Ask For Their Real Estate License or Certificate
It’s important to hire a certified real estate agent, otherwise you may face some difficulty interacting or communicating with them properly. There are many reputable real estate agencies that will display their certificates both in office and online. However, it’s always beneficial to ask to verify their legal certificates to determine they run a legitimate practice.
Ask About Agent Sale’s Commission
This is an important question that should be clarified during your first meeting. You should have a general idea whether or not the commission is fixed or dependant on property details such as type of property. A commission structure can vary and is often negotiable. Things that affect commission can be property location or value, overhead costs, any applicable agency fees, and even last minute sales. Keep these factors in mind while negotiating commission costs with your real estate agent.
Ask About Current Market Conditions
Take some time to research the current real estate market conditions prior to investing your money into property. Your real estate agent will typically have valuable information and will be able to provide an estimated timeline for finding property suitable for your budget and preferences. An experienced agent will also have a better understanding of the market to ensure that the property options provided to you fit your needs and budget.
Ask About Prior Sales History
Many real estate agents are found via online searches or referrals. It’s important for you to know about your agent’s experience, background, and a history of properties that they have previously dealt with. Asking these types of questions will give you insight about the properties sold by this agent and how it aligns with your goals and preferences. You can also ask questions regarding their experience with previous clients. Finding a real estate agent who is reliable, professional, and is experienced in finding good property options can be difficult, however once you’ve done so, it’ll make finding a suitable property much easier. It’s important to invest this time to finding the right agent for you.
Ask Questions About The Seller
It can be helpful to know why the seller is moving and how long they have lived in the property. This information can give you a clear understanding if the home is suitable for your needs. There are many reasons to sell property, so finding out whether the sale is for positive or negative reasons can impact your interest in the property.
These are the types of things to ask your real estate agent when looking for a suitable property. The most important thing is to invest your time and money into working with a reliable and professional agent who can help you find the property of your dreams.