20 Questions to Ask Before Choosing Your Realtor

1. How much experience do you have?

This is a good question to ask. Find out how long they've been in the business, how many homes they've sold, and what extra designtations they have. Are they an associate broker? Do they have their Accredited Buyer Representative designation?  

2. What can your company do for me?

Some services are provided by the agent, and some by the company? Will the agent be making a personal investment in your success or is it on the company's dime? In either case, find out who does what and what the benefits are. Nobody in the world says more homes than RE/MAX.  

3. How closely do you follow the market?

Once it hits the news, it's too late. Your agent should be ahead of the curve with up-to-date market information, pricing trends, as well as days on the market.

4. What kind of support staff do you have?

Nobody can be in two places at once. Ask what type of backup, support, and phone assistance your agent has. If they don't have any, the're either 1) too unproductive to need one or 2)unreachable when you need them. Look for an agent that has a team, a transaction coordinator, a showing coordinator, and a marketing director.  

5. How will you make my life easier?

A great agent simplifies the process by handling everything for you so you can live your life. Buying or selling shouldn't be your second full time job. Choose an agent that will take the time to get to know you and your real estate needs. A little knowledge goes a long way.  

6. How often will you communicate with me?

The number one complaint by buyers and sellers is that their agent didn't communicate with them enough. Remember, you can ask this question but you'll have to take the word of the agent unless you've been referred by a friend or past client.   

7. What percentage of your listings do you sell?

The average in Salt Lake County for 2007 was less than 50%. That's not good. In the same period, Tony Fantis sold 100% of his full term homes and condos. See our listing services page for more information.  

8. Are you full time or part time?

Is it possible for a part time Realtor to be faster than the competition, to have superior market knowledge, and to represent your best interests at all times? Will they have the type of full time knowledge and experience you're seeking? Probably not.  

9. How many homes have you sold?

The important element here is to find out how capable the agent is, as well as how much real world experience has been obtained. It takes a lot of sales before an agent polishes negotiation tactics, neighborhood trends, home values, and contract knowledge.  

10. Do you pre-qualify buyers?

A successful agent always pre-qualifies buyers, and for several reasons. 1) Security. Showing homes to people who have not made their identity known can be risky for people and for property. 2) Valuable time. Why waste the buyer's AND the seller's time by showing homes to someone who isn't qualified?  

11. What kind of marketing do you utilize?

Many kinds of marketing exist, and some are more powerful than others. We utilize reflective yard signs with advertised websites, newspapers, direct mail, email, sales meetings, bottomless color flyers, radio, professional photography, virtual tours, a showing coordinator, and much more. For a list of services we offer, view our listing services web page.  

12. How many homes did you sell last year?

The best measure of future performance is past performance.  

13. Do you work with first time buyers?

Most people will answer "yes" to this question, but are they willing to sit down with you and discuss the purchase process and how it all works? Do they take the time to make sure all your questions are answered, or are they pushy?  

14. When will Utah become a "buyer beware" state?

The Utah real estate purchase contract is changing...again. Ask your agent if they know about it. Later this year, Section 10.2 wil be deleted from the contracts, leaving buyers with no guarantee that critical heating, cooling, plumbing, foundation, electrical, sprinkler and other systems of the house are in working order. When they say "buyer beware" they mean it! We'll walk you through effective strategies to protect yourself...and your big investment.  

15. What percentage of your business is by referral?

Referrals and repeat business are the best way to measure an agent's success. A lower percentage likely indicates a lack of confidence by buyers and sellers in that agent. At the Fantis Group, the majority of our business comes from past clients and referrals.  

16. Do you have your own website?

Ask what they have, and then go look at it/them. Does it look professional? It may be a reflection of the same marketing and care you're about to receive. Most agent websites do little to help their buyers and sellers. Self-promotion is important in any business, but there should be plenty of focus on the client's needs, too. And don't forget to check out the company website, as well.  

17. In what area of the city do you work?

Utah Realtors are licensed to work in the entire state. The main point here is determining how much market knowlegde and neighborhood info you want from your agent. At the Fantis Group , we focus on a the Salt Lake metropolitan real estate market.

18. What type of signs do you use?

There's MUCH more than the sign itself that matters here.Be sure to ask the following questions: How long does it take to get the sign in the yard? Does the sign point to a website where people can see my home? Is my home on the front page of that site? Do you utilize reflective signs that can be seen at night? How do you handle buyer's calls from the sign? Do you provide bottomless, full color, professionally designed and photographed flyers on my sign?   

19. Will I get a professional virtual tour of my home online?

More than 80% of buyers select homes by first taking tours online. If you don't have a tour, you just lost 80% of the market! But what kind of tour is it? Are the photos taken by a professional or by a handheld do-it-yourselfer? Stunning photography is critical when first impressions are everything and second impressions just don't happen.  

20. What happens when you go out of town?

Everybody needs a vacation, but should they take one at your expense? Who handles their calls while they are away? Who can show houses while they're gone? Who can negotiate contacts and handle unexpected surprises? At the Fantis Group, you're always covered!