Selling a Home? Ask Your Realtor® These Questions

Selling a home is an enormous undertaking, rife with complex legal issues and sensitive negotiations. And it's a process most people experience only a few times over the course of their lives. 

These are only a few of the reasons why having an experienced Realtor® on your side is a must! But how do you find the best agent to sell your home? 

Start your search by asking these questions when interviewing agents. The answers will lead you to the right real estate professional! 

Question #1: Information 

Start by asking prospective agents to send you some information about current or recent homes they have listed and sold. 

These marketing materials will provide a glimpse into the agent's level of marketing practices. If this material is lackluster or unprofessional looking, how do you think they'll market your home? 

Question #2: Experience 

The best agents have ample experience listing, marketing and selling homes in your area. Ask how many homes they've listed, and how many they've sold, in the last six months. 

But experience isn't the only thing you will learn from the answer. The response will also provide an indication of the agent's track record. Agents can boast that they have several years of experience in the business, but if they aren't successful in actually selling homes, that isn't going to do you much good.

Question #3: Time 

Another great question for a prospective agent is how long it takes them to sell a home, on average, compared to other agents in the area. 

Don't stop there, however. 

What you're looking for here isn't necessarily a quick sale. Even if an agent sells homes quickly, it doesn't mean that they're selling for top dollar. 

Look at the listing price of the homes compared to the final sales price. You want a professional Realtor® who sells homes in a reasonable amount of time at fair market value.

Remember that many agents who boast about their speedy selling skills only accept listings priced below the market's current value. 

Question #4: Credentials 

Never take anything for granted when hiring a Realtor®. 

This means actually verifying their license status and checking for complaint history. Don't rule out an agent who has past complaints, but do pay attention to how they were ultimately resolved. 

Next, inquire about which professional organizations they belong to. 

Agents can only call themselves Realtors® if they are members in good standing with the National Association of Realtors® or NAR. You can verify any agent's membership in NAR here. 

In the Yorba Linda area, the expert Realtors® of the Edie Israel Team are the obvious choice when you need experienced representation. Contact us today for all your real estate needs, whether you simply have questions or if you're buying or selling a home in southern California.