Hiring An Agent
Choosing the right Realtor can be a grueling task, especially in today's competitive market. There are so many to choose from, how do you know that you've chosen the right one for you?
Choosing the right Real Estate Specialist is a decision that can cost you or save you thousands of dollars in your next Real Estate transaction. There are certain questions that you should definitely ask when interviewing a Real Estate Agent. Many Agents do not want you to ask these questions, because these questions will give you a very good idea of the amount and quality of services the Agent will provide.
You are hiring someone to handle your largest single investment - you need to demand the best service to handle your transaction. It is well worth the time to do your homework.
Having been a professional in Real Estate for over 15 years Pam is well aware of the decisions you are faced with. It is because of this that she aims to make them as painless as possible for you. To start with, she will provide you with the answers you must know to the questions most agents don't like to answer, before you even have to ask them.
Plus she will walk you through all the steps necessary to take you through the process of either buying or selling Real Estate at a pace that suits you. Whether you're a first-timer or seasoned veteran, you won't feel left behind or bored with details you already understand.
Pam has been a Realtor since 1986 and she was also trained as an appraiser through the Appraisal Institute of Canada. She is also recognized as an expert witness for the Court of Queens Bench. You will always find her pleasant and professional to deal with.
8 Questions You Must Ask When Interviewing an Agent
Hiring a Realtor is really no different than hiring an employee for any business. A Realtor is going to work for you to get the job done that you want done - the sale of your home.
Would you consider hiring an employee without interviewing them?
Below is a list of questions that you should consider asking any Real Estate agent before you hire them. I have also included my answers to those questions for you.
1. If I'm listing my home with you, do you offer a guarantee that will allow me to cancel my listing at any time, no questions asked, no strings attached and no advance notice?
Absolutely! I don't want the listing on your home simply for the sake of having a listing. I want your listing because I want to work together with you as a team to sell your home. If at any time you decide you no longer wish to have your home listed with me, there would be no hassles!
2. What is the difference between aggressive marketing and passive selling?
Aggressive marketing is a very forward and unrefined approach to getting other people, Realtors and buyers, interested in your home. It is rarely professional and it often puts people on their guard. Passive selling is typically when Realtors sit back and wait for the buyers to come to them without giving them reasons why they should.
3. Do you have a personally designed, written and invested, aggressive marketing plan for houses that you list?
No. I have a marketing plan that I have adopted from an extremely successful legend in Real Estate and modified to fit my style. It's assertive, not aggressive, and it is extremely effective. When I list your home, we will discuss my marketing plan.
4. How are sellers directly benefited by your marketing techniques?
The benefits of my marketing techniques may vary slightly depending on the needs of each individual seller. However, below is an outline of some of the benefits:
I'll merchandise your home to make it easy to buy;
I'll carefully interview my clients to ensure that I won't waste your time by bringing unqualified people to inspect your home;
If buyers show any interest while I'm showing it, you can count on me to have them sign an offer to purchase;
I'll get a substantial deposit;
I know the top sales producers on my Real Estate Board. When you let me go to work for you I'll personally make sure they receive the information on your home - you'll have the cream of the crop working for you;
I'll submit continuous notices to the Real Estate Board MLS so your home will stay in the limelight - I won't let them forget;
I'll hold open house tours - for both other Realtors and the public;
I'll take colored photos, both inside and out, of your home and display them in our office's "Best Buys" area.
I will conscientiously follow up on all prospects to whom I show your home.
I'll submit all contracts to you in writing in your own home, for your comfort and convenience;
I'll be working for you without pay until I bring you a contract at a price and at terms acceptable to you. You remain in control. It's you I have to please in order to be paid;
If you wish, I'll prepare a list for you showing the sales prices of comparable homes which have sold in this area;
I give you my word I'll never pressure you in any way to accept any contract submitted for your approval. I'll interpret all contracts for you. I'll answer any questions you might have about the contracts. But the decision to accept or decline shall be yours alone, and I'll not permit any salesman to try to influence you in any way. When you let me represent you I buffer you from the problems of selling a home.
5. What are the statistics of your listings?
As I have only recently become active again, I don't currently have statistics available. However, they will be posted as soon as they are available. I do have statistics available from my previous years of Real Estate and you are more than welcome to view, although they may not have a whole lot of relevance in the current market. Being that I do not have a large inventory of listings currently, you can be sure that your listing will receive my undivided attention.
6. If I list my home with you how will I know what marketing is being done?
As mentioned before, you will be shown my marketing plan and techniques before I even list your home. Once it is listed we will be in regular contact with each other every step of the way. You are also welcome to contact my assistant or myself at any time.
7. If you're assisting me in buying a home how will I know what is available on the market to choose from?
The first time we meet I will be collecting a variety of information from you that will aid in your house shopping. Based on this information I will provide you with lists and detailed information on a variety of homes that are available that fit your criteria.
8. Whether I hire you to assist in selling or buying a home, or both, how often will you be in contact with me?
We will be in contact with each other at minimum on a weekly basis. As mentioned earlier, I want to work with you, together as a team. This means participation from both of us. How this program works will be explained at our first meeting.
If at any time you have a question, or if you have questions that have not been covered above, please feel free to contact me. There is never any obligation during the interviewing process.
