Questions You Should Ask Before Hiring a Real Estate Agent

Buying or selling a house has ramifications that can last for years to come. Hiring the right real estate agent who brings experience, professionalism, and expertise to the table will make a huge difference. According to our internal data at HomeLight, the top 5% of real estate agents across the U.S. sell homes for as much as 10% more than the average real estate agent and twice as fast.

Depending on the information that your real estate agent gives you, a great agent can bring your search time for a home way down or help you maximize the value you can sell for. Choosing the right agent is a critical step to ensuring your success. You might be wondering, what are the best questions to ask a real estate agent before hiring them?

This guide will help. We’ve compiled 25 of the best questions to ask a real estate, with insight from real estate professionals, to give you an idea of what to look for when deciding to hire one.

What does a real estate agent actually do?

First, let’s review what a real estate agent brings to the table. After all, in today’s information age, a new home might feel like it’s just a click away and easily accessible without the help of an agent. Or, you might consider posting your house online and selling a house by owner.

However, real estate agents are essential advocates. They will be experts in your existing or target neighborhood, help you find the perfect home, suggest light-lift upgrades to maximize value, and provide information you can’t find anywhere else thanks to resources like the multiple listing service (MLS) database they have behind the scenes.

They will also walk you through the transaction process, supporting you as you complete your offer and making sure your contract includes all the right clauses to protect you. Without an agent, you may be faced with doing all the paperwork and legwork yourself, which could cost you money or otherwise create unnecessary obstacles.

According to top Florida real estate agent Cynthia Kauffman, an agent’s No. 1 priority is making a home purchase as simple and easy as possible since a home is a big investment that often comes with a lot of pressure.

“Real estate agents just try to take the stress off, whether it’s for the buyer or the seller,” Kauffman says. “We want to take that off of them and make it as smooth as possible.”

14 questions to ask a real estate agent before hiring

1. How long have you been an agent?

An agent who’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.

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 the National Association of Realtors (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.

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 it. 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.