Are you thinking about or in the process of selling your home and buying a new one? This is an exciting time but one that could be overwhelming too. Don’t worry. Your Port Alberni Real Estate Agent is here for you.
The Realtor acts as a guide and a lifeline through the whole buying and selling process. They will work relentlessly to help put you in the best financial position you can be in. But it all starts with that initial meeting.
Interviewing Your Real Estate Agent
When you sit down for your first consultation with a Port Alberni Realtor, the agent will want to ask you a bunch of questions to get to know you better. Not every agent is a good fit for each client. Good agents are selective about their customers. And as the customer, you get a say in choosing your realtor too. The goal is to find a mutually beneficial partnership. That’s when the best results occur.
That’s why it’s important for you to bring some questions to that initial consultation with your agent. While they will be interviewing you, you get to interview them too. Come prepared to ask some pertinent questions about the process. A little preparation will help you and your agent understand your needs and see if you’re the right fit for each other.
Here’s a list of 5 questions to ask your Port Alberni Realtor during that first meeting.
#1. How many years have you been in the business?
Maybe you’re assuming that the ideal candidate is a veteran in the real estate business; someone who has a massive number of jobs and properties on the go. On the contrary, if you happen to be a first-time home buyer and you’re looking for a lot of help, a veteran agent may be a big no-no. Busy realtors often aren’t available to answer all your questions or spend extra time showing you properties. You will end up frustrated and maybe even feeling abandoned.
In that case, sometimes someone new to the business, a freshly licensed agent, can be a valuable asset. With access to seasoned mentors, a green realtor will probably have more time to address your needs. And they often use new technologies that make the home search much easier.
Other helpful “get to know you” questions that will shed light on the agent’s approach and game plan include:
- What is your strategy for my needs?
- How will you search for my new home?
- What is the average number of homes will you likely show me before I find a property I want to buy?
- How will you help me compete against other buyers?
- How do you handle multiple offers?
A question that will really give you insight into your realtor’s approach is:
What separates you from your competition?
Someone who is confident and competent won’t show any hesitation to let you know why they are the best person for the job. Good answers to this question will depend on their personality and your own expectations, but as a general rule, you want to hear answers that include these attributes:
- Trustworthy
- Assertive
- A clear communicator
- A tactical thinker
- Friendly
- Available by phone or e-mail
Questions like the ones listed above will help you and your agent get to know one another and hopefully reveal that you will make a great house hunting team together.
#2. Can I review contracts before I am asked to sign them?
A professional realtor will ensure that you will be able to see and preview all the required forms before it is time for you to sign them. The best realtors will make sure those forms are in understandable, “plain English” translations. Specifically ask to see copies of the following forms:
- Buyer Representation Agreement
- Agreement of Purchase & Sale
- Confirmation of Cooperation & Representation
#3. Will you help me find other professionals?
Professionals involved in the home buying and selling process are not limited to real estate agents. You may also need the expertise of a home inspector, mortgage broker, or lawyer, to name a few. Ask your realtor to describe to you who they work with and why. Request a written list of professionals and inquire if there are any benefits to you for using those exact partners.
#4. Are there any guarantees?
Pose this hypothetical situation: If you sign a buying agreement and later discover that you’re unsatisfied with the contract, can the agreement be cancelled without penalty? Will the agent stand behind their service to you? Are there any risks?
#5. What happens when the real estate agent is not available?
Realtors are busy. They work long hours and try to make themselves available whenever and wherever you need them. But no matter how accommodating they try to be, sometimes it happens that realtors are just not accessible. Ask your prospective real estate agent what you can do if and when they’re indisposed. Is there anyone else you can contact? What arrangements have they made?
Conclusion
We hope these 5 questions to ask your Port Alberni Real Estate Agent have given you some helpful insights as you start the adventure of finding a new home in our beautiful West Coast. If you want some more ideas on what questions to ask your realtor, check out this comprehensive list of 24 Questions.
Browse our list of Realtors and don’t hesitate to contact one of us today. We look forward to meeting you.