Expired Listing: The Right Questions
to Ask Your Realtor Before Listing Again!

When you list your home with a real estate agent and it doesn’t sell, it is called an “Expired Listing”. It’s a very frustrating experience. You ask yourself a lot of questions. Where did I go wrong? Was it my real estate agent? Did I price the home too high? Is there something about my house that did not appeal to buyers? Is it my neighborhood? Is it a combination of all these? The real problem is the previous agent you trusted. Before you interview any new prospective agents, get the information you need to make a confident choice on the sale of your home.

With so much time and money at stake, don’t make the same mistake again. Make sure the agent you choose to represent you is qualified and capable of selling your home. Don’t make a decision because you feel obligated to a friend or relative. Because your listing has expired, it’s easy for people to believe that you have a problem property. It is doubly important for you to get the right agent.

The average person will ask co-workers, family and friends for information about reliable and trustworthy real estate agents. Sometimes, sellers just watch for neighborhood “For Sale” signs. Others simply rely on the name of a trusted national franchise company. Without consistent and reliable information, any of these options could result in a tragedy.

First and foremost, trust your instincts. You must select an agent that you feel good about. You want someone that you feel comfortable with and can trust. The right agent will work with you to accomplish your goals on your time table… not there’s.

Before selecting another agent, ask for references from past sellers. Ask if they have testimonial letters. Keep an open mind as you review the information. This may or may not be an accurate description of the agent’s experience and capabilities.

You are looking for an agent that specializes in listing and marketing homes to sell at Top Dollar. A good agent is a good communicator. He/she will give you specific recommendations for selling your home quickly and efficiently. A good listing agent will also have other listings and may find your best buyer from people asking about those listings.

Carefully examine the reputation of the company the agent works for. Talk to local business leaders and friends. Call the Chamber of Commerce. Find out about the reputation of the company in the community.

Regardless of whether you are in a fast or slow market, it is critical that you have an open communication with your real estate agent. Ask the agent how often you can expect to hear from him/her.

Before selecting a new agent, ask about their marketing strategy. Do they have a specific marketing plan? The first 30 days is critical in selling a home.  Ask the agent about homes that are similar to yours that have sold in the past three to six months. Ask about homes that are currently on the market. What is the competition? Get an updated Competitive Market Analysis on your home. Is the agent a full-time professional or part time? You want someone working for you all day, every day.

Ask for a written step-by-step marketing plan before the signing the listing contract.  Make sure your agent is using the latest technologies for generating buyer leads.  Ask if the agent has a personal and company website that offers virtual home tours so all prospective buyers can see your home 24/7.

Finally, set up a time to review marketing plan with your agent and be willing to adjust the price of the home after the first fifteen days.  Be sure to get feedback when other agents show your home.  Use the feedback to make adjustments in your marketing strategy.