When embarking on the home selling journey, it is imperative that you are as informed as possible. Before jumping into the process, you will want to sit down with your real estate agent and ask some pretty important questions. However, you may be wondering what are the right questions to ask when you are about to sell your home? Choosing the right real estate agent can significantly impact your home buying costs, real estate profit, and the duration of the process. Today, we will dive into the essential questions to ask your real estate agent when selling your home in San Diego. Let’s get into it!
About the Agent
How long have you been a full-time real estate agent?
You definitely want to get to know your real estate agent before you trust them with your home selling process. Some key questions to ask is: How will your experience benefit me as a seller? What makes you a good real estate agent? And the question above: how long have you been a full-time real estate agent? These are very crucial questions. You don’t want one of the most important transactions of your life to be in the hands of an inexperienced agent. Instead, ensure you work with a real estate professional who has several years of experience and a track record of success in your market.
Do you have any certifications or specializations?
Another question to ask your agent is: Are you a licensed real estate agent? Do you have any designations, such as REALTOR? If they aren’t licensed, then it is probably a red flag and time to look elsewhere. You want an agent that is licensed and truly understands the ins and outs of the home selling journey.
Working with experienced real estate professionals ensures you receive the best guidance and expertise throughout the process.
Can you provide references or testimonials from previous clients?
It is important that they have a track record in San Diego. You may want to consider: What do your previous clients say about your services? Can I contact them to ask about their experiences? This will give you a realistic overview of how they work and navigate the often complex and emotional experience of selling your home. You want to make sure your personalities mesh.
Agent’s Experience and Performance
How many homes did you sell last year?
An agent’s performance may not be your number one concern, but it will tell you a lot about their track record. Agents work with teams and assistants to ensure successful transactions. You will want to ask: What is your success rate in selling homes? How will your experience benefit me as a seller? You want to see how long their past listing sat on the market. Understanding the real estate market dynamics is crucial, as it impacts how effectively homes are priced and sold. Were they able to price the home’s they represented effectively. You also don’t want to be just another client in the back pocket. If they are inundated with listings, how will yours be cared for and given the attention that it deserves?
What is your average list-price-to-sales-price ratio?
Pricing is everything. You will want to ask: How well do you negotiate sales prices? What is your strategy for getting the best final sales price? If they are itching for a large commission, they will most definitely try to list your house at the highest price. This sounds like a great idea for the seller, as you want to reap the benefits of a high sales price. However, you don’t want an unrealistic home price and your agent should be the expert that that look at comparable sales in your neighborhood and tell you the realistic price for your home.
How many clients do you typically work with at a time?
As noted above, you really want to understand how many clients your agent has at one time. How will you prioritize my needs as a seller? Will you be able to devote sufficient time and attention to my transaction? If you are just another number on their long list of clients, you most definitely will not be getting the well deserved attention you need. This means that your house may suffer with a longer stay on the market and could potentially hurt your profit in the long run. If you are not satisfied with the level of attention you are receiving, you may want to consider the option to change real estate agents, although it could be more challenging if there is a signed contract with a specific timeframe.
Marketing and Sales Strategy
What’s your marketing strategy to attract potential buyers?
Marketing your home is essential to getting your home seen by the masses. Some questions to consider: How will you use technology and social media to market my home? What are your strategies for marketing my home to the widest pool of possible buyers? A seller’s agent plays a crucial role in marketing the home effectively, utilizing their expertise to stage the property, negotiate final sales prices, and reach potential buyers through various channels.
Communication and Availability
What is your usual availability, and how can I reach you?
Working with an agent during such an important financial transaction can be scary and an emotional rollercoaster. It is vital that you have a good relationship with your agent and that you can communicate with them effectively throughout the ups and downs of the process. Remember to ask: How will you communicate with me throughout the selling process? What is your typical response time to phone calls, emails, and texts? You want to make sure you are informed every step of the way.
Fees and Commission
How much do you charge in commission, and what does it include?
What is the typical commission rate for real estate agents in this area?
The typical commission rate for real estate agents in this area is around 5-6% of the property’s sale price. This commission is usually split with the buyer’s agent, who plays a crucial role in negotiating a better price for the buyer. The buyer’s agent represents the buyer’s interests, ensuring that all contract terms are favorable and that the buyer is well-informed throughout the transaction. This is a big chunk of your profit and you want to make sure your agent is doing everything to earn that commission fee.
Local Market Trends
What are the local market trends, and how will they affect my sale?
Local market trends in San Diego will most definitely affect how your home sells, how long it will sit on the market, and the type of buyers you will receive. Make sure you ask: How will you help me navigate the competitive market? What are the current market conditions, and how will they impact my sale?
Working with a Real Estate Agent
What’s the role of a buyer’s agent, and how will they interact with me?
- How will you work with the buyer’s agent to facilitate the sale?
- What are the benefits of working with a buyer’s agent?
A buyer’s agent plays a crucial role in representing the interests of the buyer during the home buying process. They help in negotiating the best price, navigating through the paperwork, and ensuring that all legal requirements are met. Additionally, the buyer’s agent can provide valuable insights into the local market and help identify properties that meet the buyer’s criteria.
In a real estate transaction, the buyer’s agent works alongside the seller’s agent to ensure a smooth and efficient process for both parties.
How will you help me prepare my home for sale?
Preparing your home for sale is crucial to presenting it in the best light and making sure it matches your local competition in San Diego. Make sure to ask: What are your recommendations for staging and preparing my home? How will you help me make my home attractive to potential buyers?
Final Questions
Ask a real estate agent: What sets you apart from other real estate agents?
It is important to be upfront and really ask: What makes you a great real estate agent? Why should I choose you to sell my home? Afterall, at the end of the day the house selling process in today’s San Diego market with rising interest rates can be a long journey and that is filled with valleys and mountains. It takes a house seller that can deal with a house sitting on the market, falling out of escrow, and price drops to really navigate today’s market. If you have a home that will have a hard time competing with a turnkey, beautifully renovated property, perhaps working with a cash buyer like Trusted House Buyers is the best route to take. When you work with Trusted House Buyers, we will buy your home as-is and can put cash in your pocket in as little as 10 days. It truly is as simple as that. We are a family run company in San Diego that stand behind our name, and only provide transparent, honest, and reputable service. Check out our website and give us a call at 619-786-0973 to get to know who we are and how we can help you avoid the traditional real estate process and avoid paying commissions and hidden real estate fees. When you work with us there are ZERO commissions. It really is a simpler and most stress-free avenue to take. We look forward to hearing from you!
