Consumer Guide: Ten Questions to Ask a Seller’s Agent – Shared Article

If you’re ready to sell your home, you should feel empowered to find and work with the agent who is the best fit for your needs. Here are ten questions you should consider when selecting an agent – with answers by The Caton Team. I read this article HERE.

1. Are you a REALTOR®?

When you work with an agent who is a REALTOR®, you are working with a professional guided by ethical duties under the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, including the pledge to protect and promote the interests of their clients.

The Caton Team are proud Realtors and uphold the Code of Ethics.

2. What types of services can you provide me?

Your agent can help you with marketing your property, interfacing with buyer’s agents, handling showings and open houses, negotiating the purchase agreement on your behalf, assisting throughout the closing process, and more.

The Caton Team shared some info here & here. Please reach out for password.

3. Are you familiar with the market where I am selling my home?

Your agent must be licensed where you are selling your home. But they should also have the market knowledge to facilitate a successful transaction. While prior experience with the market where your property is located is not a requirement, local knowledge could help your agent develop a strategy that resonates with local buyers.

The Caton Team was born and raised in the San Francisco Peninsula, aka Silicon Valley, and has over 40+ years of combined local Real Estate experience. Our clients’ journey has taken us to San Francisco County, Santa Clara County, Alameda County, and, of course, our home county of San Mateo.

4. What will be included in our listing contract?

At the outset of your relationship, you and your agent will sign a listing agreement that says the agent can represent you and market your property to potential buyers and their agents and establishes the sale price for your home. It will also lay out the type of professional representation your agent will provide and what they will be paid for those services. Remember that agent compensation is fully negotiable and not set by law.

Each client is unique as is the contract between us. We will review it with you directly.

5. How did you arrive at your suggested list price for my home?

Setting a strong initial asking price based on your agent’s knowledge of the market is important for capturing buyer interest and securing the best possible offer. Your agent should conduct market research to determine an appropriate price that both attracts prospective buyers and ensures you receive a fair market value for your home.

The Caton Team believes in transparency, we provide a market analysis and the raw data we used to arrive at the suggested price. Ultimately – you will decide your price once reviewing the data.

6. How will you market my home?

Agents may use a variety of marketing methods to reach potential buyers, and they should walk you through the pros and cons of each option. For example, one tool agents use to market properties is a Multiple Listing Service (MLS), an online platform that compiles home listings from brokerages in a given market, to reach the largest possible pool of buyers and potentially attract the best offer.

The Caton Team is happy to review our marketing plan with our clients directly and do not post our plan online. Please contact us at 650.799.4333 | Info@TheCatonTeam.com

7. How do I attract potential buyers?

There are many strategies that may help attract potential buyers. For example, offers of compensation—when you or your agent compensate another agent for bringing a buyer to successfully close the transaction—and seller concessions—when you cover certain costs associated with purchasing a home for the buyer—may lead to a better or faster offer by reducing out-of-pocket and upfront expenses for prospective buyers.

The Caton Team is happy to review our marketing plan and how we attract potential buyers with our clients directly and do not post our plan online. Please contact us at 650.799.4333 | Info@TheCatonTeam.com

8. What do I need to do to get my house ready?

To prepare your home for listing, your agent may suggest investing in necessary repairs or other upgrades that may help enhance buyer interest for the property.

The Caton Team loves this question – let’s take a look at your home and help you figure this out. Please contact us at 650.799.4333 | Info@TheCatonTeam.com

9. How will you vet potential buyers?

An important part of selling your home is ensuring that prospective buyers are financially prepared to follow through with their offer. Discuss with your agent how they plan to evaluate prospective buyers, which may include requiring a pre-approval letter to be submitted alongside the offer.

10. Do you have references I can speak with?

Many agents will be happy to connect you with satisfied clients they have worked with in the past who can speak to their experience.

YES – please read our TESTIMONIALS and read one of our favorite experiences here.

Got Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.

We love what we do and would love to help you navigate your sale or purchase of Residential Real Estate. Please reach out for a personal consultation. Please enjoy our free resources below and get to know our team from our TESTIMONIALS.

Effective. Efficient. Responsive. The Caton Team 🏡

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Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.

We strive to be more than just Realtors – we are also your home resource. If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral, or some guidance – we are here for you. Contact us at your convenience – we are but a call, text or click away!

The Caton Team believes, in order to be successful in the San Fransisco | Peninsula | Bay Area | Silicon Valley Real Estate Market we have to think and act differently. We do this by positioning our clients in the strongest light, representing them with the utmost integrity, while strategically maneuvering through negotiations and contracts. Together we make dreams come true.

A mother and daughter-in-law team with over 35 years of combined, local Real Estate experience and knowledge – wouldn’t you like The Caton Team to represent you? Let us know how we can be of service. Contact us any time.

The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina
A Family of Realtors
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
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