realtor questions

Time on the job?

• How long have you been a licensed realtor?
• How long have you been selling homes?
• Most real estate techniques are learned while doing.
• You can also run the agent in the State Licensing system.
• Maybe a difference from licensed year and "on the job".

agent Pricing stats

• How close were your listing prices compared to sales prices?
• Listing price - the amount the agent listed the home for.
• Selling price - the offering amount agreed upon by the seller.
• Could be two very different numbers - indicating agent's skill level.
• Hot versus Cool real estate market can also impact these numbers.

personal and brokerage track record

• Two fold question
• How many homes did you sell last year?
• How many homes did your brokerage sell last year?
• This is a good Guage of Experience.
• But remember, everyone has to start somewhere...

Pricing and sales skill

• On average, how long did it take you to sell a listing?
• Ask them the "market average" Days on Market.
• Then ask them how they stack up personally.
• Longer time frames could equate to "overpricing".
• Shorter time frames could equate to "underpricing".

marketing strategies

• What types "of marketing" are you going to implement to sell my home?
• Must be more than a "for sale" sign in the front yard.
• Must be more than placing home in the Multiple Listing Service.
• Active approaches - networking groups, door knocking neighbors.
• Mailers, open houses, buyer presentations, online ranking.

who's your daddy?

• Are you going to represent me 100%?
• Is there a chance you or your team may also represent a buyer?
• This is called dual agency - when a realtor represents the seller and buyer
• In most states, this is legal, in some it is not.
• Make sure your Chosen Realtor is on your side 100%, with either scenario.

Other service providers?

• Asking who makes the "cut" to be on their preferred vendor list.
• A real estate transaction is made up of other parties than just your realtor
• Does your agent make their recommendations because of Good Service?
• Or is there something else or some other reason?
• Ask them if they are going to be able to recommend and why "those vendors"!

team versus solo agent

• Do you have a team?
• Are these "team members" direct employees of you?
• Are these "team members" direct employees of you?
• Who am I going to be dealing with throughout the transaction?
• Who are your Specific Team Members and their assigned duties?

"open ended question"

• Ask, "What is your business philosophy?"
• Then stand back and watch the magic.
• Most agents will go on and on. 
• Listen Carefully to their word choices.
• It should be more about you than themselves.

communication

• How often are you going to give me updates?
• How are you going to give me the updates?
• Email, text, phone call, twitter, facebook, google plus?
• Who's going to update me, you, secretary, etc?
• Tell the agent how you want to be updated, you're the BOSS!

References

• Please give me names and phone numbers to three of your recent clients.
• Call them up, ask them about if they'd work with the realtor again.
• Verify some of the questions you asked about communication etc.
• See if they are really the "bees knees".

Real Estate certifications

• When I was with the LAPD, we had continuing education.
• Becoming better at tactics and shooting were critical.
• So was emergency driving in the police car and on the police motorcycle.
• Real Estate has training that makes us all Better Realtors.
• What types of "Secondary Training" have you had Mr./Mrs. Realtor?

aka:  Paris911

The Paris911 Team

• REMAX of Santa Clarita CA - Each office independently owned and operated
• 25101 The Old Road, Santa Clarita CA, 91381 661-400-1720
• "not your mothers realtors :) " CA BRE 01238457 Connor T. MacIvor
• Paris911 build one client at a time, Google our team to see who we are.
• Be safe - thanks for watching and reach out to us when you are ready.