5 Things You’ll Be Thankful You Asked Your Real Estate Agent

Real Estate Agent, time, market, experience

When you’re buying or selling a home, there are numerous questions that you and your agent will be asking one another. Some could make or break your buying or selling experience. Either way, it’s important for both of you to ask as many questions as possible to make sure that your needs are being met. While there are many possible questions, here are five you’ll be thankful you asked.

  1. Do you have the time to devote to me and my search?

It’s important to find an agent who devotes their full time to real estate full time. Agents who are working another job are not typically able to take calls from you or other agents. Finding a full-time agent is a way to ensure they are open for you and your needs. Make sure your agent, even if full time, isn’t over loaded. You want to make sure you get the one-on-one time necessary to fulfill your needs.

  1. Do you follow the local market every day to understand the pricing and availability?

You should make sure your agent is familiar with all the different avenues available to search listings for you. Your agent should be searching the MLS and other sites specifically for what you are looking for.  They should be networking with other agents as well as keeping current with the market and how it is changing. Are we heading into a market where we are saturated with distressed home sales? Does your agent know your neighborhood? Different areas have different nuances such as HOA fees, deferred sewer bills, buried tanks, etc.  Your agent should be in the know.

  1. Do you have the experience and support to meet my needs when you’re not there?

It’s so important to have the back up of a group of agents who have collective experience. It’s always great when you work with a team and each member has their own area of expertise and can step in anytime that help is needed. There is also the benefit of having backup help, so you aren’t at the mercy of vacation of time off.  If there is not a group of agents at your disposal, an assistant is a good alternative to make sure your needs are met. The more properties an agent has sold, the more likely they are to have run into any issue that could come up on your sale. If your agent is new, they need to have the backing of a mentor or someone with experience to guide them through.

  1. Are you qualified to help me prepare my home to sell?

An Accredited Staging Professional (ASP) will have the training to guide you through staging your home for maximum affect. It’s very important to have an agent who understands the importance of a show ready house the day it goes on the market, not a few weeks later. Having it show ready in the beginning will result in better photos and more effective advertising.  Having your home show ready includes fresh and neutral paint, good flooring, updates, quick fixes and landscaping.  Curb appeal is a big deal! These are all important when staging a home and having the right agent can make all the difference.

  1. How will your passion about what you do affect my experience?

Your agent should love what they do despite the challenges. Any business has rough days and challenging times, but at the end of the day, your agent’s passion for real estate should shine through. That means a positive attitude regardless of what comes up. It means being able to work with different types of people, as buyers and sellers are always going to bring different personalities to the table. Your agent should be able to remain professional, have fun and put you at ease. You should feel confident that you can put a very expensive transaction in their hands.  A successful result is a happy client!

At the HodosGroup, we carry our passion into every transaction. We enjoy the process of bringing you to your new home and we call this YOUR TRIP HOME.   We welcome the opportunity to help YOU.

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