How to Interview a Realtor® in a Brief 15 Minute Phone Call
Batterman stresses the importance of local expertise in real estate, noting, “It’s about being able to identify what are all the great things about this environment and what to expect in the future for this neighborhood.”
What sets you apart from other agents here?
By posing this question, you’re not just giving the agent an opportunity to highlight their strengths, but you’re also actively engaging in the process of comparing different agents. The agent is aware that you’re looking for the best fit, so they should showcase what makes their approach, experience, or network unique. Their answers will give you a clearer perspective, allowing you to weigh their skills and qualities against those of other agents you’re considering.
How many clients do you represent at a time?
This might seem like a straightforward question, but what you’re really asking is, “Will you be able to make time for me and my needs?” Ideally, the agent should explain how they handle their workload and their team’s capacity to meet your needs.
When an agent works too many deals simultaneously, you’re more likely to be handed off to assistants or other members of their team. However, you don’t want to be a real estate agent’s only client – that signals a dying business.
A related follow-up question is: How many current deals are you working on? Asking this question clues you into how active and up-to-date they keep themselves with market trends.
Batterman recalls a competitor who advertised “hundreds of transactions … but they haven’t sold a house in five years.” The entire market shifts within a year, so her competitor was way behind the times.
Understanding an agent’s work style
The middle of your phone interview should focus on the task at hand. You might be buying or selling a home, but all that matters are results.
After your phone call, you need:
To gather this information, you’ll want to ask the following questions:
Who would I be working with?
It’s a simple question, but one that’s important to ask. The real estate agent you initially chat with might not be your day-to-day contact. To make sure you’re on the same page, find out who your primary point of contact would be, how you can reach them, and their specific role on the team. It’s also a good idea to ask about the entire team who will be involved in your transaction and the best times to contact them. This way, you’re not left guessing who to call or email when you have questions or need updates.
What’s your marketing plan, especially online?
Each agent markets a property differently. All competent agents will use the internet to market their listings. In the era of online home search, if people can’t find your property online, they won’t buy it.
A top real estate agent will have a clear, concise, and proven strategy far beyond placing your home on the multiple listing service (MLS) and putting a sign in your yard. You should hear words like Google, Facebook, and other major websites and social media platforms. Blog posts don’t cut it anymore.
Batterman says your agent’s marketing plan should include:
