CataList Homes has created this checklist to assist home sellers in choosing a competent and professional agent. Print this checklist and ask the right questions.
| How long have they been selling? |
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| How many homes did your agent sell last year? |
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| Of these, how many times did they represent the Seller? |
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| Is the agent full time? |
Yes / No |
| What is their commission split with the company
(Percentage of the commission the agent gives to company they work for)
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| Do they focus on Buyers or Sellers? |
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| Is the marketing budget paid by the agent or firm? |
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| Is the focus of advertising |
the home / the agent |
| Will the address of my home be included in the advertisement? |
Yes / No |
| What is the budget in $$$ for the marketing plan? |
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| Common sense suggests that agents who pay for advertising by themselves are more likely to reduce marketing budgets or self promote on your display ads. Many Realtors have no planned budget. If your agent refuses to commit to a budget, they may not have one. |
| Source |
Cost |
Frequency |
Description |
| Newspaper Ads |
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| Mailings |
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| Open House |
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| Yard Sign |
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What sites do they use?
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What is the address of the agent's website?
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| Does the agent's firm withhold permission to display your home on other Realtor's web sites (a potentially large audience) |
Yes / No |
| Virtual Tour? |
Yes / No |
| Digital Photos? |
Yes / No |
| Digital Photos of the interior? |
Yes / No |
| Make sure your address and digital photos/virtual tours posted for your home on the various Internet sites. Without this content, people are less likely to view your home. |
| Will I have my own web page on your Internet site to view project status? |
Yes / No |
| Will you disclose to me all of the interested buyers who inquired on my home? |
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| How do you track and manage all of your buyer inquiries? |
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| Many agents do not have the ability to provide detailed reports on buyer activity and marketing progress. Very few have a personal client web page. If your agent is not accountable now, they won't be accountable in crunch time when you need them. |
| What percent commission will be charged? |
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| Approximate price of home: |
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| Commission expense: |
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| Initial Down Payment Made: |
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| Estimated Home Equity |
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| Real Commission Percentage (Commission / Home Equity) |
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| What discounts on closings costs have you negotiated for me? |
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| Do you feel confident that the agent will represent your interests? |
Yes / No |
| Is this person who you really want to represent your home and your family? |
Yes / No |
| Do you feel pressure to list your home with this agent? |
Yes / No |
| Pushy salespeople are going to be very stressful to work with for the next three months or so. Go on to the next interview if you're not happy. Always check at least two references! |
PRINT THIS OUT AND SAVE IT FOR THE NEXT TIME YOU INTERVIEW A REALTOR.
YOU'RE IN CONTROL! DEMAND THE BEST. |
