If you missed yesterday’s post, be sure to check back to catch the first half of the list. We’ll wrap this two-parter up today.
6. What specific advertising will you be doing to get your home sold?
If they expect to get your home sold by using only a big company ad, open houses, or a mediocre website then you are in big trouble. Make them be specific and put what advertising they promise in writing. Test their search engine strategy by going to www.google.com and searching for Long Beach real estate.
7. On average, when your listings sell, how close is the selling price to the asking price?
Their performance on this measurement will help you predict how high of a price you will get for the sale of your home. For instance, the average list to sale ratio for the Long Beach Board of REALTORS® is 97.1%. Here at Sanford Systems, we are at 98.7%. That means we get 1.6% more for homes than the average real estate agent in the MLS.
8. How many buyers are you currently working with? Do you have a list? How do you track your buyers?
Obviously, the more buyers your agent is working with, the better your chances are of selling your home quickly. It will also impact price because an agent with many buyers can set up an auction-like atmosphere where many buyers bid on your home at the same time. Ask them to see the list and describe the system they use for working with these buyers. They should have the list of buyer with them at ALL times. If they have a lot of buyers, they will certainly need a computerized system to keep track of them. If they cannot or will not show you a list of their buyers, hire another agent.
Note: There is a big difference between a list of actual buyers and a printout of a database. An actual buyer list should contain the buyer’s financial qualifications as well as what type of property they are interested in. Anything other than this type of list just does not cut the mustard! Here at Sanford Systems our list includes name, contact information, pre-approved status, and exactly what they are looking for.
9. What makes you different? Why should I list my home with you?
It is a much different real estate market than it was even one year ago. What unique plans and programs does this agent have in place to make certain that your home stands out favorably among other competing homes? What things does this agent offer you that others do not to help sell your home with the least amount of hassle and for the most amount of money? What type of technology do you use to help sell my home? Can you give me a demonstration of that technology?
Note: Some of the most effective tools in real estate today are the twenty-four hour hotlines, extensive search engine strategies, interactive websites, talking house radio transmitters, and fax on demands. Have them demonstrate while they are at your home.
10. Can I cancel my listing at any time?
Do not ever sign anything unless this agent can guarantee, in writing, that they will cancel your listing at any time if you decide not to sell your home. If you are not satisfied with the service being provided or if the problem cannot be solved, we only charge a small fee to cover overhead.
Bonus Question:
Specifically ask them about Sanford Systems or Walter Sanford.
If they say anything negative about another company and try to make another company look bad, hire another agent. Get the facts for yourself. Also, if they brag about how many homes they sell, how good they are, or that they are number one – run the other way! It seems that every real estate company is claiming to be number one. At Sanford Systems, we encourage you to compare any other company’s services to ours based on FACTS.
Lead generation is what builds your business and keeps your pipeline full, no matter what the market says! Grow Your Leads: Just Add Wa(l)ter is a hefty book full of detailed and complete prospecting systems, and it includes the data CD (digital copy). This is also a great manual for an assistant.
Call 800.792.5837 and ask for the $50 blog special on Grow Your Leads: Just Add Wa(l)ter. Check out the content details here: http://www.waltersanford.com/shop/grow-your-leads-just-ask-walter/.
