Questions to Ask When Choosing a Real Estate Agent

10 questions to help you find the real estate pro who’s right for you

How long have you been in residential real estate sales? Is it your full-time job?

As in most professions, experience is no guarantee of skill. But much of what makes for a skilled real estate agent is learned on the job.

How many homes did you and your real estate brokerage sell last year?

This will indicate on how much experience they have and how up-to-date they are on the local market.

What designations or certifications do you hold?

Real estate professionals must pass an agent or broker licensing exam before they can work with clients, and in most states they’re required to take continuing education. Many take it further by obtaining designations or certifications. This training helps them gain specialized knowledge and skills that apply to a particular real estate need—from selling resort or second home properties to working with seniors. One designation sellers might for is the CRS®, or Certified Residential Specialist, but there are also specialists for military customers, seniors, and those who are considering a short sale, among others.

How many days does it take you to sell a home? How does that compare to others?

The REALTOR® you interview should have information about their performance on hand and be able to present market statistics from their local MLS to provide a comparison.

What’s the average variation between your initial listing and final sales price?

This is one indication of a REALTOR®’s pricing and negotiating skills.

What specific marketing systems and approaches will you use to sell my home?

Your agent should have an aggressive, innovative plan and understand how to market property online.

Will you represent me exclusively, or might you also choose to represent the buyer?

While it’s usually legal to represent both parties in a transaction, your REALTOR® should be able to explain his or her philosophy on client obligations and agency relationships. 

Can you recommend service providers who can help me obtain a mortgage, make home repairs, and so on?

Practitioners should be able to recommend more than one provider and let you know if they have any special relationship with any of the providers.

How will you keep me informed about the progress of my transaction?

The best answer here is a question. A real estate agent who pays attention to the way you prefer to communicate and responds accordingly will make for the smoothest transaction.

Could you please give me the contact information of your three most recent clients?

Ask their former customers if they would use the agent again in the future.