If you’re getting ready to sell your home, one of the first steps should be finding a local realtor. This professional will get your property in front of interested buyers with the goal of minimizing the amount of time it’s on the market and ensuring you get a fair value. Here’s what you should ask during your initial correspondence.

What Should Sellers Ask Prospective Realtors?

1. How Would You Price My Home?

This is one of the first questions sellers should ask, as it can inform other important decisions, such as how much money you can put toward a different property. Don’t just ask for a number, however. Find out how the realtor arrived at this number, such as by analyzing market data and comparing your property to those nearby that have sold recently. 

2. How Should We Get Our Home Ready?

Some sellers want to maximize their listing price and are willing to invest in upgrades to do so. Others prefer to sell the home as-is and settle for whatever it’s currently worth. Whichever mindset you have, there may still be some minor enhancements that will make a considerable difference to buyers. Your prospective agent should understand where your preferences lie and make targeted recommendations to maximize value while respecting the level of updating you’re willing to do.  

3. What Does Your Contract Entail?

Find out what services the realtor includes with their fee, including how they’ll market your home. For example, they may include professional photography, social media listings, and an open house. Get clarity on the terms of the contract, including the length of time it covers.

4. How Do You Screen Buyers?

Accepting an offer only to have it fall through can cause major delays. A trusted agent should vet buyers to reduce the odds of this happening. For example, they may require interested buyers to provide a pre-approval letter, which shows that they’re likely to be approved for a loan.  

5. How Often Will We Communicate?

Your agent will be in touch with details about showings, offers, and closing information, which means you will both need to be on the same page when it comes to communication. Ask how often you can expect to hear from them. Also, find out if they prefer to call or text, and state your own preferences and if there are any times when you will be unavailable.

If you’re preparing to sell your home, turn to Emiel Barbosa—Vicente Realty in Brockton, MA. This licensed realtor is dedicated to excellent customer service. He stays up-to-date on the local market and offers tailored recommendations to help sellers pursue a fair value for their listings. Send the agent a message online, or get in touch by calling (508) 762-7848. You can also learn more on Facebook.