Questions to Ask Your Realtor

Whether you are making the decision to sell your current home, upgrade to a new one, or buy your first home, you want everything to run smoothly, and you want to achieve your real estate goals in the fastest amount of time, at the best price, and with no problems. The last thing you want to do is gamble! That is why you select a real estate professional who represents YOU. You deserve the best. But how do you make the decision as to which real estate professional is best for you? How do you know when you are hearing empty promises and when what you are hearing is the truth?

ABEK Real Estate encourages you to actually interview your prospective real estate professionals. By asking them the same questions, you should have a better idea as to the individual(s) that are right for you. To help you, ABEK Real Estate has generated several questions you may want to ask when you arrange an interview. We hope these 21 questions help you as you make this all important decision.

1. How long have you been helping people with real estate? This will help you to know whether or not the real estate professional you are interviewing is experienced or new to the field of real estate.

2. What real estate certifications do you have? Just as you want a physician who operates on you to have the appropriate certification and training, you should demand the same from your real estate professional. You want someone who has more than a license--you want someone who is continually learning and growing so that they can help you realize your dreams and goals.

3. How do you stay aware of current real estate issues? With all the changes in real estate practices, you want to make sure that your professional is constantly finding ways to inform you as to the best and most recent information that may impact you as a seller OR buyer.

4. How do you track economic & housing shifts/trends AND how do you inform your buyers/sellers? You want a real estate professional who watches what is happening in the market place AND lets you know so that you can make decisions as those shifts and trends occur. 

5. Are you personally affiliated with any referral networks of agents? Although your real estate professional may find the buyer for your home, you want to increase your chances of selling the home by making sure other agents know about it. You want an agent who has a large referral base that can increase the number of potential buyers who see your home. 

6. How have other Realtors recognized you for your accomplishments? One of the best indicators of success is recognition by peers. How have other professionals recognized the accomplishments of the individual you're considering? 

7. What systems do you have in place to ensure that everything is organized, efficient & legal? When you select a professional, you also select the systems they have in place to ensure a smooth, accurate flow. You don't want an agent who is having to track down a piece of paper that is crucial to the closing on your home AND you don't want to have a contract fail because your real estate professional didn't get something done. So have the agent SHOW you the systems they have to ensure that everything happens in an organized, efficient, and legal manner. 

8. What support do you receive from staff to facilitate the sale or purchase of property? You want a real estate professional who is focused on YOUR needs! So what office support do they have that ensures they can spend the time necessary to sell your home or help you find your dream home?

9. How many buyers & sellers did you help in the last 12 months? The average real estate professional finalizes only 3 or 4 transactions per year! ABEK Real Estate is on track for over 100 transactions this year! You want a professional who is successful and has a large database of sellers and buyers to contact to help you realize your real estate dream. 

10. Do you have a Buyer's Coordinator? Whether you are buying OR selling, this is a very important question. If you are selling your home, you want to know that your real estate professional has access to a Buyer's Coordinator that is actively working to find a buyer for you home. If you are purchasing a home, you want someone who is totally dedicated to helping you and who KNOWS the properties in this area--properties perfect for YOU. 

11. What is your list to sales price ratio vs. the market? Some professionals promise to list your home at a high price; however, what you want to know is how close to the listing price your house will sell. The average list to sales price ratio in this area right now is approximately 94%. However, ABEK Real Estate's ratio is over 97%. That could mean an additional 3% in your pocket--and on a $300,000 home, that's a substantial difference. Remember--the price for which your home is listed isn't nearly as important as the price for which it sells! If you are a buyer, ABEK Real Estate knows the market so well that they are able to help buyers negotiate contracts that are LESS than the average sales to list price ratio. That means more dollars to you!!

12. How do you determine MY requirements for selling or buying property? Whether you are selling or buying, it is important that your real estate professional understands YOUR goals. That is why ABEK Real Estate spends time asking you lots of questions and providing you with information regarding the current status of the market--time that is spent to help you make the decisions that are best for you. Our mission and focus is always on YOU--what do you want and how can ABEK Real Estate help you get there.

13. What help do you provide regarding financing, inspections, appraisals, etc.? Whether you are buying or selling, ABEK Real Estate will help you understand the activities that need to occur to make sure you and your contract or investment are protected. They understand the importance of these items as well as the importance of having qualified providers. 

14. How do you obtain information regarding potential properties that impact ME? If you are buying a home, ABEK Real Estate keeps a "wish list" for every buyer and compares it to each new listing. They also attend open houses to preview homes, again with your needs in mind. If you are selling, ABEK Real Estate constantly monitors real estate activity in your neighborhood. You will know of any activity that might have an impact on the potential sale of your property. 

15. How many staff members do you have to help you with the details? Just as ABEK Real Estate is composed of real estate professionals, they also have a full staff of professionals who are just as dedicated to helping your home sell or helping you find the home of your dreams. These staff members are specialists--whether they are answering the phone, distributing flyers, talking with prospective buyers and sellers, or marketing your property, they also focus on one thing and one thing only - YOU. 

16. What technology/communication do you use to stay in touch with your clients? Communication is key in ABEK Real Estate's office. Although we use telephones, facsimile machines, email, voice mail, the Internet, computers, and cell phones, the most important communication is when we can talk with you one on one. That is why we schedule regular calls to you to see how you are doing and to update you regarding what is happening in the marketplace. 

17. How frequently do you communicate with your clients? As stated before, communication is very important to ABEK Real Estate. ABEK Real Estate has a database of potential buyers and sellers who receive a monthly mailing. In addition, ABEK Real Estate mails cards to your neighborhood to let them know that your home or property is available! Whether they are interested in buying as a second or third property OR moving up, this makes sure they know personally that your home is on the market. 

18. What materials do you have to help me understand what you will do for ME? ABEK Real Estate will provide you a client profile form, a list of buyers and sellers ABEK Real Estate has helped, sample brochures highlighting your property (if you are a seller), samples of all of marketing materials, letters of recommendation from prior clients, and even names of clients that you can contact regarding the services that ABEK Real Estate provides. 

19. Do you provide a "satisfaction guaranteed" offer? ABEK Real Estate wants to be YOUR real estate team for life! That is why they guarantee your satisfaction. Whether you are selling or purchasing a home, ABEK Real Estate and the ABEK Team are dedicated to making sure it is an enjoyable experience for you. 

20. What "extras" do you provide? Systems and staff to ensure your experience will be problem free. They also provide you with years of expertise and knowledge. ABEK Real Estate knows the real estate market and are more than happy to share it. Whether it is letting you know of a sale or new listing that might be competing with your property, having access to a proven marketing program that is customized for your needs, the availability of a property you might want to preview or purchase, a review of your floor plans for your new home to make sure it is appealing to buyers years from now when you want to sell it, there are so many "extra" benefits you get when you select ABEK Real Estate to help you. 

21. How do you provide "one-stop shopping" as an option for clients? You have a busy schedule. Although you want to buy or sell your property, you don't want to have to run all over taking care of the details. That is why ABEK Real Estate offers one-stop shopping. When you select ABEK Real Estate, you have access to mortgage companies, appraisers, inspectors, title companies, and other experts that want to make this a hassle-free experience for you. One-stop shopping--designed with you and your schedule in mind.

If you have been considering using the services of a real estate professional, ABEK Real Estate hopes these questions will help you identify the professional that can best help you.

If you have questions regarding selecting a professional, call ABEK Real Estate today to get the answers. Call them today at (985) 646-2111 or toll-free at (877) 754-3355 for a free, no obligation consultation. Or, if you prefer, you can send an email to info@abek.com . You can also visit their Internet site at www.abek.com.