9 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Seller's Agent

By Fran Campbell - July 06, 2020

A home purchase is arguably one of the biggest investments a person will make in their lifetime. When it comes time to sell this major investment, you want to find an agent who has your best interests in mind. The experienced Fran Campbell Team provides personalized service when it comes to selling our client’s homes. Below, our trusted real estate team in Osage Beach, MO has provided some questions a homeowner should ask their seller’s agent before they hire someone.

1. How much is my property worth? Why?
This is usually one of the first questions a seller will ask an agent. Homeowners want to know how much they can expect to get out of their property. Don’t forget to ask why or how they came up with the estimated property worth. Receiving information about the current market from an insider can be beneficial for selecting a pricing strategy your home.

2. What amount will I come away with?
Another popular question that is important to clarify upfront, is how much money to expect from the sale. A seller needs to know what amount the agent retains in return for their marketing and selling services.

3. How long have you been an agent?
Ask your seller’s agent about their credentials. You want an experienced agent to be in charge of the sale of your investment. Be sure to ask about any special certifications or awards the agent may have as well.

4. Are you a full-time agent?
You want to work with someone who is dedicated to selling your home. A full-time agent will potentially have more time to dedicate to marketing and showing.

5. How many sellers are you currently representing?
The answer to this question can be a tricky one, depending how you look at it. An agent with a large list of current homes on the market, may not have a lot of time to spend working on your property. On the flip side, if an agent has a low number of listings, they may not have adequate experience needed to sell your home. It is important to know how many other listings the seller’s agent is representing for you to weigh your options.

6. How many homes have you sold in this area in the past year?
Know the current statistics that make up your potential listing agent’s portfolio. This information can help you see their experience in the current market, from a numerical standpoint.

7. Can you explain the selling process?
Even if you are familiar with the process in general, this question can help refresh what will happen while your property is for sale. Each agent may have a different twist on how they handle few things, so it is best to hear about their plans for selling your property before making an agreement.

8. What methods do you plan to use to market my home?
Marketing of a home is important for gaining exposure. Be sure to ask your agent how they plan to get your property out in front of potential buyers. This can give you helpful insights to how they will present your home and how aggressively they will work to sell it.

9. What method of communication will you use?
Communication is critical when your home is listed on the market. There are a number of communication methods a seller and agent can use to send and receive messages between one another. Ask what method they will be using, and state if you would prefer a different communication medium. Also ask how often you should expect to hear from the seller’s agent.

The answers to the questions above can offer insight about the seller’s agent in order for you to make an informed decision. Your home is most likely your biggest investment, feel confident listing it with the right real estate seller’s agent. Contact the Fran Campbell Team if you are considering the sale of your home, we would be happy to answer any questions you may have about listing a home at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Contact the Fran Campbell Team to get your home SOLD!