Questions to ask a Real Estate Agent before you choose one

Before choosing a real estate agent, ask about their experience in your area, how they communicate, how they run comps, and what their offer strategy looks like. The answers, and how clearly they are explained, tell you more than any profile page.

Use this list in your interviews. You do not need every question; pick the ones that match your situation and listen for specific, confident answers. Vague answers are data too: an agent who cannot explain their process while trying to win your business will not explain it better once they have it.

Questions about experience

How many transactions did you close in the last twelve months, and how many were in my target area?
What price range do you work in most often?
Do you work with buyers, sellers, or both?
How long have you worked in this market?
Will I work with you directly or with a team member?

Questions about communication

How often will I hear from you during an active search or listing?
Do you prefer calls, texts, or email, and can you match my preference?
How quickly do you typically respond during a live deal?
How do you deliver bad news, like a rejected offer or a failed inspection?
Who covers for you when you are unavailable?

Communication mismatches are the most common source of frustration with agents. If this is your priority, read how to find a real estate agent who communicates well.

Questions about comps

How do you choose comparable sales for a property?
How do you adjust for condition, lot, and location differences?
Can you walk me through a recent comp analysis you did?
What do you do when comps are thin or the market is shifting?

Questions about offer strategy

How do you decide what to offer, or what to counter, in this market?
When do you recommend escalation clauses or waiving contingencies, and when do you advise against it?
How do you evaluate offer strength beyond the price?
Tell me about a negotiation that got difficult. What did you do?

Questions about buyer support

How do you help a buyer prioritize when they cannot get everything on their list?
How do you handle a buyer who needs more explanation, or more time, than average?
What does your process look like from first showing to closing?

Questions about seller support

What is your pricing methodology for a listing like mine?
What does your preparation and marketing plan include?
How will you report showing feedback and market response to me?
How do you advise on choosing between multiple offers?

Red flags in answers

Watch for vagueness on comps, pressure to sign quickly, promises that sound too good, dismissiveness about your questions, and any unwillingness to explain reasoning. An agent who cannot communicate clearly in an interview will not communicate clearly during a transaction. The full list is in real estate agent red flags.

One more signal worth noting: the best answers often include something you did not want to hear, like a realistic assessment of your budget or timeline. An agent willing to disagree with you politely in the interview is showing you honest representation. An agent who agrees with everything is showing you a sales process.

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Frequently asked questions

What questions should I ask a real estate agent before hiring them?

Cover four areas: experience in your market, communication habits, how they run comps, and offer strategy. Add buyer or seller specific questions depending on your side of the transaction, and compare answers across at least three agents.

What is the single most revealing question?

Ask them to walk you through a recent comp analysis or negotiation. Specific, detailed stories signal real experience. Vague generalities signal the opposite.

Should I ask about communication style directly?

Yes. Ask how often they update clients, in what format, and how fast they respond during live deals. Then compare that honestly against what you need.

How does Requity use these topics?

Requity's relationship style assessment captures your communication preferences and support needs up front, so the matching process already accounts for the fit questions before you ever interview an agent.