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Interviewing Agents in Puyallup?  Make sure you ask these questions before you list your home. 

 First off, be prepared to answer some questions as well.  Just as you should be selective on who you work with, a great agent makes certain that the fit is a good one, too.

To find a good agent, make sure you ask:

How many years have you been in Real Estate?  Either pick someone who has cut their teeth on this real estate downturn and is still thriving, or someone who has been through a market like this at least once before.   Years won’t matter as much as attitude and business sense.  Listen carefully for a negative attitude – this is going to be one of the most important indicators of the person’s ability to sell and market your home effectively. 

 What specific Marketing Plan do you have for my house?  The most common complaint from anyone selling their home is “My agent just put a sign in my yard, and then I never heard from them again.”  Make sure that your agent addresses this issue.  Other questions to ask may include…How will you sell my home?  Do you market online?  Where?  Do you have a mailing database?  What does your flyer look like?  What is your follow up plan?  What if my house isn’t selling?

Do you have any Reference Letters? A great agent will not only have client letters on hand, but will be willing to provide phone numbers if requested. 

What makes your Agent different from the competition?  Really listen to their answers here.  You will probably want someone who is honest, trustworthy, assertive, with good communication skills.  Look for an ‘outside-the-box’ thinker in terms of marketing.  Again, anyone can put a sign in your yard.  Selling your home can be stressful, so look for a great sense of humor under stress.  You’ll also want someone friendly on your  side during the negotiation process, as you can get a lot more flies with honey than vinegar!  

Can you explain the Paperwork that I will be signing?  A great agent will sit down with you and go over every single document BEFORE you are asked to put pen to paper.  Never, never, never, sign something without knowing what it is. 

Are you a REALTOR®?  There is a difference between a REALTOR® and a real estate agent or salesperson.  A REALTOR® has a strict code of ethics that they must abide by.  REALTORS® also care deeply about their communities and the laws that govern them, and put time, money, and effort into protecting home ownership. 

Can you Recommend other Professionals?  What you are looking for here is a vendor database of people and companies that your agent has worked with in the past that they know are competent and capable.  A hundred different items can pop up during one real estate transaction.  Anything can derail the sale of your house.  A great agent knows who will take care of any work orders to ensure that doesn’t happen.

How much do you charge?  Everything is negotiable.  Ask up front what they charge, and then ask them to quantify their fees with the level of service they provide.

What Kind of Guarantee Do You Offer?  What if you aren’t happy with your agent’s services?  Can the agreement be cancelled?  What is the company policy for cancelling an agreement?  Has anyone ever cancelled with them before?  What happened and Why?

 The smartest thing that you can do is to align yourself with a knowledgeable, dedicated professional who can guide you through the maze of paperwork.  One who will explain the process to you, answer your questions, and return your phone calls or emails promptly to get you the information you need now. You need an expert negotiator on your side, protecting your financial interests. You also need someone who will research out a neighborhood, home, or property type so you have ’the inside story’.  You need someone who knows what selling real estate is all about.   Look for a personable, knowledgeable person who is analytical as well.  You need a powerhouse on your side who will listen, really listen to your needs and wants and who will protect your back and fight for your best interests.