If you’re thinking about selling your home, you’ll need a listing agent – but how do you know you’ve found a good one? This guide explains five questions you should ask to find the right listing agent for your needs.

5 Questions You Should Ask Before Hiring a Listing Agent

Check out the five questions you should ask before you hire a listing agent:

  1. How long have you been working in real estate, and what credentials do you have?
  2. How many homes did you close on last year?
  3. Do you have much experience in this neighborhood?
  4. How will you figure out the right price for my home?
  5. How do you plan to market my home?

Scroll down for a closer look at each (and the answers you’re looking for).

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Question #1 to Ask a Listing Agent: How Long Have You Been Working in Real Estate, and What Credentials Do You Have?

The first question you should ask any potential listing agent is about their experience in the industry. You want to know how long they’ve been working in real estate, and what kinds of credentials they have.

Ideally, you’re looking for an agent who has at least a few years of experience under their belt, or who works with a highly experienced team. And as far as credentials go, you’ll want to make sure they’ve completed any additional training or certification that’s relevant to your home.

Related: 7 things you should consider if you’re buying a recreational property in Midland, TX

Question #2 to Ask a Listing Agent: How Many Homes Did You Close on Last Year?

The second question is all about numbers: How many homes did the agent close on last year? This will give you a good idea of their production level, and whether they’re actively working with buyers and sellers in your area.

In the best-case scenario, you’re looking for an agent who closed on a few dozen (or more) homes last year. But even if they didn’t, it’s not necessarily a dealbreaker – as long as they’re able to demonstrate strong marketing and negotiation skills.

Question #3 to Ask a Listing Agent: Do You Have Much Experience in This Neighborhood?

The third question is about neighborhood expertise. If you’re selling a home in a particular neighborhood, you want to make sure your listing agent knows the area well. They should be familiar with the local market conditions, and they should be able to give you insights into what buyers are looking for in the area.

It may be in your best interest to find an agent who’s closed on at least a few homes in your neighborhood – but even if they don’t, they should still be able to demonstrate strong market knowledge.

Related: 5 things to know before you buy a farm in Midland, TX

Question #4 to Ask a Listing Agent: How Will You Figure Out the Right Price for My Home?

The fourth question is about pricing strategy. When you’re selling a home, you want to make sure you’re getting the best possible price – and your listing agent should have a clear plan for how they’ll help you do that.

You want an agent who will do a comparative market analysis (CMA) to find comparable homes in your area that have recently sold. They should also be able to give you an estimate of what your home is worth – based on their knowledge of the local market and their experience working with buyers and sellers.

Question #5 to Ask a Listing Agent: How Do You Plan to Market My Home?

The fifth and final question is about marketing. When you’re selling a home, you want to make sure it’s being seen by as many potential buyers as possible – and your listing agent should have a clear plan for how they’ll help you do that.

Ideally, your agent will have a comprehensive marketing plan that includes online and offline marketing tactics. They should also be able to answer any specific questions you have about how they’ll market your home – including what kind of exposure you can expect, and how they’ll track the results of their efforts.

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