23 POWERFUL QUESTIONS TO ASK A REALTOR® BEFORE YOU SIGN A LISTING CONTRACT TO SELL YOUR HOME

1. How long have you been in the Real Estate Business? - (Some newbies may not have carried a license for very long, but some come out of the lending or affiliate industry. These are some of the best agents with experience in multiple fields like banking, title, escrow, lending & such.) 2. What is the percent of Sellers compared to Buyers that you serve? - (This will tell you how available an agent is to answer your questions. Sometimes going with an agent with a few transactions is better than a "popular" agent who doesn't have time for you.) 3. Can we cancel the listing if we're not happy? 4. Do you have a team strategy? - Some agents have licensed assistants. Others have teams, or team strategies. At Nextage, every agent has a team! 5. Do you recommend that I hire an attorney? 6. May I see your resume or personal brochure? - Personal brochures are never in abundance among most agents. This is because websites have taken the place of the printed material. A cutting-edge agent will have both. 7. What systems do you have in place that will keep you in constant contact with me during the listing and the transaction? - At Nextage Realty Professionals, our agents have multiple systems to ensure you stay informed. 8. Are you fully automated with your own personal computer, fax machine, copier, mobile phone, etc.? 9. May I see all the paperwork that you are going to ask me to sign? 10. What professional designations do you have? - Some designations may be important to you, others may not. 11. I want to give my home the advantage of the latest marketing strategies. How much time & money do you invest each month in professional training? - At Nextage RP, our agents have access to so much training, they have to find time to fit it in! " 12. Why are you personally motivated to sell my house? 13. Why should I list with you rather than any other REALTOR® who is calling on me? 14. What kind of experience and training do you have in negotiations? 15. How many homes do you sell in a year? 16. Will you personally be there when contracts are presented and handle all the negotiations? 17. Do you have a web site? 18. Will you directly market the property on the Internet? 19. Do you follow-up on all showings on the house and report the comments back to me? 20. Do you have an assistant or team to make sure no details are overlooked? 21. What part of your business is from referrals/past clients? 22. Do you market with direct mailings on my property? 23. Are you a NEXTAGE REALTY PROFESSIONALS agent?

It's likely that you don't interview people very often. And yet, in order to find the REALTOR® who is right for you, you may interview several. The quality of your home selling experience is dependent upon your skill at selecting the person best qualified. At Nextage Realty Professionals our philosophy is slightly different than most companies. We believe in the "TEAM" concept. "Together, each accomplishes more!" Because Nextage agents are part of a growing team of people, this means better service for clients. Unlike traditional real estate companies that allow unhealthy competition in the office environment, Nextage agents enjoy the ability to share information, marketing strategies and tactics for selling homes with each other. Because when one succeeds, everyone succeeds! Nextage agents are famous for jumping in to help other agents close transactions when and if the need arises. You won't find this at another brokerage!

It's interesting that in the real estate business, someone with many successfully closed transactions usually COSTS THE SAME as someone who is inexperienced. Bringing that experience to bear on your transaction could mean a higher price at the negotiating table, selling in less time, and with the minimum amount of hassles. At Nextage Realty Professionals, we pride ourselves in training our agents to be successful. Our agents are not only experts in bringing buyers to your home, they are also experts in listing strategies, online web presence, and bank negotiations.

The world is populated with REALTORS® who are wrong for you. For example, the housewife who sells an occasional house because she needs a little pocket change, or the insurance salesman who believes he can handle two careers, or perhaps your cousin, who really needs your business. Not to say that these are not great people, but they may not be great REALTORS®. Be sure to call Nextage Realty Professionals before making a bad decision that may wind up costing you a lot of money. And although experience is important in the sale of your home, don't trade enthusiasm for it. A well-trained new agent may be what you're looking for if you need an aggressive person who is hungry for business. There are many seasoned agents out there with tons of experience, but zero personality or their desire to work with buyers is simply gone. Be realistic! Not all agents offer the same services, and some agents don't even understand what they're talking about when they do offer their service.

The sale of your home could well be the most important financial transaction you have ever been involved with. The person you select can make it a satisfying and profitable activity, or a terrible experience. It's your home, and your money. The choice of your REALTOR® is up to you. Make the selection carefully.