Part 2: The seller’s edition.
As a refresher: While every person comes to a real estate agent with a base or higher level of knowledge, you should be comfortable asking your realtor any question you may have about the process. Just the same, home buyers or home sellers don’t even know what to ask because their base knowledge is so lacking. (And don’t feel bad if you’re one of these, that’s why you typed “real estate agent near me” in the search bar in the first place! I bet you’re an expert in golf. Or baking. Or maybe just baking shows?) Regardless, asking experts (like a good real estate agent) questions is an important step in the home buying or home selling process.
Here’s the quick list for sellers:
***A selling presentation, if you have one, may answer some of these questions, but ask away the questions that aren’t covered!***
- Ask your real estate agent about the benefits of staging— Unless you’re selling an extreme fixer, the question should never be “should I stage?” rather, it should be “what is the benefit of staging?” There are several, and your realtor should be able to illuminate it all.
- Ask your real estate agent about home type and market— It’s really helpful to understand what level home you have in the market you’re in. Is it the fanciest house on the block? The oldest? A dime a dozen? Super unique? What about comparables (comps), what homes does your agent feel are good comps? If different than yours, why? There are many factors a realtor uses to craft a strategic selling price, and these variables are all a part of the equation.
- Ask your real estate agent about improvements— Some homes can really benefit from small cost remodels, fixes, or even the addition of new appliances. Believe it or not, buyers who desire “move in ready” homes will pay significantly more for a home that feels “newer.” There are even low or no-cost renovation loans you can use to pay for these upgrades; definitely ask your agent about this!
- Ask your real estate agent about marketing strategy— How will your agent market the listing? The internet has made it easier than ever to market a home to thousands of buyers with ease. But ask your agent what other strategies they suggest or offer. With a fast-moving market, is it even worth exploring print options? Is it a good idea to craft a mailer for that really unique property? What about local publication ads for a property likely to take a bit longer to sell? Are your efforts better put into digital marketing? Does your real estate agent have buyer contacts they’ll reach out to in their own network? Who pays for marketing expenses?
- Ask your real estate agent about timeline—How long could it take to sell your place? Should you be worried after 2 weeks or a month? What is the timeline for your market right now? Remember, your agent cannot predict the future, but they should have an expectation for your home sale based on the same equation they used to price the home for sale.
- Ask your real estate about what they would do— This one is optional but really important if you find yourself struggling with a decision somewhere in the process. Knowing your real estate agent will not give you legal advice (that’s not a licensed real estate broker’s job), you may find it helpful to understand what they would do in a situation. The big caveat here is this—you are not your real estate agent. But understanding what an experienced professional would do if in your shoes can at least offer insight.
- Ask your real estate agent ANYTHING that comes up! — This is the key. Again, everyone has different levels of knowledge and experience, and this means there is no question too dumb for your real estate agent. Remember, you are hiring “realtors near me” and licensed realtor agents. You are hiring an expert in a field because they have knowledge to offer you: use it!
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