Trying to handle a home sale or purchase personally without a real estate broker in San Diego would probably bring more costs rather than save on costs. Making the decision to hire a real estate broker may seem an easy feat, but a buyer or seller who doesn’t know what to look for in one, could end up with an inexpedient or unqualified broker. Here are some questions to obtain satisfactory answers to before hiring a realtor.
How long have you been in the industry?
The real estate industry thrives on experience. Nevertheless, good client management should not be traded for experience. A realtor who is inexperienced but lively, energetic and willing to learn on the go, is a better choice than an experienced realtor with whom it is difficult to relate.
The realtor’s communication skills also matter. Ask for information on how they handle clients and also how they answer client’s queries.
Have you recently sold any properties in this area?
Usually, a real estate broker, including one in San Diego will specialize in a particular kind of property. It’ll be good to find out which properties the realtor has had experience selling or buying. A realtor with at least three years of experience selling a property similar to the one listed, would probably have some prospective buyers in mind they can contact on your behalf.
What price range can I expect?
The best person to give a near accurate estimation of what to expect for a listed house is an experienced realtor. The realtor should provide support for the claim by showing evidence of previous sales. It shouldn’t be all talk and no action.
What is the cost for advertising?
The two forms of advertising are traditional and digital. Traditional is simply the well known forms of advertising, signboards, newspapers, magazines, brochures, etc. While digital is online means like email, classified ads, blogs and websites. Who will be fronting these costs? This should be cleared up from the beginning to avoid unnecessary surprises.
How long before a sale is made?
Although there are several factors affecting the sale of a home, an experienced realtor will be able to give you an estimate (not an exact number) to look forward to.
How much are your fees and are they negotiable?
Do not abuse this question buy trying to pick the realtor with the cheapest quote. However, it should be an opportunity to witness firsthand the negotiation skills of the realtor. A smart realtor will be firm with the quoted fee and show evidence to justify the quote.
Which is the best way to sell the home?
This is probably the main reason a realtor is being hired, to figure out the best way to sell off a home.
Some types of campaigns a realtor may recommend are an auction, sale via price on application (POA), sale via expression of interest (EOI), tender through written bids and normal sale.
Banks foreclosing on a property usually sell off via auction, where the home is sold off to the highest bidder. An EOI sale involves prospective buyers submitting to the seller a bid to purchase the home before the set deadline. POA is just a preliminary invitation to show interest after which more details will be provided to prospective buyer.
Remember to clear with the realtor how viewing will be arranged. Will it be at your convenience during previously scheduled periods or an appointment will be fixed per prospective buyer?
Can listed references be contacted?
Any realtor worth their salt would be more than happy to permit you to contact their references even where permission was not sought. After all, the purpose of the reference list was for someone to call and confirm the expertise of the realtor.
