Before You Hire a Real Estate Agent, Ask These 6 Big Questions

Before You Hire a Real Estate Agent, Ask These 6 Big Questions

Whether you’re looking to sell or buy a home in Naples, or elsewhere in beautiful Southwest Florida, working with a real estate agent is best. Before you hire one, though, consider asking these key questions to help increase your chances of a beneficial working relationship, and the best outcome possible.

Question #1. Are you an agent who works full time or part time?

An individual who works as a full-time agent is likely to have more time to invest in meeting your real estate needs than someone who works part time or does agenting as a side job.

Question #2. How long have you been agenting?

An established agent may be better equipped to foresee potential pitfalls throughout your real estate transaction and help to avoid them, rather than one who has less experience. A seasoned agent is also likely to have honed their negotiation skills in order to land the best deal possible for you. An experienced agent may also have a network of other agents who have buyers interested in your property, or who may represent sellers if you’re in the market to purchase a home.

Question #3. Would I work exclusively with you, or with a staff?

An agent may explain that you will work exclusively with them throughout your home search or sale, or they may have a staff who will also interact with you throughout the process. It’s best to know this upfront so that you won’t be caught off-guard if a member of their team needs to manage a portion of your real estate transaction.

Question #4. Can you explain how your commission works?

It’s important to understand how an agent is compensated for their services. The way it works, usually, is that a buyer doesn’t pay agent commission fees. The seller pays the fees to their broker and the commission gets split between both agents. Although the percentage varies, it’s typically between a 5 and 6 percent commission for each agent.

Question #5. What marketing techniques would you use to raise awareness of a client’s home for sale?

As a potential client it’s important for you to ask a prospective agent about the marketing strategy they would employ to help your home make a splash when it hits the market and grab the attention of agents and buyers–who are likely already considering lots of other properties for sale. Ask for details about concepts for digital campaigns, whether the potential agent already has buyers in mind, and inquire about any other means they would use to help create buzz and get the word out about your property!

Question #6. Do you provide additional services, other than negotiating the purchase or sale of a home?

It’s important to know if your potential agent offers additional services other than helping you buy or sell a home. For instance, some agents may provide their clients with help to move and get settled into a new home, or assistance with establishing utility accounts, or they may offer suggestions for vendors who can assist with projects around the house. All of this can be especially helpful if a homeowner is new to an area or is elderly and requires additional assistance. (Alexandra Janz AJ International Group Naples offers clients all-around service, from buying and selling a home to moving–and other conveniences, so that their experience is a pleasant one and things go as smoothly as possible).

REALTORS® Alexandra Janz and Juergen Haeringer Are Your Premiere Real Estate Brokers

At Alexandra Janz AJ International Group Naples, the team of Alexandra Janz & Juergen Haeringer, Broker Associates & Luxury Properties Specialists with William Raveis-Florida, LLC, help clients realize their dreams of purchasing a luxury home and basking in the glow of the Naples and Southwest Florida luxury lifestyle. Alexandra is not only an expert in the real estate market in Naples and Southwest Florida, but in international markets as well.

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