Have you tried selling your house lately? If you have, you know that
we’re dealing with the worst market in most of our lifetimes. It seems
that every time you read the news, home prices are down another 5% from
last year. In markets like these, you need every possible advantage you
can get, and a top real estate agent is absolutely essential.

When searching for one of the top real estate agents in the area,
there are several questions you will need to ask. A top real estate
broker is one that will be able to answer your questions and put you at
ease about his/her services and that he is acting in your best
interests. So with that in mind, here are 3 questions you need to ask
any potential realtor you want to work with, to make sure you are
dealing with someone that can get you the results you’re looking for:

Are you full time or part time?

When seeking out a top real estate agent in the area, the most basic
question that needs to be asked is whether or not this is the agent’s
primary job, or just a part-time weekend gig to earn extra cash. There
are lots of part-timers out there-especially in this economy. Though
they may be hard workers, the challenge is that if they are only selling
real estate as a sideline, they are not likely to have the time and
level of commitment you’re looking for. While it’s possible that there
are decent realtors that only work part-time, it’s best to work with a
full time and full service real estate agent, just to be on the safe
side.

How well do you know my community?

Some people overlook this, but it’s really an important factor. When
you are searching for a real estate broker, don’t choose one who is
based on the other side of town. They are far less likely to know the
“ins and outs” of your neighborhood, and consequently may not have a
good feel for how the market is in that area and what an appropriate
price is for your home.

What marketing methods do your use?

Marketing is absolutely critical in the current real estate climate. A
top real estate agent understands this. And we’re not just talking
about the standard get your home on the MLS and have an open house once
or twice a month. You need a real estate broker that uses multiple
marketing methods-online and offline to gain a steady flow of potential
buyers coming through your house. Getting your house exposure in front
of the most prospective buyers is the surest way to get it sold in a bad
economy.