10 Questions to Ask a Realtor® When Selling a House

There are thousands of real estate agents in the Toronto area, all with varying levels of experience and expertise in selling homes. Above-average results are essential for most people planning a move, and the decision of which expert to represent you is too important to leave to chance. We have curated a list of questions to ask a realtor when selling a house, that will help you with how to choose the best a real estate agent that fits your needs.

How do you know what to look for in a Realtor®, and how do you narrow it down to the right skilled and knowledgeable Realtor® to sell your home as seamlessly and successfully as possible? The answers they give to these simple ‘questions to ask a real estate agent’ can make the decision clear.

How much could your home earn in today’s market? Find out by booking your free home evaluation right here.

1. Does the Realtor® Work Locally?

How well does the Realtor® really know your neighbourhood? Skill and expertise come first, but local insight is also essential. Anyone can do a quick Google and gain superficial knowledge about a location. All the same, it takes living nearby to really understand all of the nuances of the community and the local market.

A Realtor® who also calls your neighbourhood “home” has a better chance of selling your home faster and at a higher price. They don’t just know the schools, parks, and restaurants. Their children attend those schools, and they know what restaurants have the best selections and when the specials are. This intimate insight can make a massive difference when showcasing your home.

If a potential buyer has a question, they will be able to answer quickly and with confidence, which can be the deciding factor in whether the buyer places an offer. All things being equal, when one Realtor® lives on the other side of the city and the other lives a block away, your choice becomes much more obvious.

Do you still have questions about how to sell your home in Etobicoke? You’ll find answers in the posts below:

2. Is Your Realtor® Relatable and Trustworthy?

Selling your home is a big decision, and the process can be stressful at times. That’s why you need someone you feel comfortable with and trust to represent you. Anything less, and you won’t necessarily have the selling experience you deserve.

Your real estate agent should be professional yet friendly, hard-working and compassionate. They will safeguard your privacy and always look out for your best interests. Throughout all of this, they should be approachable, and you feel like you can ask them anything.

3. What Was the Agent’s First Impression of Your Home?

It does not bode well if your real estate agent has a less-than-stellar impression of your home. This doesn’t mean that they don’t spot opportunities for improvement – every property has them, and it’s critical to showcase your home in its best light.

However, a good real estate agent needs to be able to see past any surface-level flaws and fully appreciate the potential of the house. A Realtor® who loves your home and would be tempted to buy it themselves (if they were in the market) is the perfect fit to help you get outstanding results.

4. Is the Realtor® Part of a Full-Service Team?

When searching for an expert to sell your home, full-time and full-service are not negotiable. A part-time agent with a full-time career outside of the industry cannot give your sale the time and dedication it deserves.

A discount brokerage leaves too much of the burden on your shoulders. If you have plenty of time to manage your own transaction and the expertise to negotiate the best results, this might work for you.

If life is busy, a full-service real estate team is the only way to proceed. Professionals take care of everything, taking all of the work and stress off your plate. In the end, your home will almost certainly sell faster and for more money than you could earn with a less dedicated agent.

5. What Is Their Marketing Plan?

Getting as much exposure as possible is one of the keys to selling your home. Does your Realtor® have a built-in marketing system to reach potential buyers? This should fully encompass both online and offline platforms, making full use of social media, targeted advertising and high-quality print materials.

In addition, a well-established real estate team will have a vast network of other agents, brokerages, and a database of repeat clients. Sometimes, the right buyer is just an email or phone call away. Whoever you decide to work with, make sure they have a plan to get your listing out into the world.

Want even more tips on how to identify the right expert for your situation? Here’s What to Look For in a Realtor When Selling Your Home.

6. Can Your Real Estate Agent Negotiate Like a Pro?

There are a lot of moving pieces involved with selling a home, and the ability to negotiate is critical. How does your Realtor® plan to assess and respond to incoming offers? Do they have a proven track record of achieving the highest possible price and best terms for the market?

Negotiating isn’t just about the dollar value, however. Sometimes it’s about getting a buyer to remove conditions or be more flexible about your closing date. Whatever your priorities are, your real estate agent should have the skills and the determination to help you achieve your goals.

Active listening, asking insightful questions, and staying calm under pressure are some of the signs of high-level negotiating. Ultimately, your agent should know when to hold firm and when a concession is absolutely necessary.

7. Will Your Agent Work With You Personally?

Large real estate services often have a well-known spokesperson who is the face and personality of the team. This individual is highly regarded as a top performer and a leader in the industry. However, they may have little or nothing at all to do with you throughout your selling process.

Instead, you may end up working with a junior agent or another team member who may or may not have the same level of skill. Before signing a listing agreement, be sure you know exactly who you will be working with on a day-to-day basis.

8. What Level of Service Can You Expect?

Lack of availability and responsiveness is one of the biggest complaints people have when working with a real estate agent. It can feel as though they’ve disappeared the moment the ink is dry on the listing agreement! If they are not communicating with you, can you really be sure they are following up with potential buyers?

Ask your agent how you will contact them and what their availability will be. Even better, reach out to them at their email address or call the phone number on their website. How responsive they are can give you an idea of what to expect later.

How should you prepare your home before putting it on the market? The posts below will give you some ideas:

9. What Is the Commission and What Does it Include?

Real estate commissions are sometimes the elephant in the room, but it’s something you want to address early on. Find out what services are included in the fees.

If an agent steps in to help with your home preparations, staging, arranges for professional photography and has the ability to generate maximum exposure for your listing, those commissions will be well worth it in the end.

10. What Do Previous Clients Have to Say?

A real estate agent can have all the right answers, but nothing speaks more loudly than their track record. You can learn a lot by talking to past clients. If you feel comfortable, ask for some references.

Otherwise, you can also see what people are saying through their Google reviews. If most comments are positive, you can be confident that you are on the right track.

If you ask right questions when selling your house, you will be much better informed to choose the right Realtor®, and your sale can be more successful and less stressful than you realize. It’s worth the time to ask your questions and make an informed decision.

Are you getting ready to sell your home? Our Etobicoke real estate agents are here for you – ask us anything! Contact us at 647-282-7653 or email contact@sileckythompson.com today.

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