Choosing a Real Estate Agent: Questions Worth Asking

Your real estate agent will be by your side through one of the biggest transactions of your life. It is worth taking the time to find someone whose experience, style and services match what you need. A short conversation with a few good questions can tell you a lot.

Experience and Local Knowledge

How long have you been in real estate, and how many clients have you helped recently?

There is no single right answer. A newer agent may have more open availability and a lot of energy to give your search or sale. A seasoned agent may bring deep relationships with lenders, inspectors, contractors and other agents. Think about which matters more to you, and ask for a couple of references from recent clients whose situations were similar to yours.

Which neighborhoods and property types do you know best?

Buying a downtown condo is very different from buying acreage outside town or a waterfront home. An agent who regularly works in your target area will understand pricing, typical days on market and quirks like flood zones, HOAs or septic systems.

Communication and Working Style

How and how often will we communicate?

Some people want a quick text the moment something changes. Others prefer a weekly phone call. Tell the agent what you need and ask how they usually keep clients updated, including how fast they typically respond. It is also fair to ask about evenings and weekends, since that is when many showings and offers happen.

Will I be working with you directly or with a team?

Many agents have assistants or team members who handle showings or paperwork. That is fine, as long as you know who to call and who is responsible for each part of the process.

How involved will you be from contract to closing?

Ask how they track deadlines for inspections, appraisals and financing, and how they coordinate with your lender and the closing agent. A strong agent keeps a timeline and checks in before each deadline, so nothing slips through the cracks.

Services, Marketing and Process

Questions for sellers

• What services are included, such as staging advice, professional photography, video or floor plans?
• Where will my listing appear, and how will you market it beyond the major listing sites?
• How will showings be scheduled, and will you attend them?
• How do you recommend we set the asking price?

Questions for buyers

• Can you walk me through each step, from first showing to closing day?
• How do you help buyers compete when a home gets multiple offers?
• What will our buyer agreement say, and how are you compensated?

Pay attention to how the agent responds. A good agent welcomes follow-up questions and explains things clearly without rushing you. If the answers feel vague or you feel pressured, keep interviewing. It is normal to talk with two or three agents before choosing one, and a professional agent will understand that you are doing your homework. In the end, pick the person you trust to tell you the truth, even when it is not what you hoped to hear.

Bring Your Lender Into the Conversation

Your agent and your loan officer work closely together, so it helps to have both lined up early. A pre-approval tells your agent your price range and helps your offers stand out. If you are new to buying, our first-time home buyer page is a great place to start, and our mortgage calculator can help you set a budget.

Ready to get your financing in place before you start touring? Meet the FLO Mortgage team and connect with a loan officer who will keep you and your agent in the loop.

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.