Real estate transactions have a lot of money on the line. Whether buying or selling a home, you’ll want a competent realtor by your side, working to get you the best deal possible. There are a lot of realtors out there, and it can feel overwhelming to know who’s the right realtor for you. To help you sort through it all, we’ve gathered our top ten expert-backed questions to ask a realtor before hiring them and get an edge in today’s competitive market.
Are you a full or part time agent?
There are a lot of realtors out there who only work part time. You want a realtor that works full time and is available for showings, phone calls and fielding offers, so make sure to inquire. “If they say, ‘I do this on my evenings or weekends,’ run,” Korosec says. “Agent availability during the week matters. If a house hits the market at 10 am and gets an offer by 2 pm, you do not have time to wait until the weekend for your agent to respond.”
Will I work with you or members of your team?
Big real estate teams can be great for availability and efficiency, but make sure you are clear about who you’ll be working with. “You don’t want a senior agent selling you on services and then a junior agent actually doing the work,” Leland says. He recommends directly asking if they will be the one at the open house, inspection and the one writing offers. If this person is who you want to work with, then make sure that’s who you’ll actually get.
What is your fee structure and is it flexible?
Traditionally, realtors earn a five to six per cent commission on the sale of a property, which is split between the buyer’s and seller’s agents, but these rates have become more negotiable since 2024. How much your agent expects to earn should be discussed at the first meeting to avoid any surprises at closing. If they really want the sale, some agents may lower their commission rate to stay competitive, but have this settled and in writing before proceeding. “A person who refuses to talk about percentages or refuses to write down commission on paper is a red flag,” Rhodes says.
How long have you lived and worked in this market?
Deep market knowledge and community connections are valuable assets in a realtor. Where a newcomer to a city might rely on online tools to gauge the market, an experienced local can be more precise. “Someone who’s focused on your city’s main sales neighborhood for seven plus years probably knows which cul de sacs flood, which school districts are redrawing boundaries and which HOAs have lump-sum assessments coming due,” Korosec says. “This intel is real talk not found on Zillow.”
Do you have a team of vendors?
“A strong vendor network is one of the biggest perks an experienced agent can offer,” Leland says. “If an agent says ‘just Google it’ when you need a plumber before closing, they are not doing a great job.” A good realtor should have a list of vendors that include roofers, carpenters, handymen, plumbers, electricians and junk removal companies. An agent with longstanding vendor relationships can call in a favor and get things done in a timely manner if needed.
What’s your marketing strategy?
Some realtors are better at marketing than others and this can be the difference between your house sitting on the market or receiving multiple offers. “A good agent should be able to describe exactly how they plan to make your home stand out online,” Leland says. “Ask to see examples of their past listings and have them sell you on their strategy. If they can’t sell their marketing they shouldn’t sell your house.” A strong marketing strategy should involve professional photos, open houses, optimized MLS listings and staging if needed.
What’s your take on the current market?
Successful realtors know the market and follow it very closely. They should be able to talk to you in hard numbers about inventory turnover, how long homes are sitting on the market and whether they’re selling for over or under asking price. These details are highly market specific and can change frequently, so only those who are deeply entrenched in the market will have this information. Watch out for “only positive statements like ‘It’s a great time to buy or sell a home!’ because it’s only a phrase used to sell a deal and not an analysis of the market,” Rhodes says.
What’s your strategy to deal with multiple offers?
Receiving multiple offers is ideal for sellers but can be very stressful for buyers. For sellers, a good agent should have a clear pricing strategy and be able to show you recent comparables to justify the number. Additionally, they should have a plan for open houses, an offer deadline and a method to move quickly to an accepted offer. As a buyer, an agent’s strategy and expertise can help you win a bidding war. “Learn how the agent manages escalation clauses, provides clean terms of the offer and covers possible appraisal gap issues,” Rhodes says.
Will you represent both buyer and seller?
While this is legal in many states, it does represent a serious conflict of interest. “Buyers want to spend as little as possible and sellers want to earn as much as possible,” McGee says. “How can an agent negotiate honestly for both sides in a transaction when they have conflicting goals?” If a realtor says they will represent both sides if approached, then consider walking away and finding an agent who will only represent your interests in the transaction.
Can I see examples of your past or current listings online?
This is a great way to really get a feel for how a realtor operates. “How an agent presents other people’s homes tells you a lot about how they will present yours,” Leland says. Do their other listings look professional and present the property in a positive light? Is the write-up pretty standard or does it stand out for its expressive and descriptive language? Are there lots of photos or just a few? These are all important parts of a potential buyers’ first impression of your home, so make sure it’s a good one.
FAQ
Do I need a realtor to buy a home?
No, you do not need a realtor to buy a home.
What’s the difference between a realtor and a real estate agent?
“Every Realtor is a licensed agent, but not every agent is a Realtor,” Leland says. “The difference is National Association of Realtors membership, which adds a code of ethics and ongoing education.”
How do I know if a realtor is actually licensed?
Every state provides a realtor license database to check that a realtor’s license is active and if there are any disciplinary records.
About the Experts
- Blaz Korosec is cofounder and CFO at Investorade, a Dallas-based real estate investment company that buys homes, RV parks, campgrounds, land, and other properties directly from owners, often with cash offers and as-is sales. He has over twelve years of real estate and finance experience.
- Sain Rhodes is the director of operations and business development at Clever Offers, a real estate platform that helps homeowners find cash buyers and qualified agents.
- Erik Leland is a real estate broker with Realty First in Lake Oswego, Oregon.
- Cari McGee is a managing broker and Realtor with over 650 residential sale. She’s ranked among the top 1 per cent of agents in the U.S.
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