The 20 Vital Questions to Ask Your Real Estate Agent Before You Sign Anything!!

Your First Step to Finding World Class Service!

2. How many homes have you sold in your career? How many homes have you assisted others in purchasing?

3. Do you have any testimonial letters from previous clients that I can see?

4. You claim to have world class service - can I call some of your past clients to “check up” on this to ensure you are not just playing lip service just to get my business?

5. What type of on-going educational program are you involved in that will keep you aware of the current trends in the real estate business? Do you receive training in negotiating and marketing? Do you have a business coach, someone who trains you personally to ensure you stay on the right track?

6. Are you a member of the Association of Realtors? Why should that be important to me?

7. Are you a member of the MLS? What is that? How will that help me?

8. Do you have a system of marketing my home to ensure all steps are followed? Could you explain it to me? Can I see it?

9. Do you personally spend money on advertising? Does your company spend money on advertising? Where? How often? Can you explain your advertising strategies?

10. Do you stay in touch with me from the beginning until we sell or buy a home? How often? In what way?

11. Do you have a personal assistant that is trained in real estate marketing? Is your assistant also involved in an on-going system of training? May I meet him/her?

12. Where do buyers for my home come from? Do you market to all of these areas including Direct and Indirect Referrals? How do you cover each of the eight areas?

13. How can I prepare my home for the market? Do you have a plan to make my home “dressed for success”? Will you provide me a copy?

14. Do you prepare professional flyers detailing the amenities and highlights of my home to be given to prospective buyers who come into the house? Do you prepare business cards that advertise my home instead of yourself? Will I receive copies to hand out to friends who may know a prospective buyer?

15. Will you personally be there when contracts are presented to handle all the negotiations?

16. What is a “buyer broker”? Have you ever been a buyer broker? Is there a cost to using a buyer broker?

17. Do you request that a prospective purchaser be pre-qualified, not just verbally, but in writing by a certified lender and that they have a letter verifying this at the time of contract presentation?

18. When I am searching for a home, do you keep my needs ahead of your desires? How can I be certain of this? Do you guarantee this? If I am not satisfied, can I get out of the listing agreement, or am I locked in?

19. How is your advertising plan different? What makes it work? Do you use compelling headlines and offers that get prospective buyers to respond? Can you show me an example, and explain the different parts of the ad?

20. How do your “For Sale” signs stand out and draw attention? How are they different? Do you have an 800 phone number service? Why is this a valuable tool?

Do you have a written list of business and personal goals that you carry with you at all times? How are you doing this year?

Does your training system
emphasize “super star” selling or “super servant” service? What is the difference?

Do you have an on-going
system of services that you will provide even after we have bought/sold? Can you explain it to me?

What does “By Referral Only” mean? Why is that important?