HKY Real Estate’s Suburb Report now.
What factors could increase my property’s value?
Your agent might suggest minor renovations, staging, or other strategies to make your property more appealing to potential buyers. For example, a home with professional landscaping can sell for 15% to 20% more than a comparable property with less appealing outdoor spaces.
Marketing your property
Effective marketing draws in the right buyers and helps you secure the best possible sale price. Here are three questions to ask a real estate agent about marketing:
How do you plan to market my property?
A strategic marketing plan should include online and offline methods, such as listing on popular real estate websites, social media marketing, online advertising, open houses, and professional photography.
What unique marketing methods do you use?
Look for an agent who uses creative and innovative marketing strategies to make your listing stand out. This could include virtual tours, videos, or targeted social media ads.
How do you plan to make my property stand out?
The right agent will have a clear plan for highlighting your home’s unique features. This might involve staging your home a certain way, using high-quality visuals, or crafting compelling listing descriptions.
Financial considerations
Consider these essential financial questions:
What are your commission fees?
Knowing the commission rates helps you budget for the cost of selling. Find out what services are covered under this fee.
Are there any other costs I should be aware of?
Enquire about additional expenses such as marketing costs or staging. An upfront discussion about these costs will help you avoid surprises later on.
Sales strategy
A property sales strategy aims to sell a property quickly and at the highest possible price, incorporating elements like pricing, marketing, and timing. Here are two vital questions to ask a real estate agent when selling:
What is your recommended selling strategy for my home?
This will uncover the agent’s tailored plan for your property based on the current market, which may include an auction, a private sale, or another approach.
How long do you expect the selling process to take?
Getting an estimated timeline helps manage your expectations and planning, especially if you’re looking to buy another property concurrently.
Local market knowledge
Test their knowledge with these questions:
How well do you know the local real estate market?
An agent with in-depth local market knowledge can offer valuable insights.
What were your last five sales in the area?
This question measures an agent’s success rate and experience in your area. Pay particular attention to the properties that are comparable to yours. Did they achieve a great price?
Identifying potential buyers
Reaching the right buyers is a must. Discuss the following with your agent:
Who is the ideal buyer for my home?
Understanding the target potential buyer profiles—whether families, couples, or investors—allows for a tailored marketing approach. This directs promotional efforts towards those most likely to show interest.
How do you reach and attract these potential buyers?
Experienced real estate agents use a 360-degree marketing plan to attract potential buyers. They leverage online platforms, social media, professional networks, and their mailing lists.
Viewing and inspections
Viewings and inspections are potential buyers’ first impressions of your property. Here’s what you need to ask:
What is your strategy for property viewings and open houses?
An agent’s approach to viewings and open houses directly impacts the visibility and desirability of your property. They should have a clear plan that maximises exposure and accommodates potential buyers’ schedules, making it easy for them to fall in love with your home.
How can I make my home more appealing to potential buyers?
Suggestions include decluttering, repairs, repainting, landscaping, or staging your home to make it inviting. These tips can increase your home’s attractiveness to prospective buyers.
Timing and market conditions
Current market conditions can influence your sale. With a strategic approach, you can take advantage of times when demand is high or supply is low for a quicker sale and possibly a higher price. Here’s what to ask:
Is now a good time to sell my property?
A knowledgeable agent can advise on whether it’s a seller’s or buyer’s market and how you can leverage this for a successful sale.
How long do properties typically stay on the market?
The average time on the market for similar properties in your area can set realistic expectations for your selling process. It also helps you plan your move and future purchases.
What is your strategy for adjusting if my house doesn’t sell quickly?
If properties are selling slower than anticipated, you need a plan. This could mean adjusting the price, ramping up marketing efforts, or making property improvements to increase its appeal.
Closing and negotiations
Closing the deal is where your agent’s negotiation skills come into play.
How do you handle offers and negotiations?
An effective agent navigates offers and negotiations with your best interests front of mind. They should communicate transparently about each offer and guide you on the best response.
What is your success rate in closing deals?
This question provides insight into the agent’s efficiency and skill in concluding sales.
Competitive edge
Choosing the right agent gives you an advantage in the competitive real estate market. Here’s what to ask:
Why should I choose you as my real estate agent?
You’re looking for what sets them apart from others. This could be their marketing skills, local market knowledge, negotiation skills, or a combination of these factors.
Any additional advice for selling my house?
This open-ended question allows the agent to share further insights or strategies for selling your property. It’s an opportunity to benefit from their expertise and experience.
Get started with HKY today
Asking these questions can help you select a real estate agent who can sell your property for the right price.
At HKY Real Estate, our team in Perth is ready to guide you through the selling process with personalised attention and market expertise. Ready to sell? Let’s talk.
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