When I'm talking with prospective clients, I often ask how they plan to choose the real estate agent to represent them. Often, they have been recommended to me directly by someone they trust and don't plan to interview other agents. However, occasionally people hear about our team by googling 'real estate experts in Boise' or other such terms and don't have a personal connection with us.
Many times folks either indicate the
y aren't sure how they'll choose their agent or that they'll choose based on how comfortable they feel with the agent or how much they like them. While I agree it's important to have good rapport and communication with your agent, it's also important to know they are competent and can help you sell your house for the most amount of money, or get you the dream house you've been looking for!
Below are some questions you can ask prospective agents to help determine their competency. (I've provided our answers to these questions, however, scroll down for a blank version you can copy and print!)
1. How long have you been in residential real estate sales? Is it your full-time job? 16 years; yes, we work full time in real estate
2. How many homes have you sold in the last 5 years? Since 2016, we have sold 272 homes
3. Are you a solo agent or do you work on a team? We have a GREAT team of specialists who are the best at what they do. This provides you with top-notch customer service!
4. How many days did it take you to sell the average home? 4 days for the last 12 months. In comparison, in Ada County, agents on average sold their listings in 15 days. We'll sell your home in less than ⅓ the time as other agents!
5. How close to the initial asking prices of the homes you sold were the final sale prices? 107% for the last 12 months. In comparison, in Ada County, agents on average sold their listings for 100.5%. This means on a $500,000 home, we would net you $32,500 more — we more than pay for our commission!
6. What types of specific marketing systems and approaches will you use to sell my home? See our ‘Guide to Selling Your Home’ for a detailed listing of our marketing program, however, we will customize it for your home.
7. Do you have a 24-hour information number where buyers can get voice-recorded or text information anytime of the day or night? Yes!
8. Will you hire a professional photographer to shoot my home? Yes!
9. Do you provide a free consultation with a professional designer to help stage my home? Yes!
10. Can you recommend service providers who can help me obtain a mortgage, make home repairs, and help with other things I need done? Absolutely! Anything you need. In 2019, we started a home transformation company that helps sellers get their homes ready to sell. Whether your home needs small touch ups or major renovations, we have the contacts and experience necessary to help you net the absolute most for your home with the minimum amount of stress and/or work by you.
11. How long have you lived in the area? Can you provide detailed information to buyers about the community, schools, neighborhoods, parks, etc.? I am a native Idahoan and have lived and worked in the North End of Boise for over 30 years. Our team and I know the area quite well!
12. What’s your business philosophy? Our mission is to create and cultivate community by positively impacting the lives of our clients and unlocking opportunity for each person we meet. We are passionate about inspiring confidence, connection, and contribution. Our vision is to be the real estate company of choice for buyers, sellers, and team members who value knowledge, excellence, communication, customer service, and giving back.
13. What type of support and supervision does your brokerage office provide to you? We have considerable broker support as well as support from other top agents in KW Boise and around the world.
14. How will you keep me informed about the process of my transaction? How frequently? 2-3 times weekly at a minimum, depending on where we are in the process.
15. Could you please give me the names and the phone numbers of your three most recent clients? Yes, absolutely, let us know whether you’d like to talk to buyers or sellers.
16. Could you please send me a link to the MLS listings for the three properties you sold most recently in our area? Yes, of course!
17. What are the top three things that separate you from your competition? 1) Our connection to top vendors to help provide advice and do anything necessary to help you get your home ready to sell. 2) Our record of success — see statistics above! 3) We are a fun, productive team who give a lot to our clients and to our community.
18. What kind of guarantee do you offer? We have a 100% satisfaction-guarantee policy. If you are not satisfied with our service, you may cancel your agreement with us with 48-hours written notice.
19. What haven’t I asked that I need to know?
BLANK FORM TO USE
Many times folks either indicate the
y aren't sure how they'll choose their agent or that they'll choose based on how comfortable they feel with the agent or how much they like them. While I agree it's important to have good rapport and communication with your agent, it's also important to know they are competent and can help you sell your house for the most amount of money, or get you the dream house you've been looking for!Below are some questions you can ask prospective agents to help determine their competency. (I've provided our answers to these questions, however, scroll down for a blank version you can copy and print!)
1. How long have you been in residential real estate sales? Is it your full-time job? 16 years; yes, we work full time in real estate
2. How many homes have you sold in the last 5 years? Since 2016, we have sold 272 homes
3. Are you a solo agent or do you work on a team? We have a GREAT team of specialists who are the best at what they do. This provides you with top-notch customer service!
4. How many days did it take you to sell the average home? 4 days for the last 12 months. In comparison, in Ada County, agents on average sold their listings in 15 days. We'll sell your home in less than ⅓ the time as other agents!
5. How close to the initial asking prices of the homes you sold were the final sale prices? 107% for the last 12 months. In comparison, in Ada County, agents on average sold their listings for 100.5%. This means on a $500,000 home, we would net you $32,500 more — we more than pay for our commission!
6. What types of specific marketing systems and approaches will you use to sell my home? See our ‘Guide to Selling Your Home’ for a detailed listing of our marketing program, however, we will customize it for your home.
7. Do you have a 24-hour information number where buyers can get voice-recorded or text information anytime of the day or night? Yes!
8. Will you hire a professional photographer to shoot my home? Yes!
9. Do you provide a free consultation with a professional designer to help stage my home? Yes!
10. Can you recommend service providers who can help me obtain a mortgage, make home repairs, and help with other things I need done? Absolutely! Anything you need. In 2019, we started a home transformation company that helps sellers get their homes ready to sell. Whether your home needs small touch ups or major renovations, we have the contacts and experience necessary to help you net the absolute most for your home with the minimum amount of stress and/or work by you.
11. How long have you lived in the area? Can you provide detailed information to buyers about the community, schools, neighborhoods, parks, etc.? I am a native Idahoan and have lived and worked in the North End of Boise for over 30 years. Our team and I know the area quite well!
12. What’s your business philosophy? Our mission is to create and cultivate community by positively impacting the lives of our clients and unlocking opportunity for each person we meet. We are passionate about inspiring confidence, connection, and contribution. Our vision is to be the real estate company of choice for buyers, sellers, and team members who value knowledge, excellence, communication, customer service, and giving back.
13. What type of support and supervision does your brokerage office provide to you? We have considerable broker support as well as support from other top agents in KW Boise and around the world.
14. How will you keep me informed about the process of my transaction? How frequently? 2-3 times weekly at a minimum, depending on where we are in the process.
15. Could you please give me the names and the phone numbers of your three most recent clients? Yes, absolutely, let us know whether you’d like to talk to buyers or sellers.
16. Could you please send me a link to the MLS listings for the three properties you sold most recently in our area? Yes, of course!
17. What are the top three things that separate you from your competition? 1) Our connection to top vendors to help provide advice and do anything necessary to help you get your home ready to sell. 2) Our record of success — see statistics above! 3) We are a fun, productive team who give a lot to our clients and to our community.
18. What kind of guarantee do you offer? We have a 100% satisfaction-guarantee policy. If you are not satisfied with our service, you may cancel your agreement with us with 48-hours written notice.
19. What haven’t I asked that I need to know?
BLANK FORM TO USE
- How long have you been in residential real estate sales?
- Is it your full-time job?
- How many homes did you sell last year?
- Are you a solo agent or do you work on a team?
- How many days did it take you to sell the average home?
- How close to the initial asking prices of the homes you sold were the final sale prices?
- What types of specific marketing systems and approaches will you use to sell my home?
- Do you have a 24-hour information number where buyers can get voice-recorded or text information anytime of the day or night?
- Will you hire a professional photographer to shoot my home?
- Do you provide a free consultation with a professional designer to help stage my home?
- Can you recommend service providers who can help me obtain a mortgage, make home repairs, and help with other things I need done?
- How long have you lived in the area?
- Can you provide detailed information to buyers about the community, schools, neighborhoods, parks, etc.?
- What’s your business philosophy?
- What type of support and supervision does your brokerage office provide to you?
- How will you keep me informed about the process of my transaction? How frequently?
- Could you please give me the names and the phone numbers of your three most recent clients?
- Could you please send me a link to the MLS listings for the three properties you sold most recently in our area?
- What are the top three things that separate you from your competition? What kind of guarantee do you offer?
- What haven’t I asked that I need to know?
An Open Letter to Buyers About Buyer Representation
