What questions should I ask a real estate agent before hiring them?

<div>Interviewing real estate agents is the best way to find the right person for the job. Consider asking the following questions to find the best agent for you:<ul><li>How will you show my property?</li><li>Will you do open houses to market my home?</li><li>How will you handle dual agency (representing the buyer and you as the seller)?</li><li>Should I make repairs to my home before listing?</li><li>Will you get professional photos taken of my home?</li><li>What is the best price you think we can get for my property?</li><li>How long do you expect the sale to take?</li></ul></div>

Do I need a real estate agent as a buyer?

<div>You don’t legally need a real estate agent as a buyer, as you can represent yourself, but you should always hire an agent as a home buyer. A professional real estate agent will have access to local MLS services to find homes that meet your criteria and needs, can connect you with other professionals—like a mortgage broker and real estate attorney—you’ll need for the purchase, and can often negotiate a better price for your home to help save you money. Plus, as the buyer, your agent’s commission comes from the seller’s proceeds from the sale of the home.</div>

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*The Angi rating for Real Estate Service companies in South Lancaster, MA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Real Estate Service needs.

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Last update on April 01, 2025

Reviewed in January 2025
We had a very positive experience working with Marilyn and Company to sell our house. Despite being out of state, Marilyn went above and beyond to keep everything organized. She coordinated showings, staged the home beautifully, and managed negotiations with great skill. We wholeheartedly...
Marilyn & Company - Keller Williams Realty
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Reviewed in August 2024
There will not be enough space to describe how fabulous Marilyn & Company were during this whole process. She arrived at our house one day after calling her with research that should have taken two days to compile. She was extremely courteous and did not exact any pressure on us to hire her. ...
Marilyn & Company - Keller Williams Realty
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Reviewed in June 2024
Liz & Ellie are a great team and helped us sell our Somerville home quickly and with the utmost professionalism. They were incredibly helpful in helping us stage the house, take photos, and set up a great Open House weekend with a very quick turn around time.
Liz & Ellie Local
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Reviewed in March 2024
From the first conversation to the last few minutes of closing, Marilyn did a fantastic job for us! We had been searching for almost 3 years for our first home and Marilyn brought an enormous amount of expertise to our aid. We would absolutely recommend Marilyn to anyone!
Marilyn & Company - Keller Williams Realty
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Reviewed in April 2024
As a first-time homebuyer, navigating the real estate market seemed daunting. However, thanks to the exemplary service provided by Team Pratt (Brad and Darleen), my experience was nothing short of exceptional. From the initial consultation to the final closing, Brad and Darleen demonstrated...
Team Pratt Realty Inc.
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Reviewed in November 2023
I highly recommend Liz & Ellie Local; we interacted mainly with Ellie to sell our condo, although the whole team contributed seamlessly. Ellie is calm, competent, and communicative; she provided the big picture in terms of the market and how we could optimize our sale as well as attention to all...
Liz & Ellie Local
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Reviewed in November 2023
I highly recommend Joe for first-time home buyers. His expertise in the real estate market and exceptional customer service made the entire process stress-free. He provided valuable guidance, ensuring I made informed decisions. Joe's dedication and commitment were evident throughout, making him...
Marilyn & Company - Keller Williams Realty
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Reviewed in November 2023
Marilyn was excellent in both helping in our purchase of a new home but also selling the home we lived in for 25 years
Marilyn & Company - Keller Williams Realty
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Reviewed in November 2023
I couldn’t have asked for anything more. The service provided by my realtor Joe Elias was top notch. From customer service to professionalism and ease at handling my transaction. Joe was very knowledgeable and helpful throughout the purchase and made sure i knew everything going on at every...
Marilyn & Company - Keller Williams Realty
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Reviewed in November 2023
Everything went well and the process went smooth granted we were looking for a year. Our agent was very patient and willing to assist whenever possible and was there when we needed him!
Marilyn & Company - Keller Williams Realty
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Real estate agents in South Lancaster

Real estate services FAQs

Real estate agents work on commission, so the cost of hiring an agent will depend on the cost of the home you’re buying or selling. The listing contract should include information about the commission for both agents, which is usually 6 percent of the sale price in total or 3 percent per side. With an average national home value of around $440,000, the typical commission per agent is $13,200. However, you won’t pay this total out of pocket. Instead, the commission comes out of the sale price of the property.

Interviewing real estate agents is the best way to find the right person for the job. Consider asking the following questions to find the best agent for you:

How will you show my property?
Will you do open houses to market my home?
How will you handle dual agency (representing the buyer and you as the seller)?
Should I make repairs to my home before listing?
Will you get professional photos taken of my home?
What is the best price you think we can get for my property?
How long do you expect the sale to take?

Yes, hiring a real estate agent is worth it. Many homeowners make the mistake of trying to sell their homes by themselves, thinking that they’ll save money on the commission, but what they save on the commission, they very often pay for in frustration and concessions on the sale price. Hiring a real estate agent to handle the sale of your home not only makes the process far easier and takes the burden off of you, but most homeowners get more for their homes when going through an agent because of the marketing and salesmanship they bring to the table.

You don’t legally need a real estate agent as a buyer, as you can represent yourself, but you should always hire an agent as a home buyer. A professional real estate agent will have access to local MLS services to find homes that meet your criteria and needs, can connect you with other professionals—like a mortgage broker and real estate attorney—you’ll need for the purchase, and can often negotiate a better price for your home to help save you money. Plus, as the buyer, your agent’s commission comes from the seller’s proceeds from the sale of the home.

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