Frequently Asked Questions
As a prospective homeowner, selecting the right real estate professional in Bettendorf, Clinton, Davenport, or Eldridge, Iowa or Galesburg, Geneseo, Kewanee, or Moline, Illinois, or anywhere is critical. Your Mel Foster Co. REALTOR® will keep you informed of this quick changing industry, swings in market conditions, and the availability and demand for property inventory. A Mel Foster Co. agent also protects your legal interests when facing difficult negotiations or confusing contracts.
To assist you with finding the agent to partner with, here are some questions and answers to know concerning the process of selling a home!
Frequently Asked Questions on Selecting An Agent
How long has the agent been in residential real estate sales? Is it their full time job?
While experience is no guarantee of skill, real estate - like many other professions is mostly learned on the job.
How many homes did you and your real estate brokerage sell last year?
By asking this question, you'll get a good idea of how much experience the agent has and the reputation of the company.
What designations does the real estate agent hold?
Designations such as GRI, CRS, and SRES require real estate agents to take additional, specialized real estate training. These designations are held only by about one-quarter of real estate practitioners.
Can you recommend service providers who can help me obtain a mortgage, make home repairs, and help with other things I need done?
Because REALTORS® are immersed in the industry; they are wonderful resources as you seek lenders, home improvement companies, and other home service providers. Practitioners should generally recommend more than one provider and let you know if they have special relationships with or receive compensation from any of the suggested providers.
What type of support and supervision does your brokerage office provide to you?
Having resources such as in-house support staff, access to real estate attorneys and assistance with technology can help an agent sell your home in the shortest amount of time and for the best possible price.
What is your business philosophy?
While there is no right answer to this question, the response will help you assess what's important to the agent and determine how closely the agent's goals and business emphasis mesh with your own.
How will you keep me informed about the progress of my transaction? How frequently?
Again, this is not a question with a correct answer, but how you judge the response will reflect your own desires. Do you want updates twice a week, or do you prefer not to be bothered unless there's a hot prospect? Do you prefer phone, e-mail, text message or a personal visit?
Is the agent savvy about current technology?
With all the online tools available to agents these days, you can expect nearly immediate e-mails about new property listings and quick replies to your queries.
Can you give me the name and phone numbers of your three most recent clients?
Ask recent clients if they would work with this REALTOR® again. Find out whether they were pleased with the communication style, follow-up and work ethic of this REALTOR®.
Back to Top