1. How long have you been working in real estate?
It’s critical you choose an agent who has experience negotiating on a client’s behalf, who understands the entire process of buying a home, who is confident in representing your best interests, and who has typically seen most situations before. If you’re working with a team, make sure you know who will be showing you homes and who will be negotiating your offer, as well as who will walk you through the escrow process.
2. Do you work full time in real estate?
When you’re looking for a home, you will want a Realtor or Real Estate Team who is on the job full-time. You’ll want someone who is available on your schedule, and who is exposed to potential new properties before they hit the market.
3. Do you specialize in a particular price range?
If you are looking for your first home or you are looking for a luxury property, you want to make sure your agent has a breadth of experience with your preferred price range.
In a competitive market, access and data beyond the typical information from MLS can make all the difference in the world. An agent who can provide you access to homes before others can see it dramatically increases your chances of getting your dream home.
5. Do you specialize in a specific area or neighborhood?
Most agents don't have broad experience in more than a few areas. If you're working with a team and they have decades of experience, chances are they are well-versed in the areas you are looking at, so go ahead and test their knowledge.
6. How quickly can you get me a tour of a home?
In a tight market, speed is essential. It starts with full-time attention to the market opportunities and a diverse set of communication from automated notifications to instant text messaging platforms. Make sure you have a team that gets you in the door first.
Do agents have automated notifications that ensure you see the newest homes that come up in MLS? Are they familiar with 3-D tours that make it easier for you to shop or do they visit the homes and provide you images and videos themselves?
8. How do your Buyers determine where they would like to live if they don’t know?
An experienced agent should have a client onboarding process that helps them tease out the needs of their clients. Their extensive knowledge of the areas should then provide the education you need to discover where you would like to live.
9. How do you communicate with potential Buyers?
An agent should be easily accessible and always keeping you informed. Agents who are easy to get in touch with via phone, text, or email improves the odds for buyers to get the home they want. Ask yourself how quickly the Realtor or Team responds to your inquiries before you begin working with them. If they are not responsive in the beginning, rest assured it will not get any better.
10. What help do you provide during the Inspection or Due Diligence Period?
You want an agent that will be there every step of the way especially after a contract has been accepted. Many things can go sideways, so an agent who shows up at the inspection and is engaged in the due diligence process will increase the likelihood of everything working out.
11. Do you work with First Time Buyers?
If you are a first-time homebuyer, the buying process can be overwhelming. Look for an agent that is both knowledgeable and also enjoys sharing that knowledge with their clients.
Find out MORE about the 10 things our Team does to provide you confidence in buying your home
You’re being redirected to the page with listing data.
