Questions to Ask An Agent BEFORE Listing

SELLERS: Questions to Ask An Agent BEFORE Listing

Three Dozen Questions That Will Draw The Truth Out Of Any Listing Agent.

The following detailed questions should be asked of all listing agents (even if they are also your friend) you might be considering listing your property. Be adamant about getting clear and concise answers to ALL questions. After all, we are not talking about friendship, this is business so we are talking about thousands of dollars of your hard earned equity going to this agent, friend or not.

How many years have you been involved in real estate? When did you get your license? Are you a full-time agent or part-time (do you work elsewhere)?
What is the number of properties you sold in your career? Can you back this up? How does your sales record compare to the statistics of other agents?
How many total properties did you sell last year? How many of those were your own listings sold to buyers you found? (Simply listing a property and having it sell because another agent brought the buyer doesn't count as 'listing agent sold', [the buyers agent sold it])
Could you describe your educational and employment background before your real estate career?
What guarantees do you offer, if any?
Many I see original testimonial letters from previous clients? Do you mind if I call some of your past clients?
Could you please show me your resume?
How does an "Exclusive Agency Listing" differ from an "Exclusive Right to Sell Listing Agreement"?
If I'm not pleased with your services can I cancel the listing without any problems or cost?
May I have a copy of a WRITTEN Marketing Plan that is specific to MY property?
Could you elaborate on the experience and training you have had in the art of negotiation?
How does your company's statistics/results compare to other companies in the area?
Have you joined the national association of realtors and the local board of realtors? How is that important to me?
Have you joined the local MLS? What is it? And how will that be to my advantage?
Does your company run ads in the local real estate publications? If so which ones? May I see copies of some ads? How often will MY property be advertised?
Will the ad run until sold? In which publications?
Will you show a photo of my property or yourself in the ad?
Where and how does your company spend money on advertising? Do you yourself spend money on advertising?
How often does your company advertise in the local newspaper? In what way is that a benefit to me?
Would you describe your company as big or little? How does that make a difference to me?
How often will you be in touch?
Will you communicate throughout the entire listing procedure (beginning through closing)? How often? Could you describe how you'll maintain communication (calls, faxes, emails, letters, etc.)?
How technology oriented is your business? Do you own a computer? Will my property get Internet exposure? May I see your companies' web page?
Do you have Infoline or an 800# service that you use to advertise your clients property's?
Do you have any kind of support staff?
Do you provide property photo flyers, a flyer box, and a yard sign? May I see a sample flyer? Do you promote other sellers properties on the back of my flyer on my property?
Is there anything you do to prepare a property for the market? Could you please elaborate?
Is your marketing plan designed to also inspire other real estate agents sell my property as well as motivate people to buy it? Could you describe it?
Do you phone homeowners in this area to find anyone who might want to live in my neighborhood? How many calls are you willing to make?
Do you promote my property by putting on open houses? What will they be like? What will you do to make my open house produce results?
Will you produce an informative flyer that tells buyers the down payment and monthly payments required to buy my property?
Do you distribute Direct Mailings with descriptions of my property? Do you mail postcards in my neighborhood? How many? How often?
Will you personally present all offers to me?
Have any of your clients or the participants to any transaction ever sued you? For what reason and what was the outcome?
Were you ever charged with an ethics violation by the board of real estate agents? For what reason and what was the outcome?
Have you ever been disciplined in any way by a state licensing or regulatory agency? For what reason and what was the outcome?
Do you feel that there is anything else about you or your company I should know?

Remember to get answers to ALL questions. Do not settle for an agent that tries to cut you short with a general answer to effect of "hey, I'm your friend" or "don't worry, I'll take care of everything".�

Call our marketing department at: Maui 281-3434, Oahu 808-281-3434, Big Isle 808-281-3434, Kauai 808-281-3434 or email and start your photo marketing package today! Don't wait, start today!