Here’s the scenario: You want to sell your home, and while you keep hearing that it’s a “seller’s market,” you also know that doesn’t guarantee a smooth sale, or that you’ll get the best price for your home. .

So, start looking for a real estate agent. Perhaps use your local Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Maybe you ask your friends and family. Maybe a bus bench catches your eye (Gasp, cackle, whisper, whisper. More on this false pause later).

You book an appointment with a fictional real estate agent mentioned above, and one of your friends tells you to Google a list of questions to ask him. After all, that real estate agent probably doesn’t know Google. They certainly wouldn’t search the same list of questions, and would never Assume you’ve seen that list, and tailor your answers to fit it.

Good?!

Mistaken. Interviewing a real estate agent is not about checking a box on a recommended to-do list. It’s about building a relationship with a professional and having the confidence that they will do the job right. There are a million different pieces to the puzzle that is a real estate transaction, and you need to be sure that your real estate agent knows how to put them together or knows how to solve them.

So what should you ask? Here are some suggestions:

1. “Tell me about the current market.” Although it is generic, there is actually a lot to learn from such a query. Listen carefully and follow up on his response. If they say something general like “It’s a buyer’s market,” ask them why. Ask how long this is expected to continue.
2. “Is there a particular market in which you do most of your work?” This is almost a trick question, but not quite. If you’re selling an urban loft, but this realtor works primarily in residential single-family homes, it shouldn’t necessarily disqualify you. Many successful real estate agents will tell you that their skills and abilities travel from one area to another; your ability to articulate this will speak volumes about your professional capabilities. Take notes.
3. “What made you join your brokerage?” Every brokerage is different. Some offer their agents a great deal of flexibility in a number of ways; these are often popular with established agents. Some are somewhat more regulated, with identity standards and guidelines. Knowing exactly why your real estate agent joined your brokerage will give you an idea of ​​their strengths, weaknesses, and goals.
4. “Do you use the bus benches to promote yourself?” If so, run to the other side.