5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Realtor

Will Montminy | Posted on August 26, 2025 |

Hiring a Realtor isn’t just about who responds to your email fastest or who has the biggest billboard in town. This is someone you’ll trust with one of the biggest transactions of your life—buying a house, so the decision deserves a closer look. Before you sign with any agent, it’s worth knowing what to ask, how to interpret their answers, and what separates average agents from truly exceptional ones.

If you’re wondering which questions to ask before hiring a Realtor, this guide will walk you through the essentials. These questions will help you dig beneath the surface and choose an agent who’s not only experienced but also the right fit for your goals, timeline, and communication style.

1. What Experience Do You Have in This Local Market?

Not all real estate experience is created equal—especially when it comes to neighborhoods, price trends, and local regulations. One of the most important questions to ask a Realtor is about their direct experience in the area where you’re buying or selling.

A seasoned local agent doesn’t just know street names—they know what’s happening behind the scenes: development plans, school district shifts, resale patterns, and what homes actually sell for in your target area.

When interviewing agents, be sure to ask:

How long have you worked in this specific market? Look for someone with multi-year experience in your city or county—not just someone licensed in the state.
How many buyers or sellers have you helped in this area recently? This gives you a sense of how active and up-to-date they are with the current market.
Can you share what trends you’re seeing right now? Strong agents can speak to inventory, competition, and pricing shifts with confidence and specificity.
Are there neighborhoods you specialize in? Hyperlocal insight can mean better negotiation, more accurate comps, and faster results.

Working with a Realtor who has boots-on-the-ground experience makes a difference—not just during showings, but in every conversation that comes before and after.

2. How Will You Communicate With Me Throughout the Process?

Even the most experienced real estate agents can fall short if their communication style doesn’t match yours. That’s why one of the smartest questions to ask a realtor is how they plan to keep you informed from start to finish.

This isn’t about micromanaging—it’s about trust, consistency, and staying aligned. A great agent doesn’t just return your calls—they anticipate your questions and proactively guide you through each step.

Here’s what to ask:

What’s your preferred method of communication? Do they lean toward text, phone calls, or email? And more importantly—does that match your preference?
How often will I hear from you? Ask if you’ll get regular check-ins, updates after showings or offers, and weekly status reports.
Will I be working with you directly? Some agents pass clients off to assistants or team members. Clarify upfront who you’ll hear from day-to-day.
What happens if I have a question after hours or on weekends? Real estate moves fast. Find out how they handle urgent questions or time-sensitive situations.

When communication is smooth, everything else follows. You deserve an agent who makes you feel informed, not in the dark.

3. What’s Your Strategy for Buying or Selling in Today’s Market?

A Realtor’s strategy tells you everything about how they think—and how they’ll represent you. Whether you’re buying your first home or listing a long-time property, your agent needs a clear, informed plan tailored to today’s market conditions. Vague answers won’t cut it.

When asking questions to your realtor, this one reveals how proactive, market-savvy, and client-focused they really are.

Here are some prompts to guide the conversation:

What’s your pricing strategy for sellers in this market? Do they rely solely on comps, or do they factor in market shifts, buyer demand, and strategic timing?
How do you help buyers stand out in competitive offer situations? Look for thoughtful answers around financing prep, escalation clauses, and relationship-building with other agents.
What tools or data do you use to guide your advice? A strong agent will reference market reports, listing trends, and local buyer behavior—not just gut instinct.
How do you tailor your approach to my goals and timeline? Strategy isn’t one-size-fits-all. Make sure they can adjust based on your priorities.

If an agent can’t walk you through their plan—or if their plan sounds generic—it’s a red flag. You want someone who treats your transaction with the level of care and clarity it deserves.

4. Can You Share References or Past Client Reviews?

Any agent can tell you they’re great—but client feedback shows you how that plays out in real life. One of the smartest questions is whether they can provide recent references, testimonials, or links to their online reviews.

Real client experiences reveal far more than a résumé ever could. Look for consistency in how people describe working with them, and pay attention to whether the agent responds to feedback or goes the extra mile.

Key things to ask or look for:

Do you have recent clients I could speak with? A top-tier agent will have several people willing to vouch for them—especially those with similar buying or selling situations.
Where can I find your online reviews? Check platforms like Zillow, Google Business Profile, and Realtor.com for consistent ratings and testimonials.
Can you share an example of a client success story? This opens the door for the agent to show you how they’ve solved real challenges for people like you.
Have you worked with clients in my price point or location? Specificity matters—especially if your transaction isn’t cookie-cutter.

The goal isn’t to interrogate—it’s to make sure you’re hiring someone with a proven track record of excellent service and results.

5. How Do You Get Paid, and What Am I Committing To?

Money conversations can feel awkward—but they’re essential when choosing the right Realtor. One of the most practical questions is, how they structure their compensation and what you’re agreeing to when you sign with them.

Agents should be transparent, direct, and clear about the financial terms of working together. That clarity builds trust—and helps you avoid surprises later.

Important questions to ask:

What is your commission rate, and how is it paid? Most agents are paid via commission, typically by the seller. But buyers should still understand how the fee works behind the scenes.
Do you charge any upfront or additional fees? Some agents (especially in boutique firms) may charge retainer or administrative fees—always ask.
What kind of contract will I be signing? Understand if it’s an exclusive agreement, how long it lasts, and what happens if you want to cancel.
Are there any services you include at no extra cost? Some agents cover staging consults, professional photos, or marketing. Others may charge separately. It’s all about clarity.

A professional agent won’t hesitate to explain their value—and how they earn it. When that part’s understood upfront, it makes for a smoother and more collaborative process from day one.

Hire With Confidence, Not Guesswork

The right Realtor can make your buying or selling experience smooth, strategic, and even enjoyable. But the only way to find that right fit is by asking the right questions upfront. From communication style and local expertise to negotiation strategy and transparency about fees, these conversations help you see how an agent will really show up for you when it counts.

If you’re serious about hiring a Realtor—not just finding one—you deserve someone who will listen, guide, and advocate for your best outcome. Start with the questions in this guide, and trust your instincts from there. The right agent won’t just answer confidently—they’ll make you feel confident, too.