Questions to Ask Before You List Your Home

I have written quite a few blogs for my sellers outlining and explaining the difference between discount brokerages, and full service brokerages but I would like to take a moment to talk about something that is important no matter what kind of brokerage you choose to hire to sell your home. 

I frequently speak with homeowners whose listings expired without selling and the most common complaint I have heard is that the homeowner believes that the realtor did not do enough for them.  Now, in some cases this is true, and in other cases it is not but in an effort to make sure this does not happen to any Patch readers here is a list of key questions to ask potential Realtors who are interested in listing your home.

1. What is Their Price?

Now I do not mean the price of their commission I mean their suggested price of your home. Take the time and look at the comps they should have shared with you during your talk with them and also look at how long each house was on the market. This is something homeowners overlook. While the house next door may have sold for the price you want for your house, it could have taken them two years to get that price. Are you ok with having to wait that long?

 2. What Is Their Opinion On Open Houses, And What Will They Be Doing For Yours! 

I hear countless times from homeowners that they wanted to do open houses, but the Realtor "did not beleive in them." When you meet with Realtors you should be ask them upfront if they use open houses in their sales strategy. If you don't agree with their plan, move onto the next.

On the other hand, I have had homeowners that don't like having open houses, and being a homeowner I can understand that view, but for your home to sell your home needs to be seen. I schedule my first open house the same day I take the listing back to my office, Why? Because you want those first buyers to immediately have a day and time to see your home.

3. How Is Your Home Shown?

You should discuss how the agent shows their listings, and who will be scheduling the appointments.  Is it a call center who handles scheduling their appointments, or is it an in-office staff ? Do they attend all appointments when your home is shown, do you need to be home for the appointments? Would they be willing to have specific day and times when you are available to show, or are they open to requiring a minimum amount of notice? If you are not okay with the feedback, then move onto the next potential Realtor.

4. Where Did All The Buyers Go?

When I ask homeowners what happened with the potential buyers that did view their home I am shocked to hear that they don't know.  You should have a clear line of communication set up with your Realtor for everytime your house is shown, and you should know how they get feedback about your home from other Realtors. 

The feedback will help you get your home sold faster. Our company has a automatic feedback form sent to all agents who show our listings. It is a quick simple application that they are able to use on their phones, laptops, and PDAs.  If I don't recieve feedback from an agent, I am provided with all of their information to contact them from the appointment confirmation. I call my homeowner after each time the home is shown.

 5. Pictures & Video & Staging

Talk to the Realtor about what kind of pictures they take, do they take professional photos or do they have the applications to help enhance your pictures? Do they have virtual tours on their listings? Most importantly once you have those pictures and videos, where are they all advertised?

I am very particular about my pictures, because not only do I represent your home, but the effort I put into selling your home represents me. I put your homes pictures in my newsletter, on my website, and on my YouTube Channel, I want to make sure that your home stands out.

Another aspect of the pictures is the fact that not all homes are picture ready, so ask the Realtor what they plan on doing to help you get it "picture ready."  Do they require you to do staging? Do they have other options rather than full staging? Or if your home is going to be vacant, and what kind of affordable staging options are there?

All homes can benefit from some staging, even if it is as simple as de-cluttering or removing some larger pieces of furniture for the pictures. Keep an open mind when a Realtor approaches this subject, do not take it as an insult, take it as they know their business.

6. Technology Use

How does the Realtor use technology to help their business and to sell your home? Social networking is a great tool for homes sales. Why? Because you don't know who is looking for a house until they tell you. The use of  social networking for Realtors has changed with the times. Many of us now choose to network and promote our business with other realtors & potential buyers through sites like Facebook and Twitter.  Highlighting new listings and open houses on these sites is quickly becoming the way the new generation of Realtors are advertising business.

If your not utilizing the Internet, the technology, and the tremendous exposure that it offers your home, you are missing out.  I once had a client call me on a home not from MLS, not from an open house, but from a On Location Video Tour that was posted on my YouTube channel that one of my friends had shared.  

Technology isn't just about what your listing looks like, or where it is listed, it is also about ways buyers can connect with your agent.  Today's technology allows potential buyers to immediately inquire about your listing, so what is your agent's plan of action for buyers who may not be inquiring during "normal" business hours or traditional communication approaches?

I let my buyers schedule appointments online anytime of the day or night. I also have a chat feature that is linked on my page that goes directly to my phone as well as my laptop.  All inquiries made on my listings come to me within five minutes of being sent, this allows no delay in my response, and many times they are still looking at your home online when they get the first call from me.

These are just a few of the key questions that homeowners should be asking the agents that they are interviewing. Remember the best way to get your home sold the first time is to be an educated homeowner and pick an agent that is right for you.