The Biggest Questions Your Clients Are Asking Today (And How to Answer Them) (2024)

Frequently Asked Real Estate Questions from Sellers

1. Is now a good time to sell?

The answer to this question depends on the specific market conditions in the seller’s area. Generally speaking, the real estate market is highly competitive right now, which is good news for sellers.

The answer to this question may include some of the biggest reasons why it may be a good time to sell:

  • Inventory is still low, with buyer demand high. If your home is priced right, it will sell quickly.
  • In a competitive market, the seller has the upper hand. This can be advantageous when it comes to negotiating terms, repairs, moving dates and more.

Of course it’s critical to give sellers your professional opinion about the current market conditions where they live, and help them make an informed decision about when to sell their house.

2. How much is my house worth?

As an agent, you already know pricing your home appropriately from the start matters. Especially today, your asking price sends a message to potential buyers. When it comes to determining the value of a home, there are several factors that need to be considered, such as the location, size and layout, condition, and features of the property, as well as the current market conditions in the area (how’s the supply and demand?).

To get a more precise estimate of a home’s worth, agents like you can conduct a Professional Equity Assessment Report (PEAR) for the seller. An alternative to a competitive market analysis (CMA), a PEAR is a simple way for real estate agents to determine the cash value of a seller’s home. No guessing, no lengthy calls with the bank or a lender.

3. What are some things I need to do to get my house ready for sale?

From taking care of big repairs to staging your house, preparing a home for sale is a crucial step in any successful home selling process. You can tell sellers one that they’ll want anyone who walks through your house to have a great first impression.

Often the first step is to remove clutter and personal items from the house. You may even need to rent a storage unit if you have a lot of belongings. Remember that potential buyers want to imagine their things in the house and not get stuck on your knick-knacks. Other steps include getting a deep clean, neutralizing decor, removing signs of pets, amping up the curb appeal, and staging the home to highlight the home’s features.

4. Would it be wise for me to have a home inspection done before listing my house?

Yes! Ordering a home inspection before listing a house can be a smart and strategic move that can benefit the seller in the long run.

Explain to the seller that a home inspection provides you with important information about the condition of your home and any potential issues that need to be addressed. It’s always better to be proactive and consider getting ahead of any critical repairs or maintenance items before putting your house on the market. There are some downsides to keep in mind, such as the cost (average cost of a home inspection is $341 in the U.S.) and the fact that you may be legally required to disclose major problems to would-be buyers. However, getting a home inspection helps ensure that your house is in top condition and that you’re not surprised by what may need to be fixed or repaired down the line.

Assure the seller that you can help them determine where to focus their efforts and stand out in a shifting housing market.

5. How long do you think it will take to sell my house?

As of February 2023, homes spent an average 67 days on the market. The median number of days property listings spend on the market is calculated from list date to closing, pending, or off-market date.

The specific answer to this question depends on demand, features and attributes of the house, as well as the local market conditions within the area, among other factors. However, timeline ranges can be as short as a week or extend to 3-6 months and beyond.

Frequently Asked Real Estate Questions from Buyers

6. What’s the initial step in purchasing a home?

Explain to your buyer that the first step when buying a home is to get pre-approved for a mortgage, which helps determine how much money you can borrow to buy a home. The pre-approval process involves meeting with a lender or mortgage broker and providing them with your financial information, such as income, debts, and assets. The lender will then review your information and let you know how much they are willing to lend you and at what interest rate.

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is important because it helps you determine your budget for buying a home and shows sellers that you are a serious buyer. Sometimes it’s even a requirement before you can look at luxury homes. Getting pre-approved can also help speed up the process once you find a home you want to make an offer on.

7. What are my options if my offer is turned down?

Let your buyer know that if an offer for a house is turned down, you have several options:

  1. Boost your offer: If the seller rejected your offer because they believe it is too low, you may consider increasing your offer.
  2. Ask for a counteroffer: The seller may not want to accept your offer but may be willing to negotiate by providing a counteroffer. This gives you an opportunity to revise your offer or negotiate other terms, such as closing date or repairs.
  3. Keep searching: If the seller is not willing to negotiate and you cannot or don’t want to increase your offer, you can move on and continue your search for another property.

8. How does my agent get paid when buying a house?

When buying a house agents get paid a commission by the seller, which is usually a percentage of the sale price. Explain to your client that the commission is split between the buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent.

The best part? As a buyer, you don’t usually have to pay your agent directly. But keep in mind that the commission is factored into the sale price of the home, so you may indirectly contribute to it as part of your purchase price.

9. What if I sell my home but I’m not able to find a new one to buy?

This question has come up a lot recently, and for good reason.

Many potential sellers are concerned that if they do decide to sell their home, they won’t be able to find one to buy in time for closing.

This is a good time to highlight your negotiating tactics, availability and commitment to helping them find a house that meets their needs in a timely fashion.

It’s also important to note that while pre-owned inventory may not be plentiful, the new construction homes hitting the housing market are a good option to explore.

Plus, closing dates are negotiable. Especially in a competitive market. And there are loan options out there that let you buy a home before you sell yours, something that could bring peace of mind to a weary seller.

10. Home prices are going down. Should I wait to buy?

Over the past year, home prices have been a widely debated topic. Some have said we’ll see a massive drop in prices and that this could be a repeat of 2008 – which hasn’t happened.

Others have forecasted a real estate market that could see slight appreciation or depreciation depending on the area of the country. As the year goes on, experts are continuing to forecast what they believe will happen with home prices in 2023 and beyond.

To best explain this, it’s good to turn to visuals. This graph shows five-year expectations for future home prices in the US from a panel of over 100 economists, investment strategists, and housing market analysts. Put this in your listing presentation, share it on social media, or save it on your phone for when this topic comes up (and it will come up).

The Biggest Questions Your Clients Are Asking Today (And How to Answer Them) (2)

Frequently Asked Real Estate Questions from Prospective Clients

11. If a lot of foreclosures hit the market, will that bring down home values?

Another big concern from potential buyers and sellers this year is that the foreclosure filings will continue to increase.

This is concerning for two big reasons:

  • a buyer doesn’t want to purchase a home at the height of the market to then have values drop
  • some homeowners may put their selling plans on hold to wait out the market

However, banks are unlikely to let what happened from 2008-2012 happen again, especially when the real estate market is playing a big part in our economic recovery.

In order to help calm any concerns about this, you can touch on these three points:

  • Foreclosure filings were down to record-low levels in 2020 and 2021, so any increase from those years is — no surprise — a jump up. And numbers today are far below the record-high 2.9 million that were reported in 2010 when the housing market crashed.
  • Banks likely don’t want to repeat the mistakes of the Great Recession. This time, many will instead negotiate a modification plan with the borrower, which will enable households to maintain ownership of the home.
  • With the amount of equity homeowners have today, many will be able to sell instead of going into foreclosure.

12. How would you market my house for sale?

We want your home to get as many eyeballs from potential buyers as possible. There are a number of strategies we can use to market your home, from recording a virtual tour to posting on relevant social media channels like Instagram and TikTok. Common examples of ways to market a home for sale include taking high-quality and professional photos and posting them online, writing an attractive listing description, hosting open houses, purchasing print advertising, and networking.

13. What is a seller’s market?

Let your client know that a seller’s market takes place when demand exceeds supply. When there is less than a 6-month supply of inventory available, we are in a seller’s market and we will see greater appreciation. With a low inventory of homes on the market, we see a continued upward pressure on home prices. Common causes of a seller’s market include:

  • Low inventory or supply of homes on the market
  • Economic growth and job creation
  • Low interest rates or mortgage rates
  • Looser lending restrictions or easier access to mortgage financing
  • Low new construction development or slower pace of new home building

14. What is a buyer’s market?

The opposite of a seller’s market is a buyer’s market. A buyer’s market occurs when supply exceeds demand, giving buyers an advantage in negotiations. More than a 7-month supply means we are in a buyer’s market and can expect depreciation in home values. Common causes of a buyer’s market include:

  • High inventory or supply of homes on the market
  • Economic downturn or recession
  • High interest rates or mortgage rates
  • Tighter lending restrictions or difficulty getting approved for a mortgage
  • Oversaturation of new construction home

15. How frequently and by which methods do you communicate with your real estate clients?

Clear communication is key to building trust with your client. Intro your buyer or seller to members of your team at the onset of your engagement. When answering this question, first ask your client their preferred method of communication and let your client know how often you’ll be checking in. If your client will have access to an online portal to keep tabs on progress, make sure they have everything they need to get started.

Bottom Line

While every market is different, it’s important to remember that most homeowners base their decision-making on what they gather from the media.

When explaining complicated topics with your clients, it’s always best to rely on visuals, market experts and data to back up your answers.

Or, fill your social media feeds and marketing content with information that tackles these questions before they’re asked.

Remember, an informed buyer or seller is a confident buyer or seller. It’s your job to make sure they’re equipped with the best information so you prove your value and gain their trust.

Staying on top of the latest insights can be easy if you sign up for the KCM Membership. Sign up for a 14-day a free trial today to get the latest insights personalized to you.

Try KCM Free

The Biggest Questions Your Clients Are Asking Today (And How to Answer Them) (2024)

FAQs

How do you answer customers questions? ›

What are the most important things to remember when answering customer service questions?
  1. Listen actively. ...
  2. Be polite and respectful. ...
  3. Provide accurate and relevant information.
  4. Offer solutions and alternatives.
  5. Follow up and follow through.
  6. Learn and improve.
  7. Here's what else to consider.
Dec 8, 2023

What are the most asked questions by customers? ›

The Top 10 Questions Your Customers Ask
  • Risk is a Complex Business. ...
  • Is this product right for me? ...
  • Am I making the right choice? ...
  • Is this ALL I need? ...
  • Can I afford it? ...
  • What if it doesn't work? ...
  • What will my friends, family and peers say? ...
  • Who are these people?
Nov 29, 2017

What do you do when a customer asks a question that you can t answer? ›

Offer to find the answer

When you don't have the answer to part, or all, of a client/potential client question, the best way to handle it is to offer to look up or find out this information. Tell the client you don't know, but you will find out. Try to give them a timeline for when you will have an answer.

What questions will provide you with the most useful information from a potential customer? ›

Here are the top 5 questions you'd ask your customers
  • What can my company do to better serve your needs?
  • How satisfied are you with our products/services?
  • What value do we provide?
  • What are your biggest challenges?
  • Why did you choose us over the competition?

How to respond effectively to customer requests? ›

What are the essential steps to responding to customer inquiries and requests?
  1. Acknowledge the inquiry or request.
  2. Understand the inquiry or request.
  3. Resolve the inquiry or request. ...
  4. Follow up on the inquiry or request. ...
  5. Document the inquiry or request.
  6. Learn from the inquiry or request. ...
  7. Here's what else to consider.
Feb 14, 2024

What are the 4 main customer wants? ›

There are four main customer needs that an entrepreneur or small business must consider. These are price, quality, choice and convenience.

What are the three things every customer wants? ›

The eight commandments Joe pushed into every crevice of the organization supported the following three things that every customer still wants today.
  • Listen. All too often organizations develop products and services, without first considering the wants and needs of customers. ...
  • Deliver. ...
  • Adapt.
Feb 19, 2015

What is a leading question for customers? ›

A leading question example could be: “If you enjoyed using [product name], how likely are you to recommend [product name] to others?” Implying that the user has enjoyed using the product may make it confusing to rate the level of satisfaction.

How do you answer difficult customer service questions? ›

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your response, emphasizing the challenging situation you faced, the actions you took to resolve it, and the positive outcome, such as a satisfied customer or improved customer relationship.

What makes a great customer service? ›

Principles of good customer service. Listening, understanding your customer's needs, thanking the customer and promoting a positive, helpful and friendly environment will ensure they leave with a great impression. A happy customer will return often and is likely to spend more.

How to make a customer feel important? ›

15 Simple Ways To Make Customers Feel Truly Valued
  1. Encourage Customers Along Their Journey. ...
  2. Offer Sincere And Specific Thanks. ...
  3. Let Customers Know That You Hear Them. ...
  4. Reach Out To Customers With No Ulterior Motive. ...
  5. Set Expectations Of A Successful Partnership. ...
  6. Reiterate Customer Concerns.
Feb 14, 2023

What types of questions best help to uncover the customers needs? ›

10 Sales Questions to Quickly Identify Your Customer's Needs
  • What interested you in our product/service?
  • How open is your company to change?
  • What is the biggest barrier preventing you from meeting your goals?
  • What is your strategic direction?
  • What are your short-term and long-term goals?
  • What is your buying criteria?
Mar 16, 2021

How do you answer customer care questions? ›

Tips
  • Prepare for this question by thinking about the last time someone asked you about something you didn't know. ...
  • Write down all the important actions you took to find the solution to the problem. ...
  • Make sure your answer involves how you help the customer even though their question is new to you.
May 15, 2024

How do you handle customers interview question answer? ›

It's important to remain calm, listen actively to their concerns, validate their feelings, and empathize with their situation. Then, address their issues promptly and professionally, offer solutions or alternatives, and follow up to ensure satisfaction.

How to reply to the customer's inquiry? ›

Provide clear and easy-to-understand answers to the customer's questions. Avoid using jargon or technical language that might confuse the customer. Show empathy and understanding in your responses. Acknowledge the customer's concerns and let them know that you are there to help.

How do you solve customer queries? ›

8 steps for handling customer complaints
  1. Listen to the customer. If a customer has complained, it means that they want their unique problem to be heard. ...
  2. Show empathy. ...
  3. Apologize. ...
  4. Ask thorough questions. ...
  5. Loop in necessary parties. ...
  6. Find a swift solution. ...
  7. Follow up. ...
  8. Create a record.

Top Articles
Credit Score Improvement: Top 10 Tips on How to Do It Fast - S'witty Kiwi
If Your Credit Score Is Under 700, Make These 6 Moves ASAP
Pixel Speedrun Unblocked 76
Hannaford Weekly Flyer Manchester Nh
Star Sessions Imx
Lamb Funeral Home Obituaries Columbus Ga
Robinhood Turbotax Discount 2023
Craigslist Pet Phoenix
Gameday Red Sox
Compare the Samsung Galaxy S24 - 256GB - Cobalt Violet vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro - 128GB - Desert Titanium | AT&T
Ohiohealth Esource Employee Login
Pollen Count Los Altos
Chastity Brainwash
سریال رویای شیرین جوانی قسمت 338
Cvb Location Code Lookup
Suffix With Pent Crossword Clue
Bfg Straap Dead Photo Graphic
Craiglist Tulsa Ok
Best Uf Sororities
R Personalfinance
Unforeseen Drama: The Tower of Terror’s Mysterious Closure at Walt Disney World
Tyler Sis University City
Betaalbaar naar The Big Apple: 9 x tips voor New York City
Roane County Arrests Today
Craigslistodessa
Essence Healthcare Otc 2023 Catalog
Cornedbeefapproved
Great ATV Riding Tips for Beginners
Meijer Deli Trays Brochure
Phoenixdabarbie
Generator Supercenter Heartland
APUSH Unit 6 Practice DBQ Prompt Answers & Feedback | AP US History Class Notes | Fiveable
Plato's Closet Mansfield Ohio
Netherforged Lavaproof Boots
Senior Houses For Sale Near Me
Craigslist Ludington Michigan
Final Jeopardy July 25 2023
18 terrible things that happened on Friday the 13th
Lovein Funeral Obits
Newsweek Wordle
Tgirls Philly
How I Passed the AZ-900 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Exam
Brake Pads - The Best Front and Rear Brake Pads for Cars, Trucks & SUVs | AutoZone
Why Are The French So Google Feud Answers
Random Animal Hybrid Generator Wheel
Senior Houses For Sale Near Me
What is 'Breaking Bad' star Aaron Paul's Net Worth?
Pickwick Electric Power Outage
Rétrospective 2023 : une année culturelle de renaissances et de mutations
Nkey rollover - Hitta bästa priset på Prisjakt
Inside the Bestselling Medical Mystery 'Hidden Valley Road'
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Pres. Carey Rath

Last Updated:

Views: 5965

Rating: 4 / 5 (61 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Pres. Carey Rath

Birthday: 1997-03-06

Address: 14955 Ledner Trail, East Rodrickfort, NE 85127-8369

Phone: +18682428114917

Job: National Technology Representative

Hobby: Sand art, Drama, Web surfing, Cycling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Leather crafting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Pres. Carey Rath, I am a faithful, funny, vast, joyous, lively, brave, glamorous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.