Ready to find our more about your real estate options? Call The Mixon Team at 985-277-1063. Wondering how much your home is worth? Check our home value estimator.
Here are 12 questions to ask a real estate agent or broker before you hire them to help with your home sale or purchase. Interviewing potential candidates is the only way to select a Realtor® with the personality, credentials and experience that suits your real estate needs.
We took the liberty of putting in our answers for you in case you are looking for a real estate agent in New Orleans or surrounding areas.
How many years of experience do you have?
Check that the agent is used to dealing with properties that mirror yours in terms of size, style and price point. A seasoned agent that sells historic homes may not be the best agent for selling a production starter home.
- I have two years of experience as a real estate agent. I am also an experienced general contractor. Not only can I help with your real estate transactions, you will have the advantage of my construction knowledge and experience.
Do you hold any special accreditation?
All real estate agents should hold a license given by their local state regulatory board. Many real estate agents take their education further and earn advanced designations in specialties such as buyer representation, property management, second-homes and the seniors market.
- The Mixon Team is just beginning to train for our special accreditation, but we are committed to our individual and team growth when it comes to gaining designations.
How many homes did you close last year?
A solo agent who is selling two or three homes a week likely is not going to have time for you. You want a real estate agent that will hold your hand through the home selling process, not pass you to an assistant or are too busy to return your calls.
- Last year, we closed 24 homes. This year, we have higher expectations and have added more members to The Mixon Team. You can feel confident in our dedication to communicating with our clients often.
How many homes did you close in my neighborhood?
Real estate markets are incredibly local. One house may experience a different price point and absorption rates (time on the market), and attract a different type of buyer than a similar house just one street over. A good agent on paper is no use to you if she isn’t doing active business in your local market. Exceptional agents typically specialize in just a handful of communities. That way, they can keep up to date with school rankings, crime rates, zoning policies, employment statistics, and freeway expansions – all the metrics that determine a property’s true value.
- We would be happy to get your our local numbers when you tell us your specific neighborhood. We have team members from one side of town to the other that are sure to know your neighborhood. If we don’t, you have our commitment to research any pertinent facts that would apply to the purchase or sale of your home.
How many days does it take you to sell the average home?
The real estate agent you interview should be able to tell you how long her listings sit on the market.
- On average, our homes sell within 37 days. We work hard to keep this number low for our clients.
What percentage of homes sell at the full asking price? How close to the initial asking prices were the final sale prices of the homes you sold?
This question establishes how skilled the Louisiana real estate agent is at pricing homes. Get the price point too high, and the home will be harder to market and sell; too low, and you’ll be out of pocket by many thousands of dollars.
- Our listing and marketing team at The Mixon Team, Keller Williams Realty, is very proud of the fact that our sale price is normally 98% of the listing price. We have had several sell at listing price.
Will I be working with you directly or passed to a teammate?
Real estate agency teams are growing in popularity. Done properly, they allow people with different skill-sets to collaborate. A well-structured team frees the sales agent to do what she does best – sell your home – while the administration team shows houses and handles the paperwork. On the other hand, collaboration doesn’t work if the team behind the agent is poor, or you can’t connect with your primary agent. If you’re worried about being passed to an assistant, go with the solo player.
- At The Mixon Team, you will work with me directly if you are selling your home. If you’re interested in buying a home, you will work with our Buyer Specialist. There is no passing you back and forth. We do what we’re good at, which means you get the best attention and the dedication of a highly trained professional.
Do you work full-time or part-time as a real estate agent?
Deals can be won or lost in minutes. You deserve an agent who is dedicated full time to your home.
- We work full time to make sure we meet all your real estate needs.
Do you own your home?
Around 85% of real estate professionals are homeowners. An agent that has been through the process is more likely to empathize with your situation and soothe your worries respectfully. An agent who lives locally is more likely to have their finger on the pulse of the local market and can offer first-hand advice about the local community, such as the schools and transport systems.
- Not only do I own my home, I was the General Contractor on the build.
How will you market my home?
You don’t want an agent who’s going to put a poor quality photograph of your house on the company website and hope for the best. Good agents have aggressive and multi-pronged marketing strategies that adapt to the buyer’s or a seller’s market.
- You will get the best in marketing for your real estate needs. We use current technology to the fullest. Some of the methods we may use are social media, websites, magazines, word of mouth, prospecting phone calls, flyers, and networking.
How often will I hear from you?
You’re both busy people, so you need an agent whose communication style fits well with yours. Do you prefer an agent to keep in touch through phone calls or e-mail? Do you expect a call after someone tours your house, even if the viewer is no hot prospect? Would you like twice-weekly updates, or just when there’s something to report?
- We are committed to effective communication. You’ll hear from us at least once a week unless there’s more information that we need to share at other times.
Why should I hire you?
Don’t settle for someone who promises to list, market and sell your property: this is the basic level of service that every agent should offer. What you want to hear is what makes this person stand out from the crowd? If the agent can’t sell herself, she probably can’t sell your home.
- The agents of The Mixon Team are hardworking, ambitious, go-getters who care about their clients. We strive to build strong relationships while providing a high level of customer service. We will go above and beyond to get to the closing table. Our service goes beyond the closing. Clients for life. Friends for life.
Ready to find our more about your real estate options? Call The Mixon Team at 985-277-1063. Wondering how much your home is worth? Check our home value estimator.
