Not every real estate agents are the same. If you have decided to use an agent in the selling or purchase of your home, make sure you do your research and ask a lot of questions before you sign a contract.

Choosing the correct agent in is among the crucial matters that can either cost or conserve thousands of dollars for you. Remember, everything isn't equal.

Finding an agent is just like every other hiring procedure - with you positioned in the employer's chair. Buying real estate is a huge financial investment and you want to make sure that you have the right people on your side. Following is a list of things you need to be sure to ask your agent as soon as possible.

1. Do you make it easy for buyers to get information about my home?

You may be surprised to know that the two marketing tools that agents use to sell homes (open houses and extravagant company ads) they are not very helpful. In fact, according to The National Association of Realtors, less than 3% of people purchase their home as a result of calling on a company ad, and less than 1% of homes are sold at an open house. How do the majority of houses in Newton MA offer for sale? Plain and simple - The Multiple Listing Service. All agents from every company can sell and show homes that are listed on the MLS.

Also, the potential buyers of your home who call for info most likely don't want to waste their time, or yours. No one wants to deal with having to play a game of phone tag with an agent or an unsolicited sales pitch. Make
sure the ad your agent places for your home is attached to a 24 hour pre-recorded hotline with a specific ID # for your home which gives buyers access
to detailed information about your property day or night 7 days a week. This particular system has show that nearly 3 times as many buyers will call to inquire about your home. And remember, the more buyers you have competing for your home the better, because it sets up an auction-like atmosphere that puts you in the driver’s seat.

2. Why are you qualified for your current rate and what is it?

Never go along with a commission amount if you haven't had a demonstration of precisely what the sales rep will do to earn it. FACT - Real Estate law does NOT regulate commissions!

3. Are there a minimum of three assistants available to help you?

A majority of agents work alone with no support, making it hard for them to give you a consistently higher level of service. A career in real estate is very diverse. In the same way that you wouldn't anticipate physicians or attorneys doing the work of receptionists. [Profile.market2] real estate agent
shouldn’t be spending their time on simple, but time consuming tasks that could
be delegated. You should ask yourself how much time they really have to get you home in and if the agent doesn't have assistants to cover each aspect of your transaction. [Profile.market2] sold. Note: An assistant is much different than the company receptionist. The firm's secretary performs tasks for the entire Realtor staff, however an assistant solely answers to a single sales rep and is accredited as a real estate professional.

4. How, specifically, do you attract buyers?

The agent should be able to explain, step-by-step, how they attract buyers and show you evidence. If they can’t, hire another agent! Do not hire any agent that tells you their reputation will somehow attract buyers! Outrageous claims require specific proof!

5. What has been sold in my area?

Your agent should be expected to provide a list of other similar sales that have taken place in the same market.

6. What kind of advertising will you do to get our  house closed on?

You know you are in trouble if your agent seems to believe it will be possible to sell your home using only one method, such as an open house, a mediocre website, or a big company ad. Play them be specialized and put what business they declare in penning!

7. Are you usually able to sell your listing at close to the asking price?

How well your agent performs on the measure will give you an indication of the price you may receive when you sell your home.

8. Calculate the number of buyers that you have contact with. Do you have a list? How do you keep a record of people who buy from you?

Obviously the more buyers your agent is working with, the better your chances are of selling your home quickly. In addition, it will affect selling amount since a Realtor with a lot of prospects can create a kind of bidding war with a lot of homebuyers placing offers simultaneously. Describe the system they use for working with these buyers. The list of buyers should be with them at all times. If they have a lot of buyers, they will certainly need a computerized system to keep track of them. In the event that they either are unable or refuse to provide you with a purchasers list, employ a different sales rep!
Note- The difference between a list of buyers and a print out of a database is BIG. The financial qualifications of the buyer and the property type they're interested in should be included in an actual buyer's list. This type of list is the only type that will suffice.

9. What makes you different? Why should I choose you to be my real estate agent?

The real estate market is a lot more complicated then it has been in the past. What unique plans and programs does this agent have in place to make sure that your home in Boston MA stands out favorably among other competing homes? What does this agent offer to you to sell your home that others don't, with no hassle and for the most amount of money? What technological methods are put into use to assist in the sale of my home? Can you give me a demonstration of that technology? Take note - Among the most successful implements in real estate now are round-the-clock call services, online interactivity, 'talking home' systems, instant faxes, and so on. Don't forget that they should show you while they're in your own house.

10. Can I remove my listing any time I desire?

Your listing at any time if you decide not to sell your home or if you are not satisfied with the service being provided and don't ever sign anything unless this agent can guarantee, in writing that they will cancel.

Optional Bonus Questions: Inquire how they would compare their own services to other companies, and be as specific as you can. You can inquire about different companies.

If the agent you are working with tries to make any other company look bad, don't hesitate to fire them and work with someone else. Obtain the true information on your own! Also, if they boast about their selling prowess, how they're the best or the number of houses they sell, run. Sometimes it seems like most real estate companies in Newton is claiming to be #1.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing Newton real estate assessments and sales. To learn more regarding current homes for sale, property values, and the real estate market in general, you will be glad to know that there is a very complete website online. It is dedicated to providing complete real estate information. Be sure to visit it. I would be happy to answer your questions about mortgages. I hope you will feel free to call me with any questions you may have. You can reach me on my cellular phone at 617-332-3420 or email me at susie@move2boston.com.