What should I ask a real estate agent before hiring them?

Question 1

Kathleen Militello · Accepted Answer

Ask about recent sales in your town, pricing philosophy, marketing specifics, communication style, and how they handle the rough patches. And yes, interview more than one, because this is a working partnership, not a formality. Good questions: What have you sold in this neighborhood in the last year, and can I see the numbers? How would you price my home and why? What is your marketing plan, and where exactly will it appear? How often will we talk? How do you handle a slow showing period or an offer that needs push-back? Equally telling is what they ask you. The best agents want to know your timeline, your goals, your situation, and what you need from the process, because a plan built on listening is a plan that fits. A second or third interview is not disloyalty; it is diligence. You are choosing the person who will negotiate your largest asset. Towns like Salem, Beverly, and Newburyport each have distinct buyer bases, so ask an agent how their recent business in your specific town went, town-specific numbers beat general experience every time.

Question 2

Should I interview more than one real estate agent?

Kathleen Militello · Accepted Answer

Ask about recent sales in your town, pricing philosophy, marketing specifics, communication style, and how they handle the rough patches. And yes, interview more than one, because this is a working partnership, not a formality. Good questions: What have you sold in this neighborhood in the last year, and can I see the numbers? How would you price my home and why? What is your marketing plan, and where exactly will it appear? How often will we talk? How do you handle a slow showing period or an offer that needs push-back? Equally telling is what they ask you. The best agents want to know your timeline, your goals, your situation, and what you need from the process, because a plan built on listening is a plan that fits. A second or third interview is not disloyalty; it is diligence. You are choosing the person who will negotiate your largest asset. Towns like Salem, Beverly, and Newburyport each have distinct buyer bases, so ask an agent how their recent business in your specific town went, town-specific numbers beat general experience every time.

What should I ask a real estate agent before hiring them?

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