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10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Agent in Arizona

An agent can cost or save you thousands of dollars

Picking an agent is one of those critical issues that can cost or save you thousands of dollars. There are very specific questions you should be asking to ensure that you get the best representation for your needs. Some agents may prefer that you don’t ask these questions, because the knowledge you’ll gain from their honest answers will give you a very good idea about what outcome you can expect from using their services. And let’s face it - in real estate, as in life, not all things are created equal. Hiring a real estate agent is just like any hiring process - with you on the boss’s side of the desk. It’s critical that you make the right decision about who will handle what is probably the single largest financial investment you will ever make.


“It’s critical that you make the right decision about who will handle what is probably the single largest financial investment you will ever make.”


10 Things You Need to Know Before You Hire an Agent

Not all real estate agents are the same. If you decide to seek the help of an agent when selling or buying your home, you need some good information before you make any moves.

  1. What makes you different? Why should I list my home with you? No matter where you live you will have options when hiring an agent. So, what unique marketing plans and programs does this agent have in place to make sure that your home stands out favorably versus other competing homes? What things does this agent offer you that others don’t to help you sell your home in the least amount of time with the least amount of hassle and for the most amount of money?

  2. What is your company’s track record and reputation in the market place? It may seem like everywhere you look, real estate agents are boasting about being #1 for this or that or quoting you the number of homes they’ve sold. If you’re like many homeowners, you’ve probably become immune to much of this information. After all, you ask, “Why should I care about how many homes one agent sold over another? The only thing I care about is whether they can sell my home quickly for the most amount of money.” Well, because you want your home sold fast and for top dollar, you should be asking the agents you interview how many homes they have sold. I’m sure you will agree that success in real estate is selling homes. If one agent is selling a lot of homes where another is selling only a handful, ask yourself why this might be? What things are these two agents doing differently? You may be surprised to know that many agents sell fewer than 10 homes a year. This volume makes it difficult for them to do full impact marketing on your home, because they can’t raise the money it takes to afford the advertising and special programs to give your home a high profile. Also, at this low level they probably can’t afford to hire an assistant, meaning they're running around trying to do all the components of the job themselves. Bottom line - their service to you may suffer.

  3. What are your marketing plans for my home? How much money does this agent spend in advertising the homes s/he lists versus the other agents you are interviewing? In what media (newspaper, magazine, TV etc.) does this agent advertise? What does s/he know about the effectiveness of one medium over the other?

  4. What has your company sold in my area? Agents should bring you a complete listing of both their own and other comparable sales in your area.

  5. Does your Broker control your advertising or do you? If your agent is not in control of their own advertising, then your home will be competing for advertising space not only with this agent’s other listings but also with the listings of every other agent in the brokerage.

  6. On average, when your listings sell, how close is the selling price to the asking price? This information is available from the Real Estate Board. Is this agent’s performance higher or lower than the board average? Their performance on this measurement will help you predict how high a price you will get for the sale of your home.

  7. On average, how long does it take for your listings to sell? This information is also available from the Real Estate Board. Does this agent tend to sell faster or slower than the board average? Their performance on this measurement will help you predict how long your home will be on the market before it sells.

  8. How many Buyers are you currently working with? Obviously, the more buyers your agent is working with, the better your chances are of selling your home quickly. It will also impact price because an agent with many buyers can set up an auction-like atmosphere where many buyers bid on your home at the same time. Ask them to describe the system they have for attracting buyers.

  9. Do you have a reference list of clients I could contact? Ask to see this list and then proceed to spot check some of the names.

  10. What happens if I’m not happy with the job you are doing to get my home sold? Can I cancel my listing contract? Be wary of agents that lock you into a lengthy listing contract which they can get out of (by ceasing to effectively market your home) but you can’t. There are usually penalties and broker protection periods which safeguard the agent’s interests, but not yours. How confident is your agent in the service s/he will provide you? Will s/he allow you to cancel your contract without penalty if you’re not satisfied with the service provided? Evaluate each agent’s responses to these 10 questions carefully and objectively. Who will do the best job for you? These questions will help you decide.

$499,900
5 Beds 3 Baths 7079210 MLS 2,546 SqFt.
**Impeccably Maintained Home Adjacent to Canyon Springs STEM Academy** Discover an impeccably clean home that offers ample space for everyone, nestled alongside Canyon Springs STEM Academy, ensuring incredible privacy and breathtaking sunset views. This bright and airy floor plan features a convenient bedroom and bathroom on the main floor, perfect for multi-generational living. The main level boasts a spacious oversized living area, ideal for accommodating a large sectional and that coveted giant TV you've been wanting, plus plenty of room for a formal dining area. The kitchen is a chef's dream, showcasing beautifully remodeled corian countertops, a stylish stacked glass tile backsplash, an easy-to-clean electric cooktop, and a stainless steel appliances. Enjoy the convenience of a breakfast bar, a generous pantry, and a cozy breakfast nook that flows seamlessly into an inviting den--perfect for relaxed Saturday mornings. Upstairs, you'll find four additional large bedrooms, including an oversized primary suite that offers an en-suite bathroom with spacious countertops, double sinks, a separate shower, a soaking tub, and a large walk-in closet. The primary suite also features a charming nook, perfect for a personal library, nursery, or potential office space. The backyard boasts a covered patio area with an enormous patio extension for easy maintenance and outdoor functionality. The fire pit serves as a gathering space for neighborhood cookouts and s'mores dates. Benefit from the low Anthem Parkside HOA dues while indulging in outstanding amenities, including a picturesque 16-acre park with a catch-and-release lake, a sprawling playground, extensive walking paths, and a community center equipped with a state-of-the-art fitness facility, indoor basketball courts, a large lap pool, exhilarating water slides, tennis courts, pickleball, bocce ball, and one of Arizona's largest skate parks. This home is close to shopping, schools, and fabulous dining! It's time to love where you live. This is the home you've been waiting for!

42912 N 43rd Drive, New River

$398,500
2 Beds 2 Baths 7079190 MLS 1,472 SqFt.
Welcome to this beautifully updated and spacious Mariposa model, featuring a desirable open floor plan with split bedrooms for added privacy. Gorgeous tile flooring flows throughout the home, complemented by large windows that fill the space with natural light and a neutral color palette that is both inviting and versatile. The well-appointed kitchen features maple cabinetry with crown molding, granite countertops, a stylish backsplash, stainless steel appliances, and a convenient pantry. The spacious primary suite offers a charming bay window and a beautifully updated en-suite bath with dual sinks, a glass step-in shower, and a generous walk-in closet. Step outside to enjoy the low-maintenance backyard, complete with a large covered patio and attractive paver accents--perfect for relaxing or entertaining. Added bonus, new roof underlayment 12/2025 with a 30 year guarantee. Located in The Grand, a 45+ resort-style active adult community offering an exceptional array of amenities, including four golf courses, pickleball, bocce ball, three pools including an indoor lap pool, a two-story fitness center, a 1/4-mile padded walking path, numerous clubs and activities, and miles of scenic walking paths. The HOA also maintains exterior landscaping and provides pest control, making low-maintenance living even easier. For a guest packet and additional community information, visit the clubhouse at 19726 N Remington, Surprise, AZ.

16118 W Starlight Drive, Surprise

$825,000
4 Beds 2 Baths 7079186 MLS 2,294 SqFt.
NEW INTERIOR PAINT, an entire KITCHEN REMODEL with sleek QUARTZ COUNTERS, clean-lined shaker cabinets, a modern tile backsplash, and stainless appliances. You'll also find NEW BATHROOMS completed in 2023 with the homeowner suite offering a custom WALK IN SHOWER with floor-to-ceiling tile work, soap inlet and DUAL SINKS. All this while also providing PRIVATE ACCESS TO THE BACKYARD great for a night cap by the pool without disturbing the rest of the house. The bold accent walls and playful tropical touches paired with the ICONIC ARCH EXTERIOR ARCHITECTURE, wood burning brick fireplace and SOARING VAULTED CEILINGS give the home personality you won't find in a cookie-cutter build. Step outside and the value keeps stacking up with TWO COVERED PATIOS and a GAZEBO for year round outdoor living. Admire your SPARKLING PRIVATE POOL framed by Mountain preserve views, then work on your short game on the 6-HOLE PUTTING GREEN, freshly finished with NEW TURF AND CURBING in 2024. Additional turf space to enjoy and gather under the GAZEBO LOUNGE while soaking up the sunset skies! With NEW PALMS AND SUCCULENTS IN 2024 and a NEW DRIP IRRIGATION INSTALLED for convenience, this presents a perfect garden opportunity in the ELEVATED GARDEN BEDS. Don't miss the ideal RV PARKING, BOAT PARKING OR TRAILER PARKING for the toys! And the STORAGE ROOM off the 2 CAR GARAGE! No HOA allows the flexibility we all love, yet the community is mature, well maintained and the sidewalks throughout make for lovely walks in the neighborhood while soaking up those MOUNTAIN VIEWS! Even walk directly from your door to HIKE THE PHOENIX MOUNTAIN PRESERVE! It's a rare combination: a home that's move-in ready today and built to perform as a vacation retreat or short-term rental tomorrow. Add in a LOCATION, just MINUTES from hiking trails, Top Golf courses, Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, and a lineup of Local Restaurant favorites, plus QUICK FREEWAY ACCESS putting Sky Harbor just 20 minutes away, and this one checks every box!

2331 E Sunnyside Drive, Phoenix

$1,350,000
4 Beds 6 Baths 7079171 MLS 2,784 SqFt.
Step into elevated Desert Hills living on this gated, 1+ acre estate where privacy, space, and refined design come together in a rare no-HOA setting. Wide-open Arizona views greet you immediately, setting the tone for a residence that feels like a private retreat in the Sonoran Desert. This semi-custom home offers the upgrades and scale today's buyers seek -- from its oversized 4-car garage and covered RV capacity to its heated pool and spa designed for year-round enjoyment. Beyond the remote-controlled entrance, the property unfolds with a sense of sophistication and openness. Thoughtfully oriented on a north-south axis, the home captures mountain outlines, soft morning light, and vivid desert sunsets, creating a backdrop that enhances both everyday living and outdoor entertaining. Inside, the gourmet kitchen serves as the centerpiece of the home, granite surfaces, a substantial island, and extensive cabinetry. The kitchen opens seamlessly to the great room and casual dining area, creating a welcoming environment for everyday living and entertaining. A separate formal dining room adds versatility and can be tailored as an office, den, or media lounge. The primary suite offers a serene retreat with a coffered ceiling, space for a sitting area, and direct access to the patio and pool. The spa-inspired bath features dual sinks, granite counters, a soaking tub, a walk-in shower, and an expansive closet. Three additional bedrooms are thoughtfully placed on the opposite wing of the home for enhanced privacy. The estate's outdoor amenities elevate the experience: an oversized 4-car garage measuring 40' x 26' with extra height, epoxied floors, and built-in cabinetry; a 50-amp RV outlet; and a new 10' x 10' TuffShed. The heated pool with water feature and elevated spa is complemented by a phone-controlled automation system. A full-property landscape drip system ensures effortless care in this completely enclosed block walled yard. For those who value recreation and open space, more than 700 acres of untouched State Trust Land lie directly across the street, offering immediate access to hiking, biking, horseback riding, and off-road exploration. Cave Creek Regional Park and the Desert Hills Trailhead are just minutes away, with Lake Pleasant and Bartlett Lake within easy reach. This Desert Hills property offers a rare combination of land, luxury, freedom and lifestyle -- an exceptional opportunity for buyers seeking space, privacy, and elevated living in one of the Valley's most desirable rural-residential communities. Book a tour today, this home is impeccable and you'll fall in love at first site. Select furnishings, artwork, and two Harley-Davidsons may be available for purchase outside of escrow through a private bill of sale. No personal property is included in the sale of the home.

36312 N 16th Street, Phoenix

$425,000
4 Beds 3 Baths 7079111 MLS 1,978 SqFt.
Welcome to this stunning, bright, spacious and like-new - Taylor Morrison Home! This gorgeous property is in the well-known community of COMBS RANCH! This spectacular household is situated in a cute cul-de-sac and boasts one of the biggest backyards in the neighborhood. This home is sure to impress with one of the most desirable floor plans equipped with 4 Bedrooms | Bonus Room | 2.5 Bathrooms and Great Room. The sellers spared no expense designing the interior and exterior. We know you will love the tile throughout - yep, no carpet! The fixtures, fans, counter tops and cabinetry are beautiful! The backyard has turf, pavers, fire pit, dog run and so much more. Do not wait or hesitate for a new build, the time and expenses can be overwhelming. This property is priced to sell and requires no work - it's ready for the new owner to unpack and enjoy! Combs Ranch offers a sparkling community pool, parks, tot-lots, basketball courts, ramadas, trails, greenbelts and mountain views. The location of this community is right down the street from the Queen Creek Olive Mill and Schnepf Farms. A little further east is Pecan Lake Entertainment and QC District. You will have endless options for shopping, dining and entertainment. Last but not least, there are many options for schools, gyms, golf courses, medical facilities and churches. Please do your research, check the facts and schedule your private showing today!

37646 N Bridlewood Lane, San Tan Valley

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