5 Questions to Ask Your Real Estate Agent

June 25, 2019

Real Estate

There are more than 100 Mammoth Lakes real estate agents. If you don’t know one of us personally, how will you ever choose one?

My advice is to shop around. Many people contact the first real estate agent they come across and stick with them because it’s easy. But it’s always a good idea to interview several agents before choosing one. If you have referrals from people you trust, you might only need to interview two or three agents.

If you’re new to real estate, or new to the Mammoth Lakes housing market, what should you ask in these real estate agent interviews? If you ask these questions, you’ll be able to figure out the best agent in no time:

1. Can you send me some information about yourself?

You’ll want to look for professionalism and consistency. What are their professional accomplishments? Try to discern how they approach their work — are they a committed business person, or are they just doing this on the side? A good real estate agent will have a strategy and a solid support system. If the agent is new to real estate, ask about their team’s dynamic and accomplishments.

2. How long have you been in real estate?

Longevity is really valuable in the real estate industry, especially in Mammoth Lakes where the real estate market has some weird quirks. An agent who has lived in Mammoth Lakes for several years will also be better connected to other professionals in the area — home inspectors, lenders, the title company, etc. — so the process will move along more smoothly.

3. How will you keep me informed?

Do you want daily or weekly reports from your agent? Before you meet with agents, figure out how much communication you want, then find an agent who will give you the attention you want and deserve.

4. Can you provide me with other resources I may need?

Good real estate agents have a wealth of knowledge in their heads, but many of them also offer resources like market reports, pricing trends, rental histories, tourism statistics and more. Great Mammoth Lakes real estate agents will also have strong relationships with their extended team of professionals and can sometimes get faster service or cash in a favor for you if a need arises.

5. ***For sellers*: Can you share your plan to market my property?**

Many real estate agents will just put your home in the MLS and wait for it to sell. That’s not how I work, and I bet it’s not what you imagined when you decided to work with a real estate agent. A good agent will have a detailed plan of how to get your home the most exposure on social media and through their local networks.

BONUS: Are you a real estate agent, a realtor or a broker?

It might sound like they’re all the same, but each designation is quite different. Any licensed real estate professional is a real estate agent, but to become a realtor, you have to subscribe to the REALTOR Code of Ethics. Brokers are real estate agents who have received further education and an advanced license from the state. You can work with any real estate professional, but the additional education and code of ethics can be really useful depending on your situation.

Make sure the real estate agent you choose feels like a good fit to you. This person will guide you through the process and can either make it a joyful transition or a total headache.

Learn more in my Ultimate Home Buyer’s Guide or Ultimate Home Seller’s Guide or contact me to start your search.

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