Some decisions do not require an abundant amount of research. Where should we go for dinner? Which movies are playing? Does the dog need a bath? The answers lie within common sense or a quick Google search at best. Having a laissez-faire approach to everyday occurrences is suitable, but when it comes to hiring a real estate agent, you’ll need to put in a little more time and effort.
To get you started, here are three questions to ask a real estate agent before you hire them:
“How Long Have You Lived Here?”
If you notice that your real estate agent has to update the GPS with every stop, you may want to look elsewhere. A long-time resident REALTOR will know the area better than an agent who just moved in.
For example, let’s say that you want to live in the country, but you want to have a marina nearby so that you can dock your boat. A real estate agent who knows the area will be able to identify the best location for you quickly and only show you listings that best fit your criteria.
“Which Types of Homes Do You Specialize In?”
If you’re selling a lakefront condo and you’re interviewing a real estate agent who specializes in small homes for first-time homebuyers, then you may want to keep looking. An agent who has experience in representing the type of home that you are selling is going to have a stronger network of potential buyers and a tried-and-true strategy of marketing your listing.
Which brings us to our last question.
“How Will You Market My Listing?”
The real estate market is incredibly competitive, so understanding how your agent is planning on positioning your listing is important. What has been the most effective marketing strategy they’ve used so far? Do they market outside of the area? If the agent you’re interviewing has no real strategy, continue searching.
I would love the opportunity to meet with you in person to discuss buying or selling your Smith Mountain Lake home. Contact me directly to set up a consultation.
