8 QUESTIONS BUYERS SHOULD ASK REAL ESTATE AGENTS
8 QUESTIONS BUYERS SHOULD ASK
REAL ESTATE AGENTS
1) HOW MANY HOMES HAVE YOU SOLD IN THE LAST 12 TO 24 MONTHS?
This number will be a good indicator of whether they work part-time or full-time, as well as if they’re merely somewhat productive or highly productive.
HL &P Answer: You can see all recent sales on our Zillow page and Compass profile
2) CAN I HAVE THE CONTACT INFORMATION FOR A FEW OF YOUR RECENT CLIENTS?
Realtors can tell you how great they are until they’re blue in the face, but to hear the actual experience from a past client will give you genuine feedback about what you can expect from the Realtor. It can be very enlightening to hear about the agent from a client’s perspective. And it will help you judge if the agent is a good fit for you. You should also check their reviews online.
HL &P Answer: You can check out our reviews on Zillow, Google, and LinkedIn. I’m also happy to connect you with past clients if you’d prefer additional references. Our business is built on referrals. We pride ourselves on having long term relationships with our clients.
3) ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH OUR AREA?
Good knowledge of your neighborhood is essential in providing guidance and determining price. If agents can point to previous transactions they have conducted in your area, this is even better. Is their familiarity merely anecdotal or do they have analytics to support their findings?
HL &P Answer: We are happy to provide a list of our recent sales. In general we service the City of Chicago and immediate suburbs. We truly want you to work with the agent that can best represent you. If you are looking to buy or sell a home in an area we do not typically service, we are happy to refer you to an agent that would be a better fit for you.
4) WHAT SETS YOU APART FROM OTHER AGENTS?
The agent should look the part and impress you with their professionalism. While it’s easy to be impressed by flashy marketing, make sure the agent has solid experience and is doing more for you than setting a search online and opening doors to homes!
HL &P Answer: We’ve found that in a tight market creating inventory is essential for our buyers. Other agents may be limited to only showing you homes that are on the market. We have access to pre-market listings and is willing to prospect off-market homes for you! While other agents may only want to assist you when you are ready to write an offer, we believe in setting a foundation and starting a relationship even if buying a home is years away. We are in this for the long haul and are honest with our clients. It is so important to us that you love your home and experience working with our team. Our goal is to earn your future business and referrals. You are more than a transaction to us.
5) DO YOU WORK WITH FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS?
Buying a home is not the most difficult process but it is a multi-step process that can be overwhelming. You will want someone that will not be bothered by your questions and is willing to educate you on the process while still leaving you to make decisions.
HL &P Answer: Did you know owning real estate is one way to passively build generational wealth? We’ve learned that often the only reason qualified buyers aren’t becoming homeowners is they are intimidated by the process. Haley Levine & Partners was founded on the belief that educated buyers are happier and less stressed, which is why we started our free “How to buy a home” webinar. We share every step of the home buying process, and how to avoid common pitfalls along the way.
6) HOW DO YOU COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR CLIENTS?
Also, ask about the agent’s availability. Will you have a direct number to call or text your agent? Are they available 7 days a week?
HL &P Answer:You can always text or call me directly! Once you are under contract we will provide you with a transaction coordinator that is available to respond to you ASAP. Most importantly we will ask how YOU want to communicate and will work to fit your needs and expectations.
7) WHAT DOES THE MARKET LOOK LIKE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD?
The news will discuss the national real estate market, or even what the trends are in your major metropolitan area. But, what does the market look like for three bedroom condos in Logan Square over the last year?
HL &P Answer:I’m more than happy to provide you with in-depth current market data for your micro market. Really, ask me for some stats. I love diving deep into each neighborhood market and leveraging data points to strengthen my clients buying power.
8) HOW WILL YOU REPRESENT US?
This answer in general will give you an understanding on whether or not your agent has a clear grasp on the real estate process, and whether or not they are willing (and able) to articulate it to you.
HL &P Answer:I will be there for you throughout the entire buying process. Prior to touring homes I will share the buying process from start to finish. I’ll aid in home inspections, mortgage approval and guidance through each step of the home buying process.
A good follow up question would be, “Do you have a team? Am I going to get passed off to a newbie agent?”
HL &P Answer: We have really found the sweet spot when it comes to doing a high volume of sales while remaining personal. We have fantastic showing agents on our team that allow us to make sure you never miss out on touring a home before it sells. However these agents are assisting me and I personally will be handling your negotiations leveraging my years of experience and relationships. You will not be handed off to a new agent to negotiate one of the largest purchases of your life.
HALEY LEVINE & PARTNERS | HALEY@HALEYLEVINE.COM I 847.644.6848