Questions to Ask a Realtor Before You Hire Them

Choosing the best possible real estate agent to sell your house is critical, especially in a nuanced, constantly evolving market like Ottawa. As Realtors ourselves, we always encourage our potential clients to explore a range of options before making a decision.

Your agent will directly impact your selling experience, from how smooth the process is, to how fast you sell, and what you sell for.

If you’re searching for a real estate agent to sell your house, you’ll want to research multiple options and interview your top candidates before deciding who to hire. A key element of this process is knowing what to look for in an agent and what to ask.

In this blog post, we’ll share some of the best questions to ask a Realtor before signing a listing agreement.

Also looking for a new home?
Find out the right questions to ask when buying a house

What’s Your Level of Experience?

In today’s market, you’ll want to choose a real estate agent with multiple years of experience. Here’s why.

Ottawa real estate has experienced a significant degree of change over the past decade, and the market is still evolving day by day. An agent with extensive experience will have sold homes across a wide scope of market fluctuations, economic conditions, and other external factors.

Using this real world experience to your advantage, they’ll ensure your listing is primed for whatever conditions the market throws your way.

What Ottawa Neighbourhoods Do You Work In?

In addition to general experience, you’ll want to choose a real estate agent who works in your specific neighbourhood. From Kanata to Centreville and Orleans, every Ottawa community has its own micro market when it comes to real estate. Always ask a Realtor where they work and what level of experience they have in your neighbourhood.

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How Many Homes Have You Sold in My Area (And How Recently)?

Once you’ve found an agent who knows your local micro market, don’t be afraid to ask for specific examples of recent transactions. It’s immensely helpful to know how many homes an agent has sold in your area and how recently.

As a bonus, you can also ask an agent for references, allowing you to speak with neighbours about their experience working with them.

Is Your Approach Full Service?

Another major differentiator among Ottawa Realtors is service. While some agents offer the bare minimum, others will go above and beyond to ensure your needs are met.

Working with a full-service real estate agent can be especially helpful if you’re facing a sale under unique circumstances, such as selling a parent’s home after they’ve passed away, preparing to move out of town, or downsizing to a smaller property.

What Do You Think My House is Worth in Today’s Market?

Houses in Ottawa don’t have a fixed or objective monetary value. Instead, your property’s worth is determined by the market and what buyers will pay.

When speaking to a Realtor, ask for their opinion on your home’s potential value. This will give you a sense of their market savviness and how their professional knowledge aligns with your expectations.

As an extension of this topic, you should also ask agents about their pricing strategy. Do they have a specific approach to pricing? Where would they recommend setting your asking price?

Curious about your home’s market value?
Book a property evaluation with our team

How Can I Add Value to My Home?

Next, ask about adding value. Every Realtor has different strategies for making properties more valuable.

Would they recommend upgrading or renovating your home before it reaches the market? What types of improvements do they feel have the best ROI? Can they recommend contractors or tradespeople and coordinate these services if needed?

Ask them if they recommend home staging for your property.

About to sell your house? We’ve got even more resources to support your goals.

How Do You Reach Buyers?

It’s also important to ask an agent about how they’ll reach buyers once your house is on the market. Some Ottawa agents simply list the home on MLS and wait for buyers to take notice. Others are much more proactive with their marketing efforts.

As part of this, do a deep dive into the agent’s website and social media before you speak to them. Take note of how they advertise their listings and compare it to other Realtors you come across.

Pelletier Team: Your Ottawa Home Sellers

When you’re ready to sell your house in Ottawa, our team of experts is here to help. Starting with an expert home evaluation, your success is our top priority. We’re here to help you make informed decisions, avoid mistakes, and empower your home sale. Get in touch today to take the first step of your home-selling journey.