How to Hire the Best Realtor
It’s not personal, it’s business. Make sure you are interviewing more than one agent before starting your home search.
Questions to ask when interviewing Realtors to list your home. (Will you be my listing agent?)
How long have you been in business? Is this your career or a part-time job?
You might be surprised to learn that your real estate agent has another job and will be juggling selling your home with other commitments. That is totally fine, but it’s up to you to decide what you’re comfortable with. There are plenty of great real estate agents out there who can handle selling your home while working another full-time job. But if you’re worried your home will take more effort to sell, you might want to find a full-time realtor.
As for me, this is my fourth year as a full-time realtor. Prior to that, I spent 10 years in global advertising and actually assisted other realtor's in staging their clients homes before I got into the business myself. My husband and I have bought and restored four homes together over the past 8 years, so I’ve been on all sides of the housing market. Be sure to check out one of our latest projects here.
What's your average list price to sales price ratio?
This question will give you a good idea of whether or not your agent will be able to list your home at the right price or if they plan on listing over-valuing the home only to end up reducing the price later on. That is never what you want! This question can help you weed out agents who are willing to risk over-pricing your home and help you find an agent who will be honest about the value of your home. If you price your home right, it should sell quickly. That’s what you want!
If a home sits on the market for more than three weeks or has to have the price lowered, buyers usually assume something is wrong with the home. That’s why I always tell sellers, I am not willing to list their home for more than I think it’s worth. In 2019 I sold 34 homes in Southwest Missouri. When a seller listed their home for my recommended sales price it sold on average within 15 days and for 98% of the list price.
What's your best market plan or strategy for selling my home?
When you’re considering how to hire the best realtor for your home, this is crucial. Some listing agents will throw a house up online and call it a day. That is usually not enough in today’s fast-paced housing market. Ask your realtor what their strategy is. Do they plan on promoting the listing on their own social media pages? Do they have radio or print advertisements? Do they pay for professional photography or drone videos…
On my end, my strategy always starts by listing a home at the right price from the beginning. Seller's hire me to help them sell their homes, not to help them keep it. Even in a seller's market, price is king. We get one chance to make a first impression, so we need to put our best foot forward visually and price wise. Additionally I also pay for all marketing including professional photography, social media and radio endorsements. I consider this a cost of doing business and do not get paid until I do my job and get your home sold.
Can you provide references?
Absolutely. I’m always happy to provide a list of recent clients a new seller can reach out to to hear how that previous seller’s experience was working with me. Do not feel uncomfortable asking an agent for references.
What makes you different than other Realtors?
Okay, I know this sounds like one of those questions you’d get asked in a bad job interview, but it can really help you thin out your list of possible listing agents. While most agents can sell any home, there are those who focus on certain kinds of properties. Maybe they sell mostly historic homes, maybe they sell more homes out in the country, maybe they love new builds… the list goes on. So when you’re considering how to find the best agent to sell your home, ask them what sets them apart.
My answer to this question is pretty simple. I am not afraid to be honest with a seller. When someone hires me, I fight to get them the most money for their home in the quickest amount of time. I have strong communication skills and do not employ any assistants or team members. I believe if you want something done right you do it yourself so therefore sellers always have 100% direct access to me every step of the way.
