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As I have previously stated, it is incredibly important to do a little research before picking the Tam O’ Shanter Realtor that is going to work alongside you during your home buying or selling transaction. While there are important qualities and traits to look for in a Bellevue, WA real estate agent there are also some necessary questions to ask during the interview process. And yes, you should interview your agent! You wouldn’t hire an employee without interviewing them at least once, so why would you blindly hire someone to advise you on one of life’s biggest financial investments? Below are a few questions you should ask a potential Tam O’ Shanter real estate agent.
Is being a real estate agent your full-time job?
When searching for a Bellevue, WA realtor you want to make sure that real estate is their main focus. In our area, there are several realtors who have second jobs. While this isn’t a bad thing, you want to know that your property is their top priorities. You also want to know that they are available “upon demand” to handle unexpected questions, time-sensitive issues and the flexibility to work with your personal schedule.
How many homes did you and your real estate brokerage sell last year?
The answer given to this question will give you a good idea of how much experience a Tam O’ Shanter Realtor has. Keep in mind market conditions when asking this question. A fabulous, experienced agent could have had a slow year due to market conditions and an average agent could have had a great year because it was a seller’s market and the demand for homes was high. Be sure to do your homework and ask for testimonials from prior clients.
What was the average amount of days it took you to sell a home and how did that compare to the overall market?
A Bellevue, WA realtor should have these facts on hand and be readily available to present these upon request. Additionally, they should be able to provide a comparison of the current market statistic from the local MLS. Once again, there could be factors present that don’t reflect the Realtor’s ability to do their job, so keep that in mind.
What were the final sale prices of most of your listings and how close was that to the initial asking prices?
While there can be some extenuating circumstances present, such as a hot real estate market or a very slow one, this is one indication of how a skilled Tam O’ Shanter realtor prices their listings and markets them to suitable buyers.
How will you market my home?
There are so many amazing resources and tools at Realtor’s finger tips these days that you want someone who is aware of the best innovative marketing tools and the most effective ways of using them so they reach suitable buyers. You don’t want someone who’s going to put a For Sale sign in the yard, hold one open house and then hope the house sales within 24 hours. Seek a Realtor that has cutting edge technology at their disposal and isn’t afraid to use it.
Can you recommend service providers who can help me find a mortgage, make repairs and assist with my home’s needs?
A good local Bellevue, WA realtor will usually work with the best in the industry and therefore give you quality referrals. Usually they will suggest a few different providers for each category and be able to give you a little insider info on each one.
What’s your business philosophy?
This is one of those questions that doesn’t really have a right or wrong answer. However, it will give you valuable insight on what a realtor’s goals and priorities are and you can get a good idea if you are both on the same page.
How do you update your clients on the transaction and how often?
Like the above, this doesn’t have a right or wrong answer. Most agents are good at updating their clients based on their requests, but it is good to know how often a Realtor finds it necessary to touch base with clients, and how they do it. With so many ways to communicate these days, everyone has a preferred method. Whether you want weekly calls at a specific date or time or you just want a text message whenever something new happens, watch their reaction to your request. If they seem noticeably disappointed at your need for a weekly face to face meeting, you may want to search for a Realtor that is ok with a more personal approach. A quality Realtor will be focused on a good working relationship with their client, and that means communicating in a way their client desires.
For more information on selling in Tam O’ Shanter, call (425) 829-8778.
