By Elizabeth McLachlan

Choosing a real estate agent can be tricky as there are so many to choose from. Make sure to sit down with various agents for an interview before you make your choice. Here are some questions that every seller should ask a real estate agent:

1. What experience do you have?

It is vital that you establish the amount of experience and knowledge an estate agent has before you choose one. Also ask about other special certification or areas of expertise that the agent might have.

2. Where will you be advertising my property?

A good agent will use all advertising mediums to advertise you property including billboards, brochures, open houses, newspaper listings and online listings. Be sure to also ask how often ads will be published.

3. What statistics can you show me about previous sales?

An estate agent should have a record of their previous transactions, including how many properties they have listed, how many properties they have sold, the average time it takes them to sell a property, etc. Use this opportunity to ask why some houses were not sold.

4. How accessible are you?

You need your agent to be easily accessible 24/7. If an agent tells you that they are only working part time, you have to accept that he/she won’t be available most of the time. You also want you estate agent to attend the open house personally and not an assistant.

5. What is your commission cut?

Make sure that you agree on this and that you are aware of all terms and conditions.

6. Do you have contactable references?

Ask for the last three sellers not necessarily the last 3 sellers that had their homes sold. You want to hear the good as well as the bad.

7. How many properties do you currently list in my area?

Note that it is a good thing if an agents has had a large number of properties in your area, because this way he/she will be up to date with recent sale activity in the area as well as market prices. What you don’t want is an agent that has a large number of properties in a more expensive area, as this will mean that he/she will focus more on the properties that offer more commission.

8. Are you registered with the Estate Agency Board?

The agent you choose should be registered with the local estate agency board or have an estate agent license. You can contact these institutions to ensure that you agent is registered and that he/she has a clean record, meaning no complaints have been filed against agent the particular agent.

9. What listing price do you suggest and why?

This is a very important question and the agent’s knowledge, experience in your area as well as reasoning behind the price should be taken into consideration. Beware of agents that say ‘yes’ to any price.

10. Do you offer any other services?

Ask agents if they often any other services and if they can make referrals such as property inspectors, bond originators, moving companies etc. Also find out if an agent has any help from assistant or other staff to ensure that he/she will be able to get to all the services that is promised

About the Author: Realtors International Chapmans Peak has expert real estate agents selling

Noordhoek real estate

. A&H Prestige, an agency also located in Cape Town, also sells

Atlantic Seaboard property

along with

Cape Town rental accommodation

.

Source:

isnare.com

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