How to Interview a Listing Agent
Hi, I’m Sophia Sanchez, Tampa Real Estate Broker. Below are five important questions to bring up or consider when you’re interviewing a listing agent to represent your home sale.
The first question to consider is how did you find the agent? Was it by referral? Was it through someone that you know that had a great experience?
The second question will going to be about their administrative staff. Who do they have on the back end to help them with transaction management and finer details in the process? Sometimes, when I’m out listing and working with my clients, I may not have time to get listing details pulled together quickly so my administrative staff is there to assist me with this. Their support allows us to be as expeditious as possible for our clients. The listing agent’s administrative support setup on the back end is beneficial to understand.
The third question is how are their negotiation skills? This comes up a lot, and sellers oftentimes ask for a discount on the broker’s listing fee. But I will tell you, and this is my mindset and how it’s always been: if they are so quick to give away their money as the agent taking the listing on, how quickly are they going to be to give away your money during negotiations with a buyer? When it comes down to the offer on the table, consider that. You are paying for full service if you’re hiring an agent that’s presented themselves to you. If they’re working with you on multiple purchases and transactions, that’s a different story. But at the onset, they should be able to negotiate with you strongly and demonstrate that skill one-on-one, just as they would when negotiating a contract that comes in on your property.
The fourth is creativity and how the property is presented to the marketplace. Strategy is everything. Do not hire an agent just because you always see their signs in yards around town. Ask thoughtful questions about what they will do for you, and how they will think outside the box to get a broader reach. The name of the game is how big the net they’re casting is and what they are doing to let every buyer in the marketplace know what’s going on with your home, why it’s so incredible, and why they need to pay top dollar for it.
And then, lastly, you’re hiring the agent, not the brokerage. Even if the agent works for a big brand with brand recognition, you’re ultimately hiring the agent and their experience level to help observe you. You will be in a close relationship with that agent, so be sure you choose the agent, not the brokerage.
Hopefully, this gave you some great points on your journey for home selling. If you have any questions, please email me. Otherwise, I’d love to be interviewed for the opportunity to sell your home. Thank you.
