What to Ask Your RE/MAX Alliance Listing Agent

Are you a full-time licensed RE/MAX Realtor?

This question should be the first one you ask, only because a full-time licensed Realtor will have more invested in the transaction than someone who is working real estate deals as a side gig.  Second, licensed Realtors will have had more training and are required by the state they are licensed in to hold a certain amount of continued education credits, which ensure they are current with real estate laws. In addition, a full-time Realtor’s yearly average should be around 6-7 closings.  If your Realtor states they have only had 2 in the past year, but claim they are full-time, you should be weary. Likewise, if they claim to have had an absurdly high amount of closings, you might want to double check on the accuracy of such statements.  

What specific credentials and accreditations do you hold?

This is the second most important question because certain Realtors have specific specialties that may enable them to better assist you with your transaction.  For instance, they may specialize in short sales, first home buyers, investment properties, residential real estate, commercial properties, relocation, luxury homes, land parcels, horse and farm properties, mountain resort properties, or a specific kind of lifestyle.  In addition, many renowned RE/MAX Realtors will have also been awarded things like the RE/MAX Hall of Fame, RE/MAX Lifetime Achievement and the RE/MAX Circle of Legends Award.  These specific kinds of distinctions can help to ensure you get the best service for your specific needs.

Do you work alone or are you part of real estate team?

This is a good question to ask because there are certain advantages of working with an agent who is also part of larger real estate team.  Some benefits may include greater flexibility by the agent and their administrative staff, more concentrated marketing efforts and services, great availability, and more combined years of experience. The awesome thing about working with a RE/MAX Alliance agent regardless if they are part of a team or not, is that every one of our Realtors is backed by the #1 real estate franchise in the world! This means they will have more resources available to them than your average agent who works for a lesser-named real estate brand.

What kind of marketing can I expect, are your services guaranteed, and how often can I expect to receive feedback?

A legitimate Realtor understands that buying and selling a home involves way more than just securing the financing and moving, therefore, most will offer additional services that will help facilitate the process.  Of course, just like any other business that involves sales, folks sometimes have the tendency to exaggerate, and for this reason it is important to make sure everything you are promised will be fulfilled. Furthermore, communicating feedback on things like how often your property was viewed on national websites like Realtor.com or what potential buyers have to say about the show-ability of the property can help you gauge how well your home is doing in a competitive market.

What are your specific averages when it comes to things like sales price and time on the market?  

Knowing these kinds of stats can help reassure that you have chosen the right Realtor for your specific needs.  For instance, if you are trying to sell a luxury home you may not want to list with agent who only has experience selling properties that are $250K or less.   Likewise, if they say their listings average less time on the market than regional stats suggest, you likely are working with an experienced agent who has perfected their marketing strategies.

Can I have in writing a breakdown of all the transaction fees associated with the sale of my home?

This is the last question just because this kind of stuff is typically standard for each state and most sellers who want to work with a Realtor understand that. However, your Realtor should still be able to give a detailed breakdown of where exactly the average 6% of fees will go.  This kind of information will help give peace of mind, as well as a better understanding of the intricate workings of a real estate transaction.