Selling a home can be a stressful process. Not only do you need to deal with an influx of potential buyers, but if you're selling and buying simultaneously, you'll need to spend time searching for homes and applying for a mortgage. Thankfully, though, you don't have to go through the process alone. That's what real estate agents are for. But if you're going to hire one, it's important to find the best person for the job. Here are four questions you must ask a real estate agent before signing a contract.
1. What fee do you charge?
Real estate agents don't work for free, and they don't tend to just charge a random fee. Rather, their fee is generally calculated as a percentage of your home's sale price. Usually, you'll pay somewhere in the ballpark of 5% to 6% to use a real estate agent's services. But there's a big difference between 5% and 6%, so find out what fee you're looking at and whether there's any room to negotiate.
2. How much time do you get to sell my home?
The last thing you want is to get stuck with a real estate agent who doesn't put a lot of effort into selling your home, thereby leaving it to sit on the market for months on end. Instead, ask your real estate agent what sort of time frame you have to commit to. Your agent might insist on a minimum of three months to move your home off the market. That's generally a reasonable period of time. But in today's seller-centric market, you may not want to agree to a six-month contract. Related video: 10 Cities Where It’s Now Easier to Find a House for Sale
