What Questions Should I Ask a Realtor Before Hiring Them?
The best question you can ask a realtor before hiring them has nothing to do with marketing. It's this: tell me about a deal that almost didn't close and how you fixed it. The answer will tell you more about who you're hiring than anything else they say in that meeting.
The question nobody asks but everyone should
Most sellers walk into a realtor interview wanting to know about marketing plans, commission rates, and whether the agent does open houses. Those things matter, but here's the reality: any agent can put together the same marketing plan. A motivated seller doing it themselves as a for sale by owner can follow the same basic steps. You are not hiring a realtor for their marketing checklist. You are hiring them for their experience, their negotiation skills, and their ability to solve problems when a deal gets complicated.
So instead of asking what the marketing plan looks like, ask this: walk me through what it actually looks like to work with you. What can I expect from the moment we sign to the day we close? That question separates agents who have a real process from agents who are making it up as they go.
How to test for problem solving
Ask directly. How did you get a deal to the closing table that wasn't going to close? Listen carefully to the answer. A great agent will have a specific story with real details. An agent without much actual experience will give you something vague or pivot back to how long they've been in the business.
Time in the business and volume of experience are not the same thing. Some agents have been licensed for fifteen years and have done a handful of transactions. Others have been at it for ten years and have closed hundreds of deals. Ask how many transactions they do in a year, not just how long they've held their licence.
For sellers specifically
One of the most important things a listing agent does happens before the home ever hits the market. Knowing what to suggest when it comes to presentation, what will show well, what needs to be addressed, and how buyers are going to experience the home when they walk through it. That's not marketing. That's judgment built from being inside a lot of homes and knowing what buyers react to.
Ask your agent what they'd recommend before you list. How they answer that question tells you whether they're thinking strategically about your sale or just rushing to get the sign in the ground.
For buyers specifically
When you're touring homes with a buyer's agent, are they just unlocking the door and stepping back while you wander around? Or are they walking you through the home, pointing out what's worth paying attention to, flagging potential issues, and helping you understand what you're actually looking at?
Most buyers don't know what to look for in a home. That's not a criticism. It's just true. A good buyer's agent fills that gap. Ask them directly: when we're in a home together, what does that look like? Can I call you when I have questions?
The best question I've ever been asked
A buyer client once asked me: how can we be your best client?
I loved that question. It showed they understood that this works better when both sides are invested in making it work. Real estate transactions are complex and things go sideways. When the relationship between agent and client is built on open communication and mutual respect, navigating those moments is a lot easier. It's a two-way street and the best clients know that going in.
What to listen for in the answers
Anyone can sound confident in an interview. What you're listening for is specificity. Vague answers about "dedication" and "going above and beyond" are filler. Real answers have details, timelines, and outcomes. If an agent can't give you a concrete example of their problem solving, their negotiation, or what working with them actually looks like day to day, that's your answer.
If you want to sit down and ask me any of these questions directly, I'd welcome it. Reach out at [email protected] and let's have that conversation.
