Questions to Ask a Realtor When Buying a House
Use the first section when interviewing agents, the rest per property.
A good agent will answer direct questions directly. The purpose of asking is partly to get information and partly to see how the answers are given.
Representation models, agreements and compensation arrangements vary by state and by brokerage, so ask how they work in your market and read anything you are asked to sign.
Choosing an agent
- How long have you worked in this specific market, and with buyers?
- How many buyers are you currently working with?
- Who will I actually be communicating with — you or a team member?
- How do you typically communicate, and how quickly?
- Can you describe a recent transaction that did not go smoothly and how you handled it?
- Can you provide references from recent buyer clients?
Representation, agreements and fees
These arrangements differ by state and brokerage and have changed in recent years. Ask for the specifics in writing rather than assuming a national norm.
- Who do you represent in this transaction, and what does that mean here?
- Is there a buyer representation agreement, and what are its terms and length?
- How is your compensation structured, and who pays it in this scenario?
- What happens if I want to end the agreement?
- Do you ever represent both sides, and how is that handled in this state?
- Are there any fees beyond your commission?
Process and expectations
- What does the timeline usually look like from offer to closing here?
- Which contingencies are common in this market, and what do they protect?
- Which professionals will I need, and when do I engage each?
- What do you need from me to move quickly when we find the right home?
- How do you handle a competitive situation?
About a specific property
- How long has it been on the market, and has the price changed?
- Has it been listed before, or had offers fall through?
- What do we know about the seller's timeline and priorities?
- What disclosures are available, and can I have them now?
- What work has been done, and are permits available?
- Is there an HOA, and can I see the documents, budget and assessment history?
- What is the current property tax bill?
Before writing an offer
- What comparable sales support this price, and can I see them?
- What terms besides price matter to this seller?
- Which contingencies do you recommend keeping, and what is the trade-off of removing any?
- What are the deadlines in this contract, and what happens if one is missed?
- What is my earnest money at risk for, and under what conditions?
How to read the answers
You are listening for specificity and for a willingness to put things in writing.
- Good sign: 'I do not know, but I will find out and send it to you.'
- Good sign: answers that distinguish their opinion from documented fact.
- Worth probing: urgency introduced whenever you ask for documentation.
- Worth probing: financial or legal answers given confidently outside their profession.
- Worth probing: reluctance to explain their own agreement's terms.
Common mistakes
- Hiring the first agent you meet without asking about representation or fees.
- Assuming the listing agent is working on your behalf.
- Asking good questions and never writing the answers down.
- Relying on an agent for legal, tax or lending advice instead of the relevant professional.
- Signing an agreement without reading its length and exit terms.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need my own agent as a buyer?
Many buyers work with their own agent, but arrangements and obligations vary by state. Ask how representation works in your market and what any agreement commits you to.
Who pays the buyer's agent?
Compensation arrangements vary by market, brokerage and agreement, and practices have changed in recent years. Ask for the specific arrangement in writing before you sign.
Can my agent tell me if a house is a good deal?
An agent can show you comparable sales and share their opinion. Valuation opinions, appraisals and lending decisions come from different professionals.
What if I am unhappy with my agent?
Check the terms of your agreement — length, exclusivity and termination provisions vary. Ask about the exit terms before you sign rather than after.