Have you ever been diagnosed with a medical condition for which you sought a second opinion…and then maybe a third as well?
A good doctor will respect your desire to be well informed and at peace with the treatment protocol. Sometimes, insurance providers will even require a second opinion before paying for treatment.
The same goes for real estate transactions. When it comes time to sell your house, three opinions are better than one. That’s why it’s important to interview at least three real estate agents before choosing one.
If you have a family member or friend in the real estate business, great! You’ve identified the first agent to interview.
Now you need to find two additional agents. Here are three ways to do that:
- Identify houses that have recently sold in your neighborhood, and ask the sellers for the name of the listing agents.
- Call or visit a title company or real estate closing office, and ask for the names of the agents they regularly see in their office representing seniors who’ve sold their houses.
- Contact Senior Relocation USA at 866-704-0164 or visit SeniorRelocationUSA.com to connect with a Senior Relocation Concierge who will put you in touch with two carefully screened and surveyed, senior-focused local real estate agents. Senior Relocation USA will also refer you to senior move managers who can assist with the transition.
What questions should you ask in real estate agent interviews?
Rick Hunsicker, Founder and CEO/President of Hunsicker Senior Living Services, arms seniors with a list of key questions to ask prospective real estate agents:
- How long have you been in residential real estate in this area?
- How many houses have you sold as the listing agent in the last 12 months?
- How many listings in this area have you sold in the last 12 months?
- What special designations or training have you had to help sell your listings?
- How will you market my house on the internet? To the other agents with buyers?
- What do I need to do to get the house ready for the market?
- What are the best things about my house, and what are the drawbacks?
By interviewing three real estate agents, you’ll be able to choose the one that best understands your unique situation, offers the most realistic price and timeframe, and fits with your personality.
So go ahead and get that second, and third, opinion! The success of your home sale experience may very well depend on it.
About the Author
Kaci O’Dell is the Director of Marketing for Senior Relocation USA, a nationwide home sale and transition service for seniors and their families. Senior Relocation USA provides seniors with a personal Senior Relocation Concierge, two real estate agents to interview, referrals to senior move managers, and a cash back bonus (in most states). For more information, visit SeniorRelocationUSA.com.
