10 Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Listing Agent

In today’s Buyers Market – overflowing with 11 months of home inventory - you cannot afford to list your property with an agent who isn’t willing or able to invest the time and money necessary to make your home stand out above the rest. You need a competitive edge, and an agent that can provide it through an aggressive marketing campaign.

Here are 10 simple questions that will help you pick the right agent for the job:

1. What ideas do you have to make my property show better? First impressions are everything in today’s market. Your home will likely be competing with many other homes for the same Buyer, and it is important that your home look fresh and neat. Find out if the agent you are interviewing can recommend staging companies, landscapers, painters, and the like to help spruce up your home.

2. Will you hire a professional to photograph my property? While some agents have the talent and the equipment to capture a property at its best, most do not. Since these photos form a Buyer’s first impression of your home, make sure that the visual imagery associated with your listing is professional and enticing.

3. Will you create a color brochure for my property? Again, first impressions are everything and Buyers tend to hold on to brochures that are visually pleasing, sophisticated and informative. Ask the agent you are interviewing for brochure samples from prior listings.

4. Which internet sites will feature my property? The answer to this question varies greatly by company and by agent. But with over 80% of all Buyers looking to the internet to help them identify their next home, you want as much internet exposure as possible – local as well as national. Check out both the agent’s web site and the listing firm’s web site to make sure they are attractive, informative and easy to navigate.

5. Will my property listing include a photo tour? Professional photo tours are a great way to showcase a property on the internet and “paint a picture” for a potential buyer. A photo “tour” is much more dynamic than still photos. While this marketing tool is not expensive, most agents avoid spending the extra money. Make sure that the agent you hire will!

6. Will you create a dedicated web site to advertise my property? Have you ever seen a property that piqued your interest but were unable to remember the name of the listing agent or the real estate company representing the property? Of course! A dedicated web site using a street address or memorable phrase gives an interested Buyer immediate internet access to photos and information regarding your property, without having to navigate through several sites to get there. The web address can also be used in print advertising to easily refer a Buyer to your property.

7. What print advertising will you do for my property? While the internet has eclipsed print advertising as the go-to source for property searches, many potential buyers still enjoy leafing through real estate magazines. Make sure that the agent you hire is willing to feature your property in at least one prominent print source every month, and that the display ads featured in the local papers are attractive and large enough to read.

8. Will you be the person showing my property? Clearly, the agent you hire knows the most about your property and your goals as the Seller; therefore, he or she is in the most powerful position to SELL your property. Despite this fact, many agents delegate this important function to an assistant, whom often times knows very little about your property. If you choose to work with an agent who uses an assistant to show his or her listings, make sure you meet with and approve of the assistant since that person will be representing your property to potential buyers.

9. Will you be the person managing my escrow? Escrow is the clearing house for all of the legal documents governing your transaction. Despite the legal significance of this function, many agents rely upon an assistant or the Escrow Officer to manage the details. Insist that the agent you hire have a hand in managing your escrow.

10. Have you had success selling properties in today’s market? This is a pointed question, but don’t be afraid to ask it. Many agents have not modified their business plans to combat the additional inventory and tougher selling climate that exists today. Don’t be afraid to ask for statistics: What is your list to sale price ratio? How long do your listings typically stay on the market? How many of your listings didn’t sell in 2007? What is your advertising budget? Can I contact your past clients? A good agent will not shy away from answering these tough questions.

Remember, most Realtors get paid the same commission percentage. It doesn’t cost you any more to work with an agent who will invest in selling your home; it may cost you tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, however, to work with an agent who doesn’t.

It’s your choice!