15 Questions Every Seller Should Ask Before Choosing a Realtor 

A Guide to Selling Your Home with Confidence in Chester County, Delaware County, Lancaster County, New Castle County & Cecil County

Selling your home is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make. While many homeowners spend time preparing their property for the market, far fewer spend enough time choosing the right REALTOR®.

The truth is, the agent you choose can have a significant impact on your home's selling price, the amount of stress you experience, and ultimately whether your move is a success.

At The John Kriza Real Estate Team, we believe every seller deserves an experienced advisor who puts their goals first—not just another salesperson. Before hiring any real estate professional, ask yourself these 15 important questions. They can help you determine whether you've found the right partner for your journey.

Why Choosing the Right REALTOR® Matters

A successful home sale involves far more than placing a sign in the yard.

The best agents provide guidance through every phase of the process—from preparing your home to negotiating the strongest possible offer and ensuring everything reaches settlement smoothly.

The selling process can generally be broken into five key stages:

• Counseling
• Preparation
• Marketing
• Negotiation
• Finishing the Transaction

Here's what you should be asking during each stage.

1. Counseling Stage

Before your home even hits the market, your REALTOR® should be helping you develop a customized strategy.

Ask yourself:

• Does this agent demonstrate a high level of expertise and understanding? (market, pricing, industry, etc.)
• Does the advice they are giving match my goals and needs?
• Do I feel confident that they can execute on the game plan we craft together?

A knowledgeable REALTOR® should educate you—not pressure you—and help you make informed decisions based on your unique circumstances.

2. Preparation Stage

First impressions matter.

Preparing a home properly before it goes live can often lead to stronger offers and fewer days on the market.

Consider these questions:

• Does the agent have a well thought out logistical timeline from first meeting to first day of showings?
• Do I trust their opinions on what I need to do to prepare my home for sale?
• Are they willing and able to help me facilitate any work or staging that is needed to prepare my home for sale?

Preparation isn't simply about cleaning a house—it's about positioning your property to maximize buyer interest.

3. Marketing Stage

Today's buyers begin their search online long before they schedule a showing.

Marketing has become much more than MLS exposure.

Ask:

• Does the agent have a proven track record for selling homes like mine?
• Can the agent document specific cases of generating tremendous interest in a property?
• Is there a specific or underlying strategy behind the marketing plan?

Effective marketing should include professional photography, compelling property descriptions, digital advertising, social media exposure, email campaigns, local market expertise, and a strategy tailored specifically to your home.

4. Negotiating Stage

Receiving an offer is only the beginning.

Strong negotiation often determines how much money stays in your pocket.

Ask yourself:

• Do I feel my agent will always put my needs before theirs?
• Do I feel that my agent will be firm in defending my home's value and believes in what we have?
• Has the agent demonstrated specific examples or stories of selling homes for a strong price in the current market?

An experienced negotiator protects your interests throughout inspections, appraisals, repair requests, and final contract negotiations.

5. Finishing Stage

Many transactions encounter unexpected challenges after the contract is signed.

The right REALTOR® continues working until settlement is complete.

Ask:

• Does the agent have the expertise to handle any issues or conflicts that may arise between contract date and settlement date?
• Do I feel the agent is available, organized and pays attention to detail?
• Do I believe the agent will demonstrate a commitment to go above and beyond to bring the sale to the finish line for me and my family?

Having an experienced professional managing deadlines, communication, inspections, financing, and settlement details can make all the difference.

What Sellers Should Ultimately Look For

The best REALTOR® isn't necessarily the one with the biggest advertising budget.

Instead, look for someone who provides:

• Proven local market knowledge
• Clear communication
• Honest advice
• Strategic marketing
• Strong negotiation skills
• Attention to detail
• A commitment to putting your goals first

These qualities help create a smoother experience and often lead to better financial outcomes.

Our Commitment to Every Seller

"We look forward to helping you achieve your goals by utilizing our strong, local market knowledge, decades of experience, and excellent communication skills! We're here to serve you!"

-John Kriza

At The John Kriza Real Estate Team, our mission has always been simple:

Building Relationships One Home at a Time.

Whether you're selling your first home, downsizing, relocating, or moving into your dream home, our goal is to provide exceptional service from your first consultation through settlement day.

If you're thinking about selling in Chester County, Delaware County, Lancaster County, New Castle County, or Cecil County, we'd love the opportunity to answer your questions and help you create a personalized plan for success.

What Our Clients Are Saying

Throughout the entire process of selling our home the John Kriza Real Estate Team services were flawless. Starting with prepping our home, staging, showings, negotiations, inspections and finally closing! Everything went seamlessly and we couldn’t be happier. They offer a very personalized service with attention to detail and a they were very responsive to our questions and concerns. I would recommend them to anyone looking to buy or sell real estate in the Chester county area!

-Rick, Kennett Square

John was great! He kept us informed throughout the process. He gave us great advice on preparing the house to go on the market. The whole process was seamless! He was professional, friendly, and honest. He gave us great advice on preparing our house “to sell”. He listened to our concerns and answered all our questions. He priced it right, and it sold quickly! John gets 5 ️’s!!!

-John and Carol, Landenberg