5 Crucial Questions to Ask a Real Estate Agent Before Listing Your Home

Selling your home is one of the largest transactions most people will experience in their lifetime. Therefore, being picky and only enlisting the help of an outstanding Real Estate Agent is important! A great Real Estate Agent will find buyers to sell your home quickly and for more money. They become your business partner, advisor, best friend, and even therapist sometimes!

Homeowners may think that every Real Estate Agent is the same, or they think that they’ll only spend a few weeks with them so it doesn’t matter if they get along well. However, when you hire a Real Estate Agent, you’re inviting them into your life, your finances and your home. You should always hire someone that you feel comfortable sharing this with, along with someone who you trust to give sound advice.

Here are a few important questions to ask a Real Estate agent when selling your home:

1. What are your credentials?

While you undoubtedly will need to hire an agent with a Real Estate License to get your home on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), it is also great to get information on other associations that they may have. In addition to having a Real Estate License for the past two decades, Jim Slater is a Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS), Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist Distinction (CLHMS) and was awarded the Million Dollar Guild recognition. Most of these organizations and certifications require Realtors to undertake additional training and adhere to a code of ethics, which will prepare them to take the best care of you and your family!

2. What do you specialize in? (Or do you specialize in this area?)

Having a local expert is a huge advantage for sellers. Local agents will be aware of any upcoming developments in the area, as well as plans for stores or other amenities that might affect the value of your property, how quickly it will sell, and the price you may get from a buyer. In addition to this, a local agent will help to sell not just your home, but your neighborhood along with it.

Known in the area as “The Lakeshore Guy”, Jim has specialized knowledge in waterfront properties and has spent his entire life on the water. He is a native of Minnesota and knows first-hand what living the lakeshore lifestyle is all about. He started studying lakeshore properties in 1992 and has spent the last 16 years devoted to selling waterfront properties and luxury homes.

3. Will I be working with you directly or a team?

When you choose an agent, you want to be working directly with that person, not a different representative from the agency every meeting you go to. You picked that agent because of the bond you had with them. There’s nothing wrong with a small team helping out here and there, it means more resources and assistance! However, you do not want your home to become another nameless, faceless listing.

A good Real Estate Agent should treat their clients as family! They should go above and beyond expectations to get to know their clients, listening and understanding exactly what their lifestyle needs and wants are.

4. What should I do to get my house ready?

It is always good to have the Real Estate Agent take a look at the home and give you advice for necessary repairs or upgrades that would attract buyers. They know the market best, so they are able to give great perspective on what buyers are looking for in a home. Ask the agent if they are able to recommend any staging services or contractors to help get your home showing-ready.

5. How will you market my home?

Every Realtor should enter into this partnership with a Marketing plan. This includes photography, listing services, Social Media campaigns, their website, newsletters, and any additional tactics they have in their toolbelt to get more eyes on your home. Marketing is key to a successful sale!

Slater Realty Group utilizes all of the above Marketing strategies along with a few secret weapons to ensure that you have the most popular listing in the neighborhood! Having strong roots in the Prior Lake and Twin Cities area help us astronomically in getting your home sold quick.

Sooner or later you’ll call Jim Slater!