Finding a good agent is crucial to selling your home. Before you sign the listing agreement, you need to get a feel for the quality of an agent.

To do so, ask these questions and discuss the answers.

1. Does the house or any part of the house need painting?
2. Should I reseed the lawn and get my landscaping in top shape?
3. What about the screens and the windows?
4. Does the carpet need cleaning or should it be replaced?
5. Should the pets be under control at all times?
6. Are the appliances something we should include?
7. Should I stay out of a prospective buyer’s way?
8. What would be the buyer’s first impression of the exterior of our house? What can I do to improve it?
9. Would would be the buyer’s first impression as they step inside my house? What can I do to improve it?
10. Since the buyer will be looking in the closets, should I take some of the clothes out to make them look roomier?
11. Should I take items from the kitchen cabinets to make them more spacious?
12. Is there furniture that I should store or dispose of to make the rooms appear larger?
13. Do any cabinets need to be touched up or refinished?
14. Should I give you a list of things that my family likes about the house and the neighborhood?
15. What about the door mats?
16. Should I remove the ornate chandelier that a buyer may want as part of the house?
17. Are the price and terms offered going to appeal to buyers in this price range?
18. Do I need to be aware of other houses similar to mine also being offered for sale?
19. Are the garage and storage areas as clean and neat as they should be?
20. Before spending needless time and money, could I have a list of items to fix in order of importance?

Now you have a good idea how to prepare your home for top dollar and hopefully a better feel for the agent.