Interviewing Realtors

As we help people prepare to move to senior living, we often find the person moving has lived in their home for several decades. They are parting with a home that has great sentimental value to everyone in the family. We've put together this list of questions to help you find a realtor that will be sensitive to how difficult this process can be.

1. Are they a full-time, licensed realtor? If you are anxious to get your home sold, you might not want to select a realtor who only works part-time.

2. How will they decide how to price your home? You want to find someone experienced in your community so they understand the true market value of your home.

3. How will they market your home? Will they advertise online and in print? What about on any real estate cable shows?

4. What commission do they charge? Depending upon the area of the country, these percentages can vary widely. There are also realtors who charge a flat fee based on different packages you can choose from.

5. What time frame are you required to sign a contract for? Many experts suggest starting with only a 3 month contract so you can assess how hard the realtor works on your behalf.

6. Does the realtor have a senior specific designation called an SRES? The Senior Real Estate Specialist designation is one agents earn through the Senior Advantage Real Estate Council. It means they have additional expertise in helping older sellers through this process. You can search for an SRES realtor in your area by clicking on this link: http://www.seniorsrealestate.com/sarec/.

7. Are they a disclosed dual-agent? This is another key question to ask. Then you know if offers they are bringing you are from another client they are representing as a buyer.

8. Can they provide a list of references? Previous clients can give you a lot of insight. Don't overlook this step.