When you’re ready to sell you house, one of the first steps is finding the right listing agent. From headshots on yard signs to park benches, you’ve probably seen real estate agents promoting themselves all over.

But, where do you begin?

Finding the right partner to sell your home starts with asking the right questions.

Here’s our list of three key questions to ask a real estate agent to help you have a successful home sale in the Cleveland area and beyond.

How long have you been a real estate agent?

Obvious question, right?

More experience isn’t always what you’re looking for, though. While an experienced agent may have more connections or a refined pitch, younger agents may have more time to focus on your home sale.

If you’re considering an agent with less experience, ask them about the courses or seminars they’ve completed. If you’re satisfied with their training, this is a good time to find out how many clients they’re working with. If the number is low, your sale may mean a lot more.

Looking for a more seasoned professional? Ask about how many successful sales they have, not the number of years they’ve been in business. Closing rates tell a lot more about an agent’s skills than the number of years they’ve been in business.

Can you provide a few references?

This question goes back to the idea that successful sales matter more than years in business. A good agent should be able to provide real-world examples of their success — winners keep score!

If they’re a younger agent, there’s still a good chance they have references from a previous employer on hand to back up their sales skill.

But that’s not all.

Make sure to ask if you can follow up on the reference list, and then actually call their list. All you need to ask is for the reference to share their experience working with your agent. Great agents leave a good impressions, and the reference will have a lot to say about their work.

Can you help me find a title agency?

If you’re reading this blog, hopefully you’re considering Ohio First Land Title to help you close your sale. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t test if your agent understands the closing process!

Even new real estate agents should have a good grasp of the closing process and have vendors in mind to make sure the entire transaction is a success.

Also, it shouldn’t catch the agent off guard when you say you already have a title agency in mind. Good agents not only have connections to make sure you have a great sales experience, but they should also be able to work with anyone to make sure you have the best experience.