Realtors Pamela and Dave Jones Discuss Choosing the Right Agent to List One’s Home

It is the fall or winter season and you are ready to sell your home. The most important question is “Who do you choose as the listing agent to sell your home?’’

“One of the largest assets you may have is your home, so having an experienced agent to protect your equity is a must,” said Pamela, associate broker at Long & Foster Realtors. “You wouldn’t choose a newly licensed surgeon to replace your knee, so why would you list your home with your friend or spouse of a co-worker who sells houses part-time to supplement their income?”

“Plus, if your home didn’t sell and you had to fire your friend, how would that affect your friendship?” added Dave. “Selling your home is a business transaction, and you want an experienced professional with a track record of actually selling homes on a full-time basis.”

Pamela and Dave, who together have sold almost 1,000 homes for their happy clients, list 10 questions you must ask your Realtor in today’s market:

No. 1: What is your personal selling price to listing price ratio?

No. 2: What is the average days on the market for your listings?

No. 3: Of the homes that you listed in the last 12 months that did not sell, why did they not sell?

No. 4: What percentage of your sales last year were listings sold vs. buyer sales? “Many agents concentrate on buyers and have very little experience marketing and selling a home,” stated Pamela. 

No. 5: How many homes did you sell last year? “Experience and a successful track record really do matter,” stressed Dave. 

No. 6: Can you share with me the names and phone numbers of your last 10 clients?

No. 7: Are you an active agent or a passive agent? Do you actively market the property and look for buyers or do you put it in the Multiple Listing Service, put up a sign and pray that it sells?

No. 8: Where do you think the buyer for my home will come from and how will you reach that market?

No. 9: According to the National Association of Realtors, 92% of buyers start their search online. On which websites will you post my home?

No. 10: What other things do you do besides real estate? Many agents are part-time, which makes them very difficult to communicate with during the week. You want a full-time agent.

“The answers to these questions should help you choose the right agent -- an active agent who schedules time daily to contact buyers and referrals for your home,” noted Pamela. 

“While they may do some passive marketing, don’t expect anything other than active marketing to get your home sold,” concluded Dave. 

About Pamela and Dave Jones, Extraordinary Transitions, Long & Foster Realtors

Pamela is a career REALTOR® who has been working with buyers and sellers since 1983. She is a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist. Dave has thrived in real estate sales, sales management and mortgage financing since 1984. He is a Senior Real Estate Specialist. For more information, please call Pamela at 703-726-3409, Dave at 703-726-3407, or visit http://pamsellsfinehomes.com/. 

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