Questions to ask a Realtor

“REAL ESTATE BUYER” QUESTIONS

AND HOW TO READ “BETWEEN THE LINES” BY THE PARIS911 TEAM…

How long have you been a Realtor?Make sure you ask the question in this exact wayAsking “how long have you been in real estate”, can get you a “non-exact” answerSome agents may give you their answer, if formatted incorrectly, from when they bought their first homeBeing a Realtor is being a part of a professional and policed organization with rules and laws in place…

Do you have a Team?Not meaning if they have Escrow people they work with or title officers they use…Team: On their direct staff – Agents working for them.Example, some agents employ Buyers Agents that can focus 100% on the needs of the Real Estate Team’s BuyersAdvantageous because the “Full Time Buyers Agent”, is only tasked with finding the buyer what they want 100% of the timeThey are not tasked with other parts of the business

How many buyers are you working with?This could give you an indication if the agent, (without a team), is too busy to help you in conjunction with the other buyersThis could also be an indicator of how your internal competition is going to be – “ the agent’s other buyers having the same requirements” competing for the same homes as you

If you have another buyer for the same listing – how do you handle that?

This question will have the agent you ask, doing some dancing.A Buyers Agent, working with multiple buyers, have more than one buyer that likes a specific home, and all want to write offers, what is the best way?Fair and Equitable. Highest and BEST offering without the revealing of either buyers hold card to the other buyer!

What methods do you have, besides the MLS, to find me what I want?MLS = Multiple Listing Service. It’s the database where the actual and real listings are housed by the local Boards of RealtorsHow dug in is the agent or team?How far are they willing to go for a real estate buyer, in finding that buyer real estate listings that are not on the market?Are they members of local Networking Groups where they can get access to “pocket listings”?Would they consider “door knocking” of pre foreclosures and those properties with Notice of Defaults filed on them?

What would be your advice if I wanted to offer $50,000 less than the asking price?Good question for a real estate agent and one not asked very often.You will see their ability to explain their methods of operation when it comes to their buyers writing offersIt maybe that they are not a good fit for you by the answer they giveIf they are stringent and say, “I would never do that!!!” – find out their reasoningHowever, most Truly Seasoned Real estate professionals know the adage all too well of , “Never say Never…”

Which buyer had the lowest rating of you or your team and why?All Real Estate agents have had a buyer did not think it went in their best interestsSome buyers were actually screwed by the realtorSome just thought they wereRemember, there are always three versions of the truth – what I say, what they say and what God would say

What if I find another house I like better after I’m in escrow?The answer should be it “depends”. Having a bird in the hand is always better than having two in the bushWhere are we in the escrow process?Have you waived any contingencies?What were the terms related to your offer and the deposit?This question will give you a glimpse into the heart of your Realtor. The agent should use questions to educate the client, while always remembering the “buyer” is the boss that needs gentle guidance.

Why would you recommend a lender?It’s true that some real estate agents get some type of compensation by the lender they refer business to.That is illegal in some states without it being disclosed.That can also create an issue when it comes to being “impartial”.While most realtors say they know nothing about loans, if they have any time on the job, they will know enough to realize when their client is getting taken or if it’s a fair deal.

When are you available to show me properties?The best answer: Whenever you are The home viewing process can be better handled by a committed buyers agent.However, some “singular” agent teams do a great job too.Just find out if you want to view homes on weekends, if the agent you are hiring works weekends.Make sure you are also going to be working with a single realtor, getting “passed around” creates lapses in time and trust.

Real Estate Consultants – Final WordYour real estate agent should answer these questions and moreThey should be all about disclosure and explanationThe realtor you choose should be like your shield and guide in the real estate processThey should never be about pressure or forceThey should always view you, the client, as being the reason they are in business in the first place.Communication is Key and the Lacking of communication is the biggest complaint of real estate buyers!!!

We are REMAX of Valencia CA’s

Paris911 TeamREMAX of Valencia CA

25101 The Old RoadSanta Clarita CA, 91381

661-400-1720

Connor and Paris MacIvor – Plus a Team of 6 Full Time Buyers Agents and a Full time Licensed Assistant and short sale negotiator.