Purchasing a home is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make, which is why working with the right real estate agent is equally as important. Fortunately, by vetting them carefully, you can find the agent that best represents your needs. Here are a few important questions to ask real estate agents during interviews. 

Questions to Ask Potential Real Estate Agents

1. How long have you been in business?

Being successful in real estate involves being incredibly familiar with the market and maintaining a network of buyers and sellers, so look for a real estate agent with a lot of experience. Talk with potential candidates about how long they have been working in the industry, and what kinds of sales they have brokered. While there is no magic number of years that make a candidate better than another agent, make sure the person you work with is knowledgeable about the local market and understands what you are looking for. 

2. What is your negotiating strategy? 

When you are selling a house, you’ll want top dollar, and when you are shopping for a new place, you will want to tip the scales in your favor with a rock-bottom price and a home filled with extras. Talk with real estate agents about their personal negotiating strategies and ask them to recount successful negotiations they have won in the past. 

3. What is your average list to sales ratio?

If you plan to sell your existing home, ask real estate agents what their average list to sales ratio is like. The closer they are to selling homes for their listing prices, the more accurate they are at gauging the market and negotiating the deal. 

4. Which qualities separate you from your competition? 

Every real estate agent is different, so ask what makes them special. Talk with real estate agents about what sets them apart from others in the market and how they will personally improve your experience. 

Whether you are in the market for a new home or you are thinking about listing your current place for sale, the team at Lawrence Realty can help. Based out of Red Wing, MN, this locally owned, 3rd generation business has been trusted since 1948 to help people find their perfect homes. Explore their current listings by visiting their website or give their office a call at (651) 388-4745 to book an appointment with a real estate agent.