To read this guide in Español, please visit https://exprealty.com/guides/preguntas-que-debes-hacer-antes-de-contratar-a-un-agente-inmobiliario/
Finding your perfect real estate agent can feel a lot like a series of blind dates. Your coworker wants to set you up with their agent, but your mother-in-law has an old college pal that could help you out; it can be exhausting figuring out how to pick the right agent for you. However, we have compiled a list of the top questions to ask a potential real estate agent before hiring them. Bring these questions with you to your introductory meeting or zoom call and you’ll have an excellent idea of who is the right fit for you.
Whether you’re looking for luxury homes for sale in Los Angeles or waterfront condos in Florida, the right agent is sure to help you lock down your dream home!
12 Questions to Ask Before Hiring A Real Estate Agent
1. How Long Have You Been An Agent?
This may seem like an obvious question, but it’s one of the biggest tell-tale signs of how knowledgeable and experienced your potential agent is. You’ll want a real estate professional who is fully aware of the ins and outs of the real estate market in your area and around the country. Look for an agent who is at least a few years into their profession, especially if you are a first-time home buyer.
2. How Well Do You Know the Area?
Imagine you settle down with a real estate agent only to find out that they just moved to the area and aren’t quite sure of the ins and outs of each neighborhood. When hiring a real estate agent you’ll want to make sure they are well-versed in the local market trends, neighborhood demographics, and any recent developments in the area. This will ensure that you get exactly what you’re looking for the first time, rather than a lot of needless back and forth.
3. Is This Your Full-Time or Part-Time Job?
While this may not be a deal breaker, it is important to know how much time and energy your agent will be able to devote to finding your new home. If they are a part-time real estate agent, ask them how much time they anticipate being able to spend on your home buying journey.
4. Do You Work With Both Buyers and Sellers?
Whether you are buying a new home or selling your current one, an agent should be able to help every step of the way. When your real estate agent helps both buyers and sellers, they will not only help you with the task at hand but they will also have insight onto the other side of things. While it’s not a necessity to work with an agent that does both, it certainly will give you an advantage.
5. What Sets You Apart From Other Agents?
A classic interview question, but it’s a classic for a reason. This will give your potential agent a chance to sell themselves and let you know why they are the right person for the job. This can also give you a glimpse of any local awards they have received, statistics, and success stories that they’d like to share.
6. Are You Working Independently or On A Team?
It’s important to know whether or not the person you are speaking with will be your point of contact for the entire process. Part of this conversation includes asking what your agent will personally handle versus what they may pass off to support staff. Independent real estate agents and those on a team are both incredibly valuable in the home buying or selling process, but make sure they are clear on what you’ll expect.
7. How Many Homes Did You Close On In the Past Year?
This is an easy way to gauge how successful your potential real estate agent has been in the past. Typically, a solid agent will have these numbers at the ready, so if they seem to hesitate or stutter a bit on this one it may be a sign that they are trying to make themselves more credible than they are.
8. How Much Do You Charge?
You don’t want to get to the end of a great interview without knowing if this real estate agent is even in your range of affordability. Ask them what their commission rate is and whether or not it can be negotiated. Even if everything else on the call or meeting seems great, if they are out of your price range and can’t negotiate with you, it’s best to move on.
9. Have You Helped Buyers Find Homes in This Price Range?
If you are looking for 3-bedroom homes in a lower price range, you don’t need a real estate agent who specializes in finding luxury homes. To ensure that your potential agent is a great match, ask them how familiar they are with finding homes in your price range. Even if they aren’t a good fit, they are sure to have someone to be able to refer you to!
10. Can You Recommend [fill in the blank]?
An excellent real estate agent will be able to provide you with excellent recommendations. When it comes to the home buying and selling process, you may need to reach out to lawyers, title companies, contractors, and other service providers. The best way to achieve this is by making sure your real estate agent has plenty of contacts that will make this process as painless for you as possible.
11. How Can You Help Me Compete in the Current Market?
As the economy changes, so does the housing market. You are going to want to make sure that your potential agent will effectively help you compete in your local market. Specifically, if you’re buying in the midst of a sellers market, ask the agent how they are going to assist you in beating out other buyers for your dream home. If you are selling in a buyers market, ask how they will give you a leg up on other sellers.
12. How Often Will We Be in Touch Throughout the Process?
This question will give you some insight into how hands-on the real estate agent will be. Different home buyers have different desires, but in most cases, you’ll want your agent to keep you updated every step of the way. Ask them what their typical communication plan looks like when working with buyers and/or sellers, and decide if that process fits your needs.
What To Ask Before Hiring a Real Estate Agent
We hope this article has helped you to prepare for finding your ideal real estate agent. Keep these questions in mind, and you are sure to find an agent that provides you with everything you need and more! Need a place to start looking for agents? Our real estate agent directory is a great spot to look for agents that specialize in first-time home buying, luxury markets, and other niches. Go ahead and pick 3 or 4 to interview, and you’ll have your perfect real estate agent in no time!
