What Questions Should You Ask?
Agent Interview Checklist:
Interviewing an agent can be a lot like a first date. Buying a home is usually the single largest financial transaction of a person’s life, and you want to have a good relationship with the person who will guide you through it.
A “Home” vs. A “Deal:”
Something to keep in mind is that while to you, it is a “home,” a place potentially filled with emotions and meaning; to the agent, it is a deal.
Nearly all agents enjoy their work of bringing buyers and sellers together, but you shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that the best agents sell 10 or more homes per year and while you will live in that home for years, next month the agent will be dating a new client.
So before you sign up with one, here is a list of questions to ask to make sure you are a good match:
Experience and Background:
- How long have you been an agent?
- How long have you lived in this area?
- How long have you sold homes in this neighborhood?
- How many home sales/purchases have you handled in the past year?
- What types of properties do you specialize in?
- Condos, single family homes, multiple unit properties, investment properties?
- Price ranges?
- Neighborhoods?
- Have you handled purchases like ours (similar financing, etc.) in the recent past? How many?
Communication/Work Style:
- Do you work as an agent full time?
- Are you available during evenings and weekends?
- Are you working with other buyers or sellers now?
- If so, how many?
- How many can you work with at the same time?
- How will you tell me about properties you think I should consider?
- Drive around on broker tour and/or open house days?
- Phone me with address?
- Email me listings?
- Other?
- Are you planning any vacations in the next few months?
- If so, who will cover for you?
- How would you characterize your negotiating style?
- What role do you see yourself playing in the purchase? (how involved do you expect to be?)
- What role do you see me playing in the purchase? (how involved do you expect me to be?)
- How will you keep me informed of any progress?
- What do you see as your greatest strengths as an agent? Weaknesses?
Brokerage:
- How long has your office/branch been in business?
- How long has your broker been in business?
- Do you work with an assistant or partner?
- Do you have full access to the local MLS?
- How does your brokerage typically handle appraisals and inspections, will you be able to help me with the mortgage process, etc.?
References:
It can feel a little uncomfortable to ask for references, but remember this is a huge financial deal and you need to do more than take your brother’s best friend’s nephew’s word that this person is the right agent for you.
- Please provide references for the last three clients with whom you worked.
Once you have that, you should ask:
- Do you think that your agent understood what you wanted and found the right property for you?
- How long did it take to find the property you bought?
- Did you make multiple offers on properties before getting one?
- Do you think they got you the best deal on that property?
- Did they keep you informed of progress as you wanted?
- Did they listen to you and respond to your questions with answers you understood?
- Did they show up for appointments on time and prepared?
- What were their strengths and weaknesses?
- Did they have the contacts you needed to get the deal done (appraisers, inspectors, mortgage brokers/lenders, attorneys)?
- Did they negotiate in a way you were comfortable with?
- Would you use them again?