10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Realtor for Your Next Move

Hiring the right realtor can make or break your real estate experience. Whether you’re buying or selling, asking the right questions upfront saves time, money, and frustration. A skilled agent doesn’t just know the market—they understand your unique needs and priorities. In this guide, you’ll find the most important questions to ask, helping you choose a realtor who fits your goals and delivers results.

Why Ask Questions?

Asking questions is more than just satisfying curiosity. When hiring a realtor, it’s your chance to evaluate their professionalism, knowledge, and personality. The right questions equip you with insights that can save time, money, and stress during your real estate journey. Think of it as your safety net—helping ensure you’re making an informed decision.

Understanding Expertise

The questions you ask can reveal how skilled and knowledgeable a realtor truly is. Their answers will highlight their expertise in market trends, property values, and negotiation strategies. For example, asking, “How long have you been working in this area?” can help you assess their local knowledge and familiarity with your target neighborhood.

A confident realtor will provide clear and actionable responses, whether you’re asking about their marketing techniques or how they handle complex transactions. Their ability to explain complicated processes in simple terms is a great indicator of their competency. If they stumble or offer vague answers, it might suggest they lack experience or expertise.

For more tailored questions to gauge a realtor’s knowledge, check out this comprehensive list from NAR.

Building Trust

Trust is the foundation of any successful relationship, and working with a realtor is no different. Asking the right questions helps you understand their work ethic, priorities, and whether they truly have your best interests in mind. Are they transparent about their fees? Do they openly discuss potential challenges? Every honest response builds a layer of trust.

Communication style also matters. If a realtor listens intently and offers thoughtful answers, it shows they’re invested in your goals. On the other hand, rushed or dismissive replies can be a red flag. Good agents know that trust isn’t built overnight—it’s earned through consistent, trustworthy behavior.

For actionable advice on fostering trust with real estate professionals, visit these insights from YPN.

Without mutual understanding and trust, even the most qualified realtor may not be the right fit for you.

Key Questions to Ask

Hiring a realtor is a major decision. You’re trusting someone to guide you through one of the biggest financial and life choices you’ll make. Asking the right questions can help you determine if they’re the perfect match for your needs. Here are the key topics you should cover to make an informed choice.

What is Your Experience in This Market?

Local expertise matters in real estate. A realtor with a solid understanding of the area will have the insights you need. Ask about their experience in your specific market—how long they’ve worked there, the types of properties they’ve handled, and their knowledge of neighborhood trends. A skilled local agent knows the nuances that impact pricing, buyer behavior, and sales timelines.

For example, understanding school districts, upcoming developments, or seasonal fluctuations can make a big difference in your sale or purchase. If they’re vague about their prior work in the area, it might be worth considering someone else.

Want a deeper look into what makes local expertise critical in real estate? Check out this detailed overview on local market knowledge.

Can You Provide References?

Past clients can provide valuable insight into a realtor’s professionalism and results. Don’t hesitate to ask for references. A good agent should have a list of satisfied customers who can vouch for their success, communication style, and ability to navigate challenges.

Questions to ask these references might include:

• How was their overall experience?
• Did the agent meet expectations?
• Were there any challenges, and how were they handled?

Hearing directly from previous clients can help you decide if this is someone you want to work with. If they can’t provide references or seem hesitant to do so, it might be a sign to move on. Learn more about what to look for in references in this helpful guide.

What is Your Marketing Strategy?

Effective marketing can make or break a property sale. Ask your potential realtor how they plan to market your home, or if you’re buying, how they search for the best options. A solid marketing strategy might include professional photos, virtual tours, staging advice, social media promotion, and email campaigns.

Listen carefully to their approach. Is it targeted? Do they use modern tools and platforms? Do they tailor their strategy depending on the property type? Agents with a proactive plan are often better equipped to attract serious buyers. To dive deeper into real estate marketing strategies, this article on marketing tactics offers great insights.

How Do You Handle Communication?

In any transaction, clear and timely communication is key. Make sure you ask how they’ll keep you updated. Will they call, email, or text you? How often can you expect updates? What’s their typical response time to questions?

Find a communication style that aligns with your preferences. Some people prefer frequent updates, while others only want to hear about major milestones. If the agent seems too busy or difficult to reach during your initial conversations, this could lead to stress down the line. For pointers on improving communication during professional relationships, see these tips on effective communication.

What Are Your Fees and Commissions?

Understanding costs upfront helps avoid surprises later. Real estate agents typically work on commission, but the percentage can vary. Ask what their fee is and whether it’s negotiable. Clarify if any other charges, such as marketing fees, will be involved.

Keep in mind that cheaper isn’t always better. An agent with a slightly higher commission might deliver better results overall, such as a higher sale price or smoother process. For more on understanding fees and commissions in real estate, you can explore this comprehensive breakdown.

Asking the right questions can save you time and stress later. Use this list as your starting point to ensure you’re hiring the best possible person to guide you through your real estate journey.

Evaluating Responses

When hiring a realtor, it’s essential to analyze their responses to your questions carefully. Their answers reveal more than just information; they show their professionalism, mindset, and approach to working with you. Here’s how to assess their responses in depth.

Look for Confidence vs. Arrogance

A confident realtor understands their expertise and is comfortable sharing it without overpromising or boasting. Confidence is built on knowledge and experience, making them dependable when handling complex transactions or negotiations. They’ll answer your questions with clarity, providing solutions backed by real-world success.

On the flip side, arrogance can be a red flag. An overbearing realtor may dismiss your concerns or give off the vibe that they’re doing you a favor by working with you. Arrogance can signal insecurity, which might lead to poor communication or an unwillingness to address problems. For better insight into spotting the difference, this guide on confidence vs. arrogance breaks it down effectively.

Ask yourself: Does this person exude genuine confidence, or do they come across as pushy and self-centered? The difference matters when choosing someone to represent your interests.

Assessing Compatibility

Hiring the right realtor isn’t just about skills—it’s also about personality. You’ll work closely with them, so it’s crucial to feel comfortable discussing your needs and concerns. Do their communication style and approach align with your expectations? Are they approachable and willing to adapt to your preferences?

Think of working with a realtor as forming a partnership. Personal rapport builds trust and ensures smoother communication during the often-stressful buying or selling process. If interactions feel forced, or there’s a lack of mutual understanding, it might be a sign they’re not the right fit for you. For more tips, check out this resource on evaluating compatibility with real estate agents.

When interviewing, pay attention to how they listen. Are they asking follow-up questions to better understand your goals? A realtor who truly values your input is more likely to be compatible with your needs.

Identifying Red Flags

Not every realtor is the right choice, and there are clear signs that can indicate a bad fit. These red flags should make you consider other options:

1. Lack of Communication: If they are slow to respond, unclear, or dismissive, this could lead to problems down the road.
2. Inexperience or Part-Time Commitment: A realtor who isn’t fully invested in their profession might struggle to manage your transaction effectively.
3. Overpromising Results: Unrealistic guarantees, like offering a higher-than-market value for your home, often signal a lack of honesty.

A good realtor should be transparent and set clear expectations. If they make you feel uneasy with their behavior or approach, trust your instincts. For a more extensive breakdown of potential issues, refer to this list of real estate red flags.

By identifying these warning signs early, you’ll save yourself from unnecessary stress and find an agent who meets your standards.

Making Your Decision

After asking the essential questions and gathering responses from potential realtors, it’s time to evaluate the information and make a confident choice. Here’s how to approach this crucial step in your real estate journey.

Compare Responses

Not all realtors provide the same level of service, expertise, or communication. Take the time to compare their answers carefully. Look for specifics in their responses—did they provide detailed examples, or were they vague and generic? This is a great way to gauge their experience and commitment.

Remember to evaluate their proposed strategies. For example, when you asked about marketing, did they offer a comprehensive plan that fits your goals, or did their approach feel outdated?

Here’s a simple way to compare options effectively:

• Review their credentials and local expertise.
• Compare key services, such as marketing plans and network connections.
• Evaluate personal compatibility, including communication and responsiveness.

A helpful strategy is to create a spreadsheet or checklist with all the criteria that are most important to you. When laying everything out side by side, patterns may become clearer. For additional insights, you can explore this guide on finding the right real estate agent.

Trust Your Instincts

Sometimes, the logical decision is backed by a feeling. If you feel uneasy about an agent—even if their qualifications seem great—it might be best to move on. Similarly, if you feel naturally at ease with a realtor and they check all the boxes, trust that.

Think about how they made you feel during initial conversations. Did they actively listen and address your concerns? Were they approachable and honest about challenges? These subtle cues often reveal their professionalism and willingness to work with you.

Your gut feeling isn’t just emotional—it’s a culmination of the impressions and experiences you’ve had during the vetting process. For more on striking a balance between intuition and research, check out this article on when to trust your instincts in real estate.

The right realtor will not just meet your expectations—they’ll inspire confidence and make you feel fully supported throughout your real estate journey. Trust this blend of logic and instinct to guide you to the right decision.

Wrapping Up the Conversation with Your Realtor

Deciding on a realtor is about more than just credentials; it’s about partnership. Asking the right questions builds trust and ensures you hire someone who aligns with your goals. After all, navigating the complexities of real estate requires someone you can rely on.

Take the opportunity to summarize what you’ve learned through your questions. Have they proven their knowledge of the market? Does their communication style fit your needs? If these key points align, you’re likely on the right track. For more detailed guidance on asking the right questions, check out this comprehensive list from REALTOR®.

Ensure Your Goals Are Understood

The process you’ve gone through so far helps ensure you’re hiring someone who doesn’t just meet the standard but exceeds it. Reiterate your expectations with the realtor to clarify that what you need and what they offer truly align. If it helps, review this Bankrate guide on interviewing realtors for a refresher on critical questions.

The right choice should feel like a mutual handshake—rooted in understanding, professionalism, and trust. Take your time to evaluate, and don’t be afraid to ask for clarity if something feels uncertain.