Interviewing Real Estate Agents: Five Questions That Reveal a Lot

Choosing a real estate agent is a bit like hiring someone for an important short-term job. You will be sharing personal financial details, making big decisions together and relying on their advice under pressure. Interviewing two or three agents before you commit is well worth the time. These five questions go beyond the basics and can reveal how an agent really works.

Questions About How They Work

1. Can you walk me through your process from start to finish?

A good agent should be able to explain each step clearly, whether you are buying or selling. For buyers, that might include how they set up searches, schedule tours, prepare offers and manage inspection and appraisal deadlines. For sellers, it might include pricing, preparing the home, marketing, showings and negotiating.

Listen for specifics. A clear, organized answer suggests an organized agent. Vague answers can be a red flag. You might also ask how many clients they typically work with at one time, which tells you how much attention you can expect.

2. What do you know about the neighborhoods I am interested in?

Markets can vary a great deal from one town, or even one subdivision, to the next. Ask what homes are selling for, how quickly they are going under contract and how much competition buyers are facing. A strong local agent will also know about schools, flood zones, HOA rules, planned development and what features buyers in that area value most.

What makes a home desirable in one community may not matter much in another, so this local insight is important whether you are buying or selling. Ask for examples of recent transactions in the area, and how they helped those clients reach their goals.

Questions About Who They Are

3. What do you enjoy most about this work?

It may sound like a soft question, but the answer says a lot. Agents who genuinely enjoy helping people find homes tend to bring extra energy and follow-through. Pay attention to whether their answer centers on clients or only on closing deals.

4. What is the hardest part of your job?

This question tests honesty. Every job has challenges, whether it is managing difficult negotiations, deals falling apart or long hours. An agent who can speak openly about the tough parts, and explain how they handle them, is more likely to be straight with you when problems come up in your transaction.

5. How do you like to communicate with clients?

Some agents prefer calls, others texts or email. Some check in daily, others only when there is news. Neither approach is wrong, but a mismatch can cause frustration. Share what you need and see how they respond. You will be working closely together, often on tight deadlines, so personality and work style matter as much as experience.

After the Interview

Take a few notes after each conversation and compare them side by side. Consider:

• Who explained things most clearly?
• Who seemed to understand your goals?
• Who would you trust to give you honest advice, even if it is not what you want to hear?
• Did any agent pressure you to sign right away?

Before signing an agreement, read it carefully, including how the agent is compensated and how long the agreement lasts.

Your agent and loan officer work as a team, and having your financing ready makes your agent’s job easier. Get a head start on budgeting with our mortgage calculator, and if this is your first purchase, visit our first-time home buyer page.

When you are ready for pre-approval, meet the FLO Mortgage team. We look forward to helping you and your agent get to the closing table.

This article is for general education and is not a commitment to lend. All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting guidelines and program availability. FLO Mortgage, Company NMLS #1835856. Equal Housing Opportunity.