I hear you want to sell your home! Who are you going to hire to be your CEO of your home sale? Is it your cousin? Is it a friend of a friend? Did you call one of those national brokerages and just get assigned to someone?

Of course, all of those options are viable options, but are they the right option for you, your family and your home?

You: But wait, Anna, why'd you call my real estate agent a CEO?

Me: Because selling your home is a business. There's a team involved - consisting of both internal team members and external team members, there's a budget, there are vendors that will need to be called upon and there is a timeline. It's your CEOs responsibility to manage this business.

You: When you put it like that, it sounds like I should take not hastily choose someone to sell my home. That I should conduct interviews, collect references and referrals.

Me: Exactly! You wouldn't have just anyone run your business, would you?

So I got to thinking... what are some good questions people should ask of their real estate agent. Here's a list of questions I think you should ask your CEO candidates.

• What is your background? Do you have referrals or references I can call? Seems simple enough, right? Truthfully, so few people take the time to understand their agent as a business professional. They should come armed with the ability to speak of past clients, past transactions and have a list of folks who'd speak their praises. Ask for former clients, former co-brokes, current clients, etc. The more you know about your agent, the more suited you are to select your all-star CEO.

• What are the comps right now? This shows you what you, as the seller, what you can expect for a resale. I like to provide my clients with a high end and a low end. I aim to set realistic expectations for the list price, the purchase price, and the work that may need to be completed by the sellers prior to close. Reasonable expectations are crucial - sure you'll always think your house is worth more than it is - it's your agent's job to be realistic with you on what it can sell for. No one, you, your agent or any buyer wants your home sitting on the market longer than it needs. Comps are dynamic and should be evaluated regularly and often -- not just before listing, but also while the listing is active.

• How are you planning to market this property? The professional real estate agent you select to list your home should be able to quickly and easily answer this question. Sure, they'll put it on MLS for you...but is that all you need? Most likely not. Will they be doing direct mailers, will they be targeting buyers through social media, will they be holding open houses? Understand what their general marketing plan is - if they don't have one, run. Selling a home is more about making a listing live in MLS and putting a sign in the yard. If you have ideas on how to market your home, they should be voiced - you more than anyone know exactly who your home is perfect for!

• Will you be giving us feedback along the way? If so, what types? The agent you team up with to sell your home should be actively reaching out agents who show your home asking what feedback they or their clients have. They should be providing you with real time feedback from open houses. In addition, I provide my clients with weekly statistic updates - how many times has this listing come up in a search, what is the click-thru rate, how many times has the home been shown... if the statistics are less than stellar, I suggest we examine feedback and pricing. Because the point in selling the home is... selling it.

• The real estate purchase contract is written to protect buyers. As a seller you should be asking how your agent will be protecting you throughout the process. This seems like a no brainer, but it's not. How do they vet potential buyers who've written offers? How do they make sure the buyer isn't backing out weeks into the transaction? As a seller's agent, I've received push back from buyer's agents when I include clauses which are crafted to protect my clients. No one wants to see a deal fall through - NO ONE. Let's be clear on expectations up-front so we can all be on the same page and see it through to closing, right?

• How much cash on hand do you think we need to complete necessary repairs? There are items which a seller is obligated to keep in working order leading up to the close of escrow. A good seller's agent will make you aware of what kind of repairs may come back on the inspection report and prepare you for the repairs you might be responsible for. That pool pump not working? Dishwasher on the fritz? Lock won't turn over on the door to the patio? Those are all things you, as the seller, are responsible for keeping in good working order

Please remember, that you've chosen your agent to be a part of your team in this process. As the captain of that team, you need to be sure your asset and your business is protected. If you don't believe that the agent you've selected is performing, have a conversation with them, voice your concern and lay down expectations - they are working for you, after all. And if they aren't working for you, seek out someone who will.

Note: If you're looking for a CEO - I'm ready to be one of your candidates!

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