Ten Important Questions to Ask a Realtor

Selling your home is one of those milestone decisions in life, and the real estate agent you choose to help you do that is a key component of the home selling process. Just like almost everything else, there’s a wide range of experience and ability among realtors, so be prepared to evaluate them to find the right real estate agent for you. If you're preparing to sell or buy a home in Sioux Falls, asking the right questions during a realtor interview is key to finding a trusted, experienced agent who understands the local market. Beyond seeking out some of the most important qualities of the ideal agent, here are some of the big questions to ask each potential realtor.

And if you’re a home buyer, click over to see the questions to ask a realtor when buying a house.

How much experience do you have?

An experienced agent knows what works and what doesn’t when selling a house, so choosing one who has years or decades of experience in the local market will streamline your preparation to sell and help avoid common pitfalls that new real estate agents are more prone to make. Experience matters—especially in a competitive market like Sioux Falls. A seasoned agent will bring negotiation skills, pricing insight, and marketing strategy to the table.

Professionalism is also important, and a high-quality prospective agent should be backed by a reputable real estate broker and be a member of the National Association of Realtors.

How many homes have you helped sell in the past year?

In the end, you’re looking to partner with a great agent who can deliver the results you’re looking for. A realtor who can prove that they’re actively closing real estate transactions for their sellers should be at the top of your list, as long as the selling price doesn’t stray too far from the asking price.

Do you have a team or other resources to help?

In today’s world, it takes a lot to grab the attention of a prospective buyer, and working with a strong real estate team can bring the right advice, staging, marketing, showing, and negotiating talent to the table to work for you.

Often a full-service brokerage can not only match you with the best listing agent, but also leverage their skills with cutting-edge technology, an expansive network, and powerful home selling tools.

What types of homes or price ranges do you specialize in?

All real estate agents gravitate toward a niche area of their real estate market, and you’ll want to find one who not only aspires to represent homes like yours, but has actual experience listing and selling similar properties. While the nuances between market segments might not seem obvious, they can make a significant difference when it comes to marketing to the right audience and getting the best selling price possible.

Who have you worked for?

If you don’t already know your potential agent from a friend or family member, they should have a list of referrals readily available for you to call and talk to. Ask as many past clients as you’d like about their experience with the realtor until you feel comfortable that they’d be a good fit for you.

Why should I choose you?

Knowing what sets this real estate agent apart from the rest can help you make a good decision about who to go with, especially if you’ve got a few good agents on your list to pick from. Some of what sets the Tyler Goff Group apart are our local expertise, personalized approach, cutting-edge technology and marketing, and commitment to an exceptional client experience.

How available are you?

Not every realtor works full-time, and that may be fine as long as their schedule fits nicely with yours so you can collaborate when needed and get timely updates on the home selling process.

How many clients do you currently have?

This related question can act as a red flag if the agent seems to have more clients than they can keep up with. If they’re too busy working for other clients, your listing will suffer from a lack of attention.

How do you communicate? And how often?

It’s always a good idea to set proper expectations when it comes to communication. There are many ways a seller’s agent can communicate – by phone, text, email, app, etc. – but you’ll want to make sure they reach you in a format that best fits your lifestyle. Also try to agree on a consistent cadence of communication so you always feel like you’re in the loop as things are (or aren’t) happening. Here are some examples of what communication from your Realtor should look like.

How much do you charge?

Real estate commissions can vary but are often 5%-6%. They’re typically split between the buyer’s agent and seller’s agent, and normally paid by the seller. Find out what you’ll have to pay in realtor fees upon a successful home sale, as well as what it will cost if you choose to cancel the listing.

Have another important question to ask a realtor, or just real estate questions in general? Call or message a member of the Tyler Goff Group team today. We’re always happy to answer your questions and show you how our modern tools and local expertise can help you buy or sell with confidence in the Sioux Falls area.