Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases a person can make in their lifetime. Meanwhile, trying to sell a home can be a very stressful event. The assistance of an excellent real estate agent can help you navigate this process.
We’re here for you every step of the way, and are more than happy to share our knowledge and expertise.
Before getting started with any real estate agent, you’ll want to ask a series of key questions. These questions will vary depending on whether or not you’re in the market to sell or buy (see below), but there are a few universal questions you should always ask upfront. These questions include:
What’s You And Your Companies’ Background And Level Of Experience?
This is the number-one question to ask your broker when you first meet. You’ll hear the full rundown of what they’ve done, how long they’ve done it, and how their background will work in your favor.
While level of expertise doesn’t ensure anything, it does help to work with an agent who is familiar with the local market and who has been successfully helping clients buy and sell their homes.
What Type Of Properties Do You Normally Handle?
If the agent normally deals with commercial properties, but you’re looking for a new home, asking this question upfront can save everyone a lot of time and energy.
What’s The Communication Process I Should Expect?
Agents will frequently check in with you throughout the partnership, but the preferred method, timing, and type of communication should be hashed out beforehand. Establishing a communication system that works best for you and your agent is what will keep everything moving forward.
BUYER QUESTIONS
As a buyer, you should familiarize yourself with how the agent can help you find the Austin property of your dreams. Some key questions to ask include:
How Will You Search For A Property?
Understanding how your agent will look for homes or properties will give you a better idea of the type of resources available to them.
What Do You Need From Me That Will Help You In The Search?
Partnering with your agent can only make the buying process run smoother. Asking this question will ensure that your agent is equipped to find the perfect property suited to your tastes and budget.
How Many Properties Will I See Before I Find One I Love?
While this is a subjective question, it’s a fair one to ask. A good agent will be able to give an average of how many homes a typical buyer looks at before they find “the one.” Even though it’s not an exact science, it’ll give you a better idea of the process.
How Do You Handle Multiple Offers?
It can be disappointing to put in a bid, only to find out there are multiple offers on the home. A good real estate agent will fight on your behalf to make sure your offer stands out among the crowd.
SELLERS QUESTIONS
As a seller, you’ll want to know how quickly your agent can move your house off the market and at what price. There are a few questions you can ask that will give you a better idea:
How Do You Plan To Market The Listing?
Marketing a home is vital to the selling process. If there’s nothing advertised or promoted, then nothing will sell. Here at Habitat Hunters, we market your listing in a variety of different ways–all of which you can read about here.
What Are Your Stats?
This is a fully loaded question that a successful agent will eagerly share. If you’d like to get into specifics, consider asking follow-up questions like:
- How many homes did you sell last year?
- On average, how long does one of your listings stay on the market?
- What were some original listed prices compared to the final price?
What Services Can You Recommend That Will Help With The Sale?
Selling isn’t simply about putting a house on the market and waiting for it to sell. There may be renovations, repairs, staging, cleaning, junk hauling, and other projects to consider. A good agent can recommend local professionals whose services will whip your home into market-ready shape.
Have any questions you’d like to ask us? Reach out today to get the conversation started!
