14 questions to ask a real estate agent before hiring:
1. How long have you been an agent?
An agent that’s been in the business for a good amount of time will be able to anticipate problems
before they arise and have tried and tested negotiation techniques. They will also have established
relationships with other real estate professionals. For reference, the median experience of a Realtor is
8 years.
2. How many homes do you help buyers purchase each year?
Real estate agents represent an average of 12 buyers or sellers per year, according to NAR. If your agent
is batting way below that, it could be a red flag.
3. Do you work full time or part time as an agent?
Full-time agents are more likely to be able to devote more time to working for you than someone who is
pursuing real estate on the side. “The first question I would recommend asking is, ‘Are you a full-time
agent or are you a part-time agent?’” says Phoenix-based agent Andrew Monaghan.
4. Do you work with both buyers and sellers?
Many agents work as either buyer specialists or seller specialists. While it’s great to find someone who
specializes, an agent who does both could offer some great insights on either side of the process.
5. How many clients do you have right now?
This is a line to toe carefully. Too many clients may mean your agent doesn’t have time to devote to you;
too few may be a cause for concern.
6. What’s the ratio of buyers to sellers that you represent?
Getting a feel for the ratio of buyers to sellers will give you some indication of your agent’s area of
expertise. If they have a balanced roster of clients, it could mean they are very knowledgeable about
both sides of the process. There isn’t a magic number to look out for. However, Kauffman says it’s more about fit and if you feel
their answer lines up with what you’re looking for.
7. How long do you usually work with buyers, from the first home you see together to the closing table?
Your real estate agent can play a huge role in the length of time it takes to sell your home or find your
next residence. You should be wary if your agent habitually works with clients for six months or longer.
8. Do you have references I can call?
If you hired a new employee, you would probably call their references, right? Be sure you’re vetting your
new agent with the same rigor you would any professional working for you. If they can’t offer you a list
of satisfied clients, be careful. Kauffman says online reviews may be helpful as well and show how an agent works with people. “You
can tell as you read through the reviews if this is a people person and you can tell if it’s going to be a
good fit for you,” she says.
9. Have you helped buyers find homes in these areas?
Your real estate agent should be knowledgeable about the area you’re looking at. Communities differ in
terms of what types of homes buyers want, what types of homes sell, and so on. Make sure your agent
knows the area where you want to buy.
10. Have you helped buyers / sellers at these price ranges?
Price ranges can dramatically alter the way a home is marketed, and can also alter the way agents view
them. You’re less likely to get attention from an agent who specializes in multimillion-dollar listings if
you’re more in the $300,000 range.
11. Will I be working with you individually, or with a team?
If you enter an agent-buyer relationship with the understanding that the agent will be handling you
personally, it can be alarming to be handed off to an assistant. Be clear about who you will primarily be
dealing with, what your agent will handle personally, and what gets delegated to their support staff.
“It’s very important for an agent to have a good support system behind them to make sure that the
buyer is looked after,” explains Monaghan. “Having a good support system sets buyers up to win
because we can really dig in and understand their goals and what’s important to them.”
12. What professional contacts do you have?
Mortgage broker, appraiser, inspector, real estate lawyer, general contractor, moving companies, and
anything else you can think of involving homes should all be things your agent can recommend. Your
agent’s network may be just as important as their team.
13. How does your commission work?
As with any financial transaction, get a good understanding of how your agent is compensated before
entering into a relationship with them. Most agents follow a real estate agent commission structure.
Typically, buyers do not pay agent commission fees. Fees are paid by the seller to their broker, and then
the commission is split with the buyer’s agent. The percentage varies by agent and market, but is usually
around 5-6% for both the buyer’s agent and seller’s agent commission.
14. How do you help buyers compete in this market?
If you’re looking to buy in a competitive market, breaking through the competition is essential. Ask your
prospective agent how they’re going to help you stand out in a potential sea of offers.