100 Questions to Ask a Realtor When Selling

Putting your home on the market is an exciting yet challenging time. You probably want to make sure you get the best deal without too much hassle. Knowing what to ask your realtor can really help streamline the whole process.

Here, I’ve compiled a list of must-ask questions to guide you through choosing and working with a realtor. These questions will equip you with the knowledge you need to feel confident and ready.

Preparation and Readiness

1. How should I prepare my home for sale?
2. What repairs should I complete before listing my home?
3. Should I stage my home, and if so, how?
4. How important is curb appeal when selling my home?
5. What paperwork do I need to gather before selling?
6. Will you help me identify necessary repairs and upgrades?
7. How clean should my home be for showings?
8. Can you recommend professionals for home improvements?
9. Should I stay at home while it’s on the market?
10. How do you handle showings and open houses?
11. Do I need to remove personal items and declutter?
12. Will you provide a checklist to prepare my home for sale?
13. How do you recommend handling pets during showings?
14. How should I prepare my yard and garden for sale?
15. Is it worth investing in professional photography?
16. What is your advice on managing security during showings?
17. Can you help me identify my home’s unique selling points?
18. What’s your advice on setting the right first impression?
19. Do you recommend any pre-sale inspections?
20. How can I make my home more appealing to buyers?

Financial Insight and Maximizing Profit

1. How should we price my home?
2. What factors influence the selling price of my home?
3. How do you perform a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)?
4. Should I consider a pre-listing appraisal?
5. What are the costs involved in selling my home?
6. Can you explain your commission fee structure?
7. How can I increase the value of my home before selling?
8. What is your strategy for setting a competitive price?
9. How do we handle offers below asking price?
10. Can you provide an estimate of my net proceeds from the sale?
11. What marketing strategies will you use to sell my home?
12. How will you ensure my home gets maximum exposure?
13. How important is timing in the selling process?
14. Do you recommend offering incentives to buyers?
15. How do you stay updated on current market trends?
16. What negotiation strategies do you use?
17. Should I be flexible with the asking price?
18. How do you determine if a buyer is serious?
19. Will you help me understand the tax implications of the sale?
20. How do you handle multiple offers?

Realtor Vetting and Selection

1. How long have you been a realtor in this area?
2. Can you provide references from past clients?
3. How many homes have you sold in the last year?
4. What is your average sale-to-list price ratio?
5. How familiar are you with the local market trends?
6. Do you have experience selling homes like mine?
7. Can you provide a marketing plan for my home?
8. How do you plan to communicate with me during the process?
9. What sets you apart from other realtors?
10. How do you stay updated on real estate regulations?
11. What professional organizations do you belong to?
12. Can you explain your approach to pricing homes?
13. How do you handle conflicted interests if they arise?
14. What is your strategy for dealing with difficult negotiations?
15. How do you handle buyer’s agents?
16. Can you explain the current state of the housing market?
17. What is your plan if my home doesn’t sell quickly?
18. Do you work with a team or individually?
19. What is your availability for showings and meetings?
20. How do you manage homes with special selling points or challenges?

Understanding the Selling Process

1. What are the steps involved in selling my home?
2. How long does the entire selling process typically take?
3. What documents do I need to provide and sign?
4. What should I expect during the home inspection?
5. How do you handle negotiations with potential buyers?
6. What disclosures am I required to make?
7. What should I expect at closing?
8. How do you handle potential buyer financing issues?
9. What’s involved in the marketing of my home?
10. How often will you update me on the selling process?
11. What happens after we accept an offer?
12. How do you manage the legal aspects of selling?
13. What typical challenges might we face during the sale?
14. How will you assist me in preparing for the appraisal?
15. What should I do if the appraisal comes in low?
16. Can you explain the escrow process?
17. How will you handle the final walk-through?
18. What are common problems that could delay closing?
19. What tasks am I responsible for before closing?
20. How do you handle issues that arise during closing?

Avoiding Pitfalls and Common Mistakes

1. What are the most common mistakes sellers make?
2. How can I avoid overpricing my home?
3. Should I disclose everything about my home’s condition?
4. What should I avoid doing during showings?
5. How do you handle low-ball offers?
6. What are the risks of not properly staging my home?
7. How can I avoid legal issues during the sale?
8. What should I avoid spending money on before selling?
9. How do we handle buyer contingencies?
10. What are the risks of not being flexible with showings?
11. How can I avoid delays in the selling process?
12. What should I know about buyers asking for repairs?
13. How do you handle buyers who want to negotiate everything?
14. How can I avoid emotional decisions during the sale?
15. What are the risks of selling too quickly?
16. How do you handle unqualified buyers?
17. How can I avoid missing important legal steps?
18. What should I do if I receive multiple offers?
19. How do you manage buyer’s remorse?
20. What’s your advice on avoiding scams or fraud?