What kind of guarantees do I get?
Typically, agents should not guarantee that they’ll get you in a home or sell your home in a specific number of days. If an agent starts talking about a guaranteed home sale program, it’s likely a gimmick. If you select that agent, the “guarantee” could mean you’ll sell your home for less than it’s worth; or if you’re a buyer, you’ll overpay for the home.
An honest agent will avoid promising things they can’t deliver.
How long do I have to review the documents before signing?
Buying or selling a home is a huge financial decision. Your agent should understand this and give you ample time to review all the documents without feeling rushed or pressured. Remember, a good agent prioritizes your understanding and comfort with the process, ensuring you’re ready and confident when it’s time to sign.
Can you send over some client references?
You’ve checked performance data and online reviews. Yet, you’re still not convinced. The next step is to ask for client references. You’ll want to find previous clients who purchased in the same area and whose situation relates to yours – perhaps another first-time home buyer or another family with a waterfront property. References and anecdotal evidence may be the deciding factor between your potential agent candidates.
If I pick you, what’s the first thing we need to get started?
Before you end the call, make sure you leave with a clear, actionable step – it’s like a bit of homework that preps you for your buying or selling experience. It could be gathering certain documents, making a list of your must-haves in a property, or clearing your home of clutter. This shows the agent that you want to be actively involved in the process and is a good test of their overall preparedness.
What haven’t I asked you?
This question opens the door for your real estate agent to share any important information you might not have thought to ask about. Buying a house is a complex process, and there’s always more to it than meets the eye. Take it from Batterman, who points out, “In the City of Appleton, Wisconsin, an average offer to purchase is 37 pages long – it’s quite a big deal to go through and there’s a number of questions that are really important.”
Take this opportunity to make sure you’re not missing anything essential, especially after discussing the previous 16 questions – who knows, something valuable may come to light!
After the call, you’ll want to ask yourself if the agent is right for you. Here’s a list of questions you might mull over:
- Do you feel comfortable with the agent’s personality?
- How do you feel about how they conduct their business?
- Was the agent prepared? Clear? Direct?
Pam Zaragoza, a top agent in Burlingame, California with 23 years of experience advises, “You have to have a level of trust in an agent, almost as if you were dating or engaged, because you’re sharing a lot of information with them.”
Get started now by reviewing top agents in your area
Not all agents provide the same level of service. Skill, experience, and results matter most when choosing a real estate agent.
Homelight’s internal data reveals the top 5% of agents sell homes for as much as 10% more than the average agent. That means more money in your pocket, time saved, and less frustration.
Let us streamline your real estate agent selection process. Use HomeLight’s Free Agent Match tool, which analyzes over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews, to determine which agent is best for you based on your needs.
Now you’re ready to begin! We recommend that you interview at least three top agents in your area before you hire one. Remember, the goal is to get all the information you need to make a smart hiring decision in 15 minutes or less per call.
Header Image Source: (Taylor Grote / Unsplash)
