House hunting or selling is a tedious process and needs so much smart work. Instead of going behind multiple agents, interviewing one agent in an accurate manner will help the buyers find the exact person to work for them. People planning to sell properties will need detailed information about proper pricing in their neighbourhood to quote the right selling price. At the same time, people on the lookout for excellent properties at an affordable rate will require days of research. In a competitive market, someone with the best knowledge in the field will be of great help. A person to guide the buyer or the seller will play a pivotal role in the whole process. Residents trying to find properties for rent in Qatar can also approach rental agents, which involves more or less the same process. This is why finding the right agent will require a bit of interviewing before finalising one person.
- Can I see your real estate license?
Anybody would prefer working with a qualified person who has total knowledge of the business they’re doing. Likewise, when the buyer/seller prefers to work with a professional, it requires the agent’s proper and authorised license.
- What qualities or certifications makes you different from other agents?
Not all estate agents are alike. The way they deal with their clients and their projects speaks a lot about their talent and expertise. Working with agents who are a member of National Association of Realtors adds more credibility to the agent. Apart from this, agents holding the following certifications in continuing education for agents’ is an add on for both estate agents and the buyer hiring them.
CRS (Certified Residential Specialist): The completely qualified and best performing real estate agents get this certification.
ABR® (Accredited Buyer Representative): Agents who are expert in representing the buyers during the property transaction get this accreditation.
SRS (Accredited Seller Representative): Estate agents qualified in representing the sellers in the property transactions get this authorisation.
SRES® (Seniors Real Estate Specialist): Agents above the age of fifty who are qualified professionals get this badge.What’s your agent commission fee?
Setting and agreeing upon the fee structures and commissions before beginning working together will avoid creating confusions in the future. It will also help the buyer to find the right agent whose commission rates come under their budget.
- How will you communicate with me?
When the buyer has decided to work with an estate agent, frequent communications are of vital importance. Being in constant touch with the agent will efficiently accelerate the whole process. The agent should clarify whether he or she would discuss directly with the buyer or through a team.
- Who can I contact for a reference?
Talking to someone who has worked with an agent in the past will give the buyer a good idea about the person they are going to work with. Collecting all the best, fair, and the not so great reviews about the agent will help the buyer decide to work with them or not.
- Why is the owner selling, and how long have they lived there?
When the buyer is planning to purchase pre-owned properties, they should ask why it is getting sold from the agent. This way, there will be a transparent way of dealing between the seller and the buyer.
- What is the market like in this neighbourhood?
Going through the properties and their selling price in and around the neighbourhood will give a fair knowledge for the buyer and fix a price for the property in that particular region. Similarly, sellers should know the market in their neighbourhood for hassle-free dealings with the opposite party.
- Is the seller flexible on their price?
Before making an offer of your convenience to the buyer on their property, knowing whether they are fine with being flexible with their selling price is quite important. This information can be provided by the estate agent so that the buyer can take a step forward with confidence.
- Can you explain the home selling process from start to finish?
Selling and buying homes is a long process, and this is where an agent’s role comes to play. Not all buyers will know the complete process of buying a home. Therefore, inquiring about this to the respective agent will help the buyer understand the process thoroughly. The same applies to people looking to sell properties for the first time.
- How many sellers are you currently representing?
Swimming among a pool of buyers or sellers is definitely a risky affair. When the estate agent works with too many clients, there are many chances for confusion. Knowing these details will help the buyer and the agent organise schedules accordingly.
