When it comes time to sell your home, deciding which local REALTOR® you want to work with is important.  You want someone who will do the best job at representing your interests. During an initial conversation, an agent will ask if you have any questions. If you are like a lot of people, me included, this open ended question is too open and leaves you trying to quickly think of a question to ask.  As a Locust Grove REALTOR ® who works all around central Virginia, I’ve got some suggestions for questions to ask an agent from my own experiences with clients.  Save this list for your next interview!

Question to Ask: Are you familiar with my local housing market?  

Why ask this question:  Being familiar with a local housing market means that the REALTOR® is more in touch with pricing and average days on the market.  This is not to imply that the agent needs to live in your neighborhood in order to sell your home.  For example, I sell homes in Lake of the Woods and because it is within the area I service and I am very familiar with the local market here.  Being a Locust Grove REALTOR ® allows me to accurately price homes in the area and relay realistic expectations to my sellers about how long a home is going to take to sell.

Question to Ask:  How many homes did you sell last year?

Why ask this question:  The answer to this question will let you know if the agent you are speaking with is a full time one.  According to NAR, in 2023, the median number of homes sold by a residential agent was ten.  While there is no one correct answer to this question, the higher number of homes a REALTOR® sold in a year, the more active they are in the local market.  This means they have current relationships with other vendors like contractors, home inspectors, lenders, and title companies, are more experienced with the real estate process, and have been successful in getting homes to closing.

Question to Ask: How do you determine a listing price for my home?

Why ask this question:  Accurate listing prices depend on research.  When you meet with an agent, the agent should come with a CMA.  This CMA will be used to price your home based on its current market value.  The CMA will show you other comparable homes to yours.  The agent should also discuss features about your home that add value to the market price like a finished basement or new roof.

Question to Ask:  What is your marketing plan?

Why ask this question: According to the NAR, all buyers in their study for 2024 used the internet as a method to search for a home.  As a Locust Grove REALTOR ® this means that not only do people in the immediate area have potential interest in a property, but also others from around the country.  Because of this, it is important that professional photographs are used to capture the features of a home.  Well written descriptions and sharing a listing throughout the numerous online home selling websites helps to increase visibility of the property.  Your agent’s specific answer to this question will help you understand how your home will be advertised.

Question to Ask: How will you communicate with me?

Why ask this question:  Time can be of the essence in real estate transactions; you can receive an offer that has an acceptance deadline, a home inspection issue may need to be addressed immediately, or a last minute showing request can be made.  It is important that your Locust Grove REALTOR ® is prompt to respond to texts, emails, and phone calls.  When trying to determine which agent is the best for you, also reflect on how quickly the agent was to respond to your initial inquiry and any interactions you’ve had thus far.

Question to Ask: Are there any changes I need to make in my home?

Why ask this question:  Sometimes having a fresh set of eyes look at how furniture is arranged in your home or the paint color on your walls is useful.  A REALTOR® can give you suggestions about how to make changes to your home in order to appeal to as many buyers as possible.  

Question to Ask:  Do you see any challenges in selling my home?

Why ask this question:  An awesome REALTOR® should be up front with you if there are any aspects of your home that might present a challenge.  Things like being located on a busy street, having an unusual layout inside the home, or a lack of a backyard may make it more challenging for you to sell your home.  Sometimes you can change these things, but other times you cannot.  Knowing upfront about these challenges means that when you receive feedback from showings you won’t feel caught off guard.

Question to Ask:  How long will my home take to sell?

Why ask this question:  I don’t think I’ve met a client yet who hasn’t asked me this question as a Locust Grove REALTOR ®.  While no agent has crystal ball that predicts the future, a well informed one can give you a general estimation of how long it will take to sell the house.  This estimation will fall in line with the average days on the market for similar homes in your area.  There is always a little give and take with estimating how long it will take to sell a home.  For example, is your home a unique property for a specific lifestyle or is it a move-in ready single family home?  Remember, you can’t always compare to homes in a neighborhood if they are different. The answer to this question really tells you if your Locust Grove REALTOR ® is familiar with the local market.

Using these questions to guide your conversation with a potential agent will help you to get to know the agents you interview better and determine who will be the best person for you.  You can also check out online reviews and social media.  

Are you searching for a Locust Grove REALTOR ® who can assist you in your home buying or selling process? I am here to help!