Questions You Should Ask a Chatham-Kent Ontario Realtor

When selecting a Chatham-Kent real estate agent, there are a number of questions you should ask. Buying or selling a home is a huge undertaking; one that you shouldn't trust to just anyone. Treat the selection of a Chatham-Kent Ontario real estate agent like the hiring of a new employee, including the job interview process.

As you start searching the internet or the phone book, be prepared to ask questions, dig a little deeper, and find the Chatham-Kent realtor that will meet your unique needs. Here are a few things you need to ask before hiring on a real estate agent:

Get the realtors background information

At the start of any hunt for a Chatham-Kent realtor, ask about their accreditation and experience. Make sure you hire someone who works full-time as a Chatham-Kent realtor, not someone who does it as a hobby. Find out how long they've been accredited and working as a realtor. More specifically, be sure to ask what experience the realtor has in the town you're interested in living in, and the specific neighbourhoods you're targeting. Don't hire a realtor from Toronto to sell your house on Queen Street in Chatham, they won't know the area, and they won't have any experience working with other Chatham-Kent realtors and buyers. Your Chatham-Kent Ontario Realtor should have the experience, knowledge, respect, and information necessary to sell your home, where you live, not in a neighbouring community.

Ask each realtor the 'tough' questions

Basic information is fine, but getting down to the nitty gritty, is the only way to separate good realtors from people that think of you and your home's as money making pawns. It's time to ask your Chatham-Kent Ontario Realtor the hard questions. Find out their commission fee, how long you must be committed to working with them, and how you become committed. Usually this occurs when you sign a 30, 60, or 90 day contract. After getting these often uncomfortable questions out of the way, it's time to go even further. Ask what happens if you're unhappy with the service. From time to time, this happens, even with the best Chatham-Kent Ontario Realtors, and you need to know the process. Plus, it's always nice to discover how your potential realtor reacts to these difficult questions. Along with these difficult questions, you should also inquire to who you'll be dealing with. In larger Chatham-Kent real estate firms, you'll often be pushed aside to an assistant. Direct contact with your realtor is important.

What else should I ask?

If you take the time to wisely select a Chatham-Kent realtor, you're likely to be more satisfied with the service you receive. They are your lifeline to a fast and effective sale. Ask what their marketing strategy for your home is, as well as how many other buyers/sellers they represent. If you're number 100, either they're not moving properties or you're not going to receive the attention you need. It's also important to know how closely the realtors properties sell to the asking price. Do they average well below asking price, or close to it? This is important if you want to receive the value your property deserves.

Act like you're at a job interview

Hiring a Chatham-Kent realtor is much like hiring a new employee. Treat your initial interview with a potential Chatham-Kent real estate agent as if it were a job interview. Ask for references, have them describe what sets them apart from other Chatham-Kent realtors, and close with them telling you anything about themselves they feel you should know. Don't put your house and financial well-being in the hands of someone you don't trust; be thorough and well prepared.

If you need help selling your Chatham-Kent home, or you'd like to ask me these difficult questions, feel free to call me at 519-360-0141 or contact me via my website. If you'd like to read more home buying and selling tips, check out my Chatham-Kent Real Estate Resources.