button for first time home buyers First Time Home Buyer: Pre Purchase
house
Interviewing Providers

Questions to Ask a Real Estate Agent

If you’re searching for a house or are interested in creating an on-going working relationship with a real estate agent for the purposes of buying a residence it is crucial that you find someone who will understand your requirements and act on those accordingly. The perfect agent can help you with a profitable transaction, as well as several more in the future, if you intend on investing in multiple properties.

Before you hire an agent to help you buy or sell a home, you should interview at least 3 agents in person. In order to do this, first get recommendations from friends, family and neighbors. Look on the web, in home magazines and the local newspaper. The interview is simply an opportunity for you to meet the candidate and explain your needs, it need not be formal. Agents should come prepared.

  1. What designations do you hold?

    Additional designations, Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI) and Council of Residential Specialist (CRA), require that agents take additional, specialized real estate training as well as following a code of ethics.

     

  2. What type of support and supervision does your brokerage office provide to you?

    Having resources such as in-house support staff, access to a real estate attorney, and assistance with technology can help an agent find you a home.

  3. If I am not satisfied with your performance, can I terminate our agreement?

    It is important to discuss the agent’s commission and cancellation policies. A great way to get a feel for the agent’s professionalism and tactics may be to ask how they’ve dealt with a past client who found a home on their own merits. Find out if the agent will still be entitled to a full commission. Question about early cancellation fees that may apply if you become dissatisfied.

     

  4. How will you keep me informed about the progress of my transaction? How frequently?

    It is important to discuss the agent’s commission and cancellation policies. A great way to get a feel for the agent’s professionalism and tactics may be to ask how they’ve dealt with a past client who found a home on their own merits. Find out if the agent will still be entitled to a full commission. Question about early cancellation fees that may apply if you become dissatisfied.

     

  5. What is your business philosophy?

    This could help you assess what is important to the agent and determine how closely the agent's goals and business emphasis work with your own.

     

  6. Could you please give me the names and phone numbers of your three most recent clients?

    Ask recent clients about their experience with this agent. You may want to find out whether the client was pleased with the agent’s communication style, work ethic and follow up methods.

     

Homeowners Cafe by Zions Bank - Your Resource on Home Ownership

You Might Also Like

Quick Tip

Realtors vs. Real Estate Agents: Not all Real Estate Agents are Realtors, a Realtor is someone who belongs to the National Association of Realtors. To become a member, an agent must hold an active license from a qualified school and promise to adhere to a particular code of ethics. 

Contact Us

Schedule an appointment
happy home owners

Your privacy is important at zionsbank.com. Please see our Privacy Policy for details.
For general customer service inquiries, please Contact Us.
© Copyright 2011 Zions Bank.

Zions Bank sponsors The Homeowners Café© as a service to the community; therefore, all information provided should be considered as educational in nature and not as professional services. By utilizing the services of, and the information provided by, The Homeowners Café© you acknowledge and agree this does not constitute any legal commitment to become a customer of any bank including Zions Bank and its affiliates nor does it constitute an offer of any extension or modification of any credit to you by Zions Bank or its affiliates.