12 Questions You Should Ask Before Hiring Any Real Estate Agent and or REALTOR in Washington, D.C., Maryland or Virginia.


Here Are 12 Powerful and Insightful Questions You Should Ask A Real Estate Agent and or a Realtor BEFORE You Sign Anything!


If you’re in the market to sell your home, OR purchase a home, there’s something you should know.
Real Estate Agents and REALTORS in Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia Are NOT All The Same!

    Your decision to place your home for sale involves more than simply running an ad, holding a few open houses, and waiting for the sales proceeds check.  And your decision to buy a home clearly involves more than looking at two or three homes, making an offer, and moving in. 

    Hiring the wrong Realtor in Maryland, DC, Virginia or anywhere for that matter can mean the difference between making or losing money, selling or buying quickly…or taking a long time, a trouble-free transaction, or a living nightmare.

    Unless you have experience interviewing people (and Real Estate Agents in particular), you won’t always know what questions to ask.  Further, you won’t always know what answer will best suit your needs for buying or selling.  So here’s a list of 12 important and insightful questions you should ask ANY Real Estate Agent in Maryland and the DC Metropolitan Area in general BEFORE you sign anything.

Question #1: How Long Have You Been Practicing Real Estate in Maryland or State you live in?

    This question will reveal more than just years practicing.  You want to delve down into the number of transactions, average price range, specialized areas and types of homes they’ve purchased or sold.  You also want to know how productive they’ve been in each year in practice. 

    Some Real Estate Agents in business less than five years may have more experience than other agents in business 10 years or more!  You want to know how many brokers they’ve worked for, and what kind of experience they have that will apply directly to your real estate situation.

Question #2: What Qualifications Do You Have To Sell Real Estate in Maryland, DC and Virginia?

    This question looks for their overall commitment and dedication to building his/her personal skills.  If they’re not willing to commit to improving themselves, they may not commit to your needs and satisfaction either.

    First, look at their overall education.  Did they go to college?  Do they have any REALTOR or professional designations?  How often do they invest in improving their skills and keeping up with technology and other industry trends?

    Experience should also carry over to negotiating and financial skills.  And don’t forget the ancillary experience required for Real Estate.

Question #3: Tell Me About Your Personal Real Estate Operation in Maryland?

    This is an open-ended question designed to get your Real Estate Agent talking about his or her business.  You want to know how much they’ve invested into their business as it relates to giving you competent and quality service.  For example, do they have an assistant to take home inquiries when they’re not in the office?  Do they have a pager, cellular phone, email, and other methods for reaching them?

    Here’s what you’re looking for:  The more a Real Estate Agent or REALTOR invests into his or her own success, office, and systems, the more he/she will be able to commit to you.

Question #4: Can You Give Me A List Of Client References To Call?

    An agent who doesn’t accumulate a list of satisfied references either doesn’t do much business, or isn’t providing the kind of service or follow-through you need.  References don’t always need to be past clients.  Get professional references as well:  bankers, mortgage lenders, appraisers, attorneys, etc.

Question #5: Do You Have A Formal And Written Marketing Plan For Selling Homes?

    This question applies more to sellers than buyers.  Your Real Estate Agent’s marketing plan needs to be extensive – not just holding open houses, entering your home on MLS, or running classified ads.

    The key to selling a home is CONSISTENCY.  Your home must be consistently marketed to those people capable of buying.  This cannot be accomplished if a Real Estate Agent doesn’t have a diversified arsenal of marketing strategies.  Look for special ideas, consistency, and persistence in his or her marketing plan.

Question #6: What Systems Do You Have For Tracking The Home Market (Buyers)/ or Tracking My Home Listing (Sellers) On A Regular Basis?

    This is a very important question.  If you’re a home buyer, you want to know his or her competence in understanding values of certain areas.  They also need systems to keep you continually up-to-date with opportunities in the market.  You want them to have more than “access to Multiple Listing Service.”  How often does that Real Estate Agent or REALTOR actually preview homes in Maryland, Washington, DC and Virginia and/or your price range?  How often do they talk to neighbors or participate with other activities in those areas?

    If you’re a seller, you want to price your home correctly, and be regularly updated with important buyer activity.  How many calls did you get on your home this week?  What marketing strategies did you use?  How many home visits from other agents did you have (and what were their comments)?  How many people visited your open house?

    If a Real Estate Agent does not have specific systems for measuring and reporting these items, perhaps you should consider someone else.

Question #7: Do You Guarantee Your Performance?

    Some Real Estate Agents in Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia will give you a blank stare at this question.  If they do, you might want to consider taking your business elsewhere.  Why?  Because you need to know if your interests are aligned.  Is your agent willing to stake his or her successful outcome with yours?

    Why shouldn’t your Real Estate Agent also guarantee his/her performance? 

    Smart REALTORS guarantee their services for two reasons:
1) They’re confident they can perform for you because of their experience, commitment, and work ethic; and 2) It’s smart marketing for an agent to guarantee his/her services.  If you buy a television, it’s guaranteed.  If you buy a car, it’s guaranteed.  These days, nearly everyone must offer a guarantee to help stimulate a sale.  Real Estate Agents on the cutting edge of marketing guarantee their services.

“If you don’t like the service I’m providing you or I’m not meeting your expectations, fire me!  You’re in control.”  Kacem Benali.

Question #8:  Can You Refer Me To A Reputable Mortgage Lender, Banker, Appraiser, or Real Estate Lawyer?

    This question reveals how active the Real Estate Agent is, and how well connected they are professionally.  At some point in the buying or selling process, you will need the services of a reputable, competent lender, appraiser, title company, etc.  If your REALTOR is active, committed, and diligent with their practice, he or she will be able to give you a few names of each right on the spot.

Take a look at what Paul Stagnitto from Equity United Mortgage Brokers has to say about the financing Process.

Question #9: What Percentage Of Your Business Comes By Referral?

    Here’s the “$64,000 question!”  Competent, well-known Real Estate Agents in Rockville, MD and everywhere else get a large part of their business from satisfied past clients and members of their sphere of influence. 

    If a Real Estate Agent in Bethesda, MD for example or elsewhere gets less than 25% of new business through referrals, it may be because:  1) The quality of service they offer is not up to standard (hence, people don’t feel compelled to refer to them after a transaction); 2) They lack the marketing experience or skills required to market for referrals (which means they may not bring strong skills to your transaction); or 3) They don’t cultivate contacts in their business (which means they won’t have many people to speak with about your home).

    Clearly, the best way past clients show their gratitude for outstanding service is by referring their family, friends, and associates.

Question #10:  How Many People Do You Speak With Each Day About Real Estate?

    This question will tell you how connected an agent is, and how active they’ll “talk-up” your home to buyers, or find a home for you by talking to other Real Estate Agents.  Hopefully, your agent talks to at least 20 people a day about real estate.  If not, they may not be very active.

Question #11: Do You Personally Spend Money Advertising Your Services Or Homes For Sale?

    This question pertains more to listings, but it’s also a question a buyer should ask to determine an agent’s commitment to invest in the successful outcome of their client.  There are two situations to identify here: 

    1) Real Estate Agents who are very busy and who produce a lot of income for their broker will frequently receive advertising allowances from their broker.  If your agent receives allowances, that’s generally a good sign. 

    2) However, if a REALTOR or Real Estate Agent is not as busy, OR if their broker does not have an ad allowance for top producers, you want to learn their commitment to “put their money where their mouth is” when it comes to marketing your home. 

Question #12:  Will You Personally Handle Contract Negotiations?

    Surprisingly, many Real Estate Agents and Realtors in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia simply submit or receive offers, and act as a conduit between you and the buyer (or seller).  That’s not good enough.  You want an agent who has reasonable Negotiation Skills (Read what Kacem has to say about Negotiation Skills).  You want an agent who’s committed to your interests. 

“ I negotiate all my contracts personally, it’s the best and most important part of my job so why would I let anyone one else take care of it?”  Kacem Benali.

    They’ll need to represent you to other Real Estate Agents and buyers/sellers.  It’s a good idea to follow-up the above question by investigating specifically HOW their negotiation skills saved other clients money, hassles, or help a deal come together.

There Are “Real Estate Agents”…
And Then There Are Committed Professionals.
Which One Do YOU Want Representing Your Interests?

    The answers to the above questions should give you a good feel for the commitment and competency of the Real Estate Agent in Maryland, Washington, DC and Virginia you’re thinking about using.  Remember, all agents are not the same!

    Over the past five years, I have recognized this fact, which is why I wrote this special report, and structured my practice to give the most competent service possible.

    There’s a difference between Real Estate Agents who simply sell real estate, and those who COMMIT to whatever it takes to serve clients beyond their expectations.  I’ve been in real estate over five years.  I am a full-time REALTOR®.  I have a Business and Communications Degree with a Minor in French from Arizona State University and a complete resume for your review. 

    I also make it a priority to educate you on every aspect of Buying or Selling a Home in Maryland, Washington, DC and Virginia.  I have a long list of past clients and professional references you can call at any time to discuss the quality of my service and follow-up. 

    I have an unprecedented and EXCLUSIVE! 28-Step marketing plan that is unequalled by anyone in the industry.  I have specifically designed marketing tracking systems for buying markets, and for homes I list and sell.

    I guarantee everything I do in writing.  This places the burden of risk and performance on ME, not you.  I also have references for reputable people in mortgage lending, appraisals, title and escrow companies, tax specialists, and attorneys.  These are people I have used in other transactions.

    Each day, I speak with over 20 people directly related to buying or selling real estate.  And I receive over 80% of my new clients through referrals and repeat business.  My personal marketing involves such outstanding and continued service to my existing clients and personal network that they’re inclined to share my services with family and friends.

I’m Not Saying These Things To Impress You,
But Impress UPON You The Difference Between A
Real Estate Agent, And A Competent, Dedicated Professional.

    Buying and selling Real Estate in Maryland, Washington D.C and Virginia can be tricky business.  And selecting the wrong Real Estate Agent can cost you a lot of money, headaches, and wasted time.  TRY my services, RISK FREE, to see…

➢    How much money I can save you on your next transaction.
➢    How I can reduce your time to sell your existing home, or locate a great home at the right price.
➢    How I can help refer you to competent real estate services: special loan packages, title and escrow services, appraisers, and more.
➢    How I can make your sale or purchase problem FREE!

    Call me at (202) 413-3052 to get started.

But Don’t Wait!

FOR A LIMITED TIME I’M OFFERING A $1,000 DOLLAR CLIENT APPRECIATION CHECK FOR ALL CLOSINGS.

I enjoy working with clients, and sometimes my practice gets booked up fast.  In order to make sure I have undivided time for you, I need to hear from you immediately so there are no time conflicts in helping you.

    Plus, I know there’s a natural tendency to procrastinate and put off important decisions.  But the more you procrastinate, the more pressure ultimately rests with you.

By Not Acting Now, You Could Open Yourself To
Losing Thousands Of Dollars

    So call now, and I’ll immediately arrange a convenient time to meet and share with you my exclusive buyer and seller marketing programs. 

Kacem Benali  REALTOR.
Mobile: (202) 413-3052
Fairfax Realty
   
Click Here to Start your MLS Home Search!

P.S.  Knowing the right questions to ask any Real Estate Agent can save you an enormous amount of money, time, and hassles.  And clearly, not all Real Estate Agents and Realtors are the same!  So when you’re finished reading this report, give me a call at (202) 413-3052 for a Free, no obligation review of how I can save you time, money, and hassles on your next Real Estate transaction.  I look forward to hearing from you!


Kacem Benali is a Licensed Maryland Real Estate Agent and REALTOR.  If you’re moving to Maryland and or simply looking to buy or sell a home, condo or townhouse in Maryland call the best Real Estate Agent around Kacem Benali.  Kacem is a well-known Rockville REALTOR.  Kacem has been working in Rockville Maryland for a long time now and knows the area very well.  Kacem is a licensed Real Estate Agent in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia.  If you are looking for a Real Estate Agent and REALTOR in Bethesda, North Bethesda, Silver Spring, Wheaton, Rockville, Germantown, Chevy Chase or Gaithersburg you have come to the right place.  Kacem is also your Real Estate Agent and REALTOR in Takoma Park, Greenbelt, Potomac, North Potomac, Kensington, Kentlands and Olney if your looking to buy or sell a property.  There are many Real Estate Agents in Maryland but if you’re looking for an expert in his own field, Montgomery County and Prince Georges County then you have found what you’re looking for, Kacem Benali REALTOR.

Kacem Benali is a Licensed Real Estate Agent and REALTOR in Washington, DC.  Kacem is an experienced and exceptional Real Estate Agent in Washington, DC and has been helping people with all their Real Estate needs for years.  Weather you’re looking to buy or sell a home, condo or townhouse you have come to the right place, Kacem Benali is the only Real Estate Agent and Realtor in Washington, DC you need.

Kacem Benali is also a Licensed Real Estate Agent and REALTOR in Virginia.  Kacem works primarily in Northern Virginia and thus his area of expertise in Real Estate and experience as a Real Estate Agent and Realtor has been in Arlington, Fairfax, Alexandria, Great Falls, Vienna and Leesburg Virginia.  There are many Real Estate Agents and Realtors in Virginia but if you’re looking for someone that is an expert in Northern Virginia Real Estate then your looking for Kacem Benali REALTOR and you have come to the right place.