3 Best Questions to Ask a Real Estate Agent

What do you do?

As a Real Estate broker & active agent, I have to tell you there’s so much that goes into this “job”. Not only do I consult with people one of the most expensive transactions in their life but I am also their therapist. Yeah, a therapist. It’s true.

Haven’t you heard that buying or selling a home is an emotional process? It’s always a ride & a wild one if you hire the wrong agent.

So how can you tell if you’re dealing with the wrong agent? It’s easy… if you know what questions to ask. It’s so important have a detailed conversation.

Here are the three best questions & topics to ask a Real Estate agent before hiring them for the job of representing you in the sale or purchase of a home.

When was the last time you sold a home?

A full time Real Estate agent has sold at least one home within the last 30-90 days. If it has been longer than four months since their last sale, you should be concerned. The market trends change so often, usually every quarter, that it’s crucial to hire someone who’s got a pulse on what’s happening in the current market. Not last year. Not six months ago. Right now. In fact, just this year alone we’ve experienced some changes in the market which is no surprise because change is inevitable in all economic conditions.

So please, seek advice from an active real estate professional not a friend of a friend who has their real estate license.

Why do you choose to work in this area?

This isn’t a question that comes up often but it’s another great way to stir up some conversation. This question will give you insight to their expertise of the area. A passionate & well informed agent can explain why they recommend certain cities & neighborhoods. All too often I hear of agents that work all of San Diego. Really? It’s not really possible that an agent can know the in’s & out’s of the entire county?!? I’m a San Diego native & I don’t know all aspects of the entire county. Sure, I know where cities exist on the map & what freeway to take but I don’t know every single neighborhood within each city of San Diego. That’s why I work closely with professional agents who are experts in their area.
Now, if you ask me about North County. I know this “hood like the back of my hand. I can tell you what side streets to take to avoid rush hour traffic, the best places to eat, fun things to do for a date night & awesome trails to hike. Sure there’s Google & Yelp but a vetted perspective is invaluable.

Tell me about a client you’ve helped recently. Did they sell/buy? Was it a distressed or traditional sale?  What was involved? What was the outcome?

This conversation will tell you so much about the agent. Sure some people could BS the heck out of you but in all reality this type of question will elicit more than just a response. It will help you determine the agent’s communication style & how well they can articulate their experience. I have so many stories that I usually share multiple examples whenever this question comes up.

For instance, I represented clients who are bought a lovely home on two acres in Escondido. We’d completed a series of inspections from the general home inspection to a roof inspection to having contractors give bids on potential work for the soon to be owners to consider in the near future. One of my biggest challenges in the transaction was the listing agent. Not only had he failed to provide all of the disclosures within the contractually obligated time frames but he also had no idea how to facilitate a transaction. To make certain that all is being done according to plan & in the best interests of my clients, I picked up the pieces this agent had left behind. From following up with the termite & septic inspectors to providing updated forms for his sellers to fill out because the forms he used were outdated (circa 1980). To top it all off, I was answering all of his questions about what’s required of him in a real estate transaction & he was the broker. Really? I couldn’t make this stuff up!

I wonder if those sellers ever thought to ask these questions of their agent. I guarantee if they had they wouldn’t have taken a bath on the sale of their home.

Lesson learned, tough stuff.

Please do yourself a favor & have a conversation with the agent you choose to represent you. When you pick the right agent, you won’t be scratching your heads saying, what do you do?

—– Have real estate questions? Let’s chat. Just call or text (760)814-1850 for a confidential conversation.