If you’re selling a home, choosing your real estate agent is an important decision. The agent you should work with is one that both understands your goals and objectives and also sees the importance of meeting your needs. Your agent is the key to a successful real estate experience. Choosing the right agent doesn’t have to be a painful experience, but it should involve some questions.

Start the process by asking your friends, family, and coworkers for recommendations. Look at agent reviews on websites like Yelp to see what others are saying. When you’ve narrowed down your list, select two to five agents to meet with for a preliminary interview.

Once you’ve selected a few agents, it’s time to start the interview process. Avoid real estate agents that promise unrealistic attainable suggestions. For example, don’t hire the agent that gives you the highest list price, just because he or she gave you the highest price. Instead, use these questions as a guide to helping you find the most compatible real estate agent.

1. Are you a member of the National Association of Realtors(NAR)? Note: Members of this organization are required to follow the NAR code of ethics.
2. How many years have you been involved in real estate?
3. How many homes did you sell last year?
4. Is real estate your full-time job?
5. What is the price range of most of your home sales?
6. In which neighborhoods do you typically sell homes?
7. How many homes have you sold in my neighborhood?
8. What was your average sales price vs. list price?
9. What is your marketing plan for my home?
10. Will you represent me exclusively?
11. What are the negatives of my home?
12. Are you a member of a real estate team? If so, who would I be working with?
13. How will you communicate with me and keep me informed?
14. What is your business philosophy?
15. Do you speak any other languages?
16. Why are you the best person to sell my house?
17. Do you have any references?
18. Why is your company the best to represent me?

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