1. What are your credentials?

At the least, your agent should have a state license and belong to the local real estate trade association, because this means your agent will have access to the multiple listing service, or MLS, and can list your home far and wide. But you might want to look further and find someone who's a member of the National Association of Realtors®, which requires additional training and adherence to a code of ethics.

2. How many sales did you close last year?

While an agent's past performance doesn’t guarantee a quick sale, a track record of success can at least give you the assurance that this professional knows what they are doing. Also inquire about the price range for the homes the agent has sold, because you ideally want someone who knows what features will be valued by buyers in your income bracket.

3. Do you specialize in this neighborhood?

Having a local expert can be a huge advantage because she'll know about any upcoming developments, plus plans for stores or other amenities that might affect the value of your home. You want to know that your agent understands the market for your neighborhood right now. Your agent needs to be able to not only sell your home, but your neighborhood.

4. How do you arrive at the listing price?

Few things are as important to a seller as the money conversation, and your agent’s ability to land on a listing price that is appropriate for the market. A home that is priced too high will languish, eventually turning off potential buyers; but a home priced too low might leave money on the table. Make sure your agent is knowledgeable about the market and what other similar homes have recently sold for to help you arrive at the right price.

5. Whom will I be working with?

You want to find out if you will be working with one specific real estate agent, a member of the agent’s team or several team members throughout the process. When you work with the River City Living team, you will work with your desired agent from start to finish, so there will be no communication issues and you will never be passed around.

6. How much will selling my home cost?

Know upfront about the costs you’ll be paying such as broker’s commission, closing fees, and anything else so you can plan accordingly—and compare from one agent to the next.

7. What is your sales plan?

An agent should have a written plan that identifies where and how he or she will market your home, from listing services to open houses to social media. Use an agent who has the capability to provide professional photography, a custom website, and even video, if appropriate. Marketing is the key to a successful sale.

8. What should I do to get my house ready?

See what their advice is for necessary repairs or upgrades or what hacks they might suggest for budget-friendly but impactful improvements. Find out if they suggest staging services or just a good cleaning and declutter.

9. How will we communicate?

If you’re a texter and your agent prefers lengthy phone calls, that could be a problem. Likewise, you might prefer the personal touch of a call over an email. Knowing the method and frequency of communication can be important.

10. How long will the process take?

While no agent can guarantee how fast the sale itself will go, they should be able to give a ballpark range on how long it will take to sell your house. The national average is 65 days, but it depends greatly on where you live.