5 Questions I'll Be Asking a Prospective Real Estate Agent

It's not a great time to buy a home, but I'm excited to stop renting and make a real home for myself in the city I moved to in 2021. Plus, I finally have the financial means to buy a modest home for my cats and me, and after my last attempt at homeownership ended badly, I'm older, wiser, and far more aware of how much this will cost me.

Later this year or early next, I'll get to navigate high interest rates (as of this writing, the average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is 6.81%, per Freddie Mac) and low housing inventory. I'll also have to jump through more hoops with mortgage lenders to get a loan, as I'm self-employed. Thankfully, I'll be buying with a real estate agent, which means I'll have a sounding board, an ally, and support for the process -- plus someone to do the sales paperwork.

Here's my personal list of questions to ask agents I might want to hire. Consider asking questions like these before hiring the best real estate agent for you.

1. Do you work as an agent full time?

Some agents only work part time, and this doesn't make them any less great at their job -- but it means they have a lot less time available for clients. If the agent has multiple clients and works part time, that leaves even less time for me specifically. Plus, a part-time agent might be newer to the profession (and could help people buy/sell homes alongside another career they're easing out of). I know I'll have the greatest chance of successfully buying a home if I have someone with a lot of experience in my corner.

2. How well do you know this city and the surrounding area?

I've lived in my current city for just two years, and while I've lived in this particular state for seven years, I can't claim to be an expert on the area. Ideally, the real estate agent I hire will be, though. There are a lot of small towns and villages close to my city, as part of a larger metropolitan area, and while I really like the neighborhood I rent in, I'm open to considering other neighborhoods -- both in the city and surrounding area.

Another area of concern is the nearby river -- I live in a valley and some places close to the river are prone to flooding when we get heavy rains and snowmelt. The right agent for me will need to know which areas to avoid so I can save myself from this hassle.

3. Have you worked with other clients like me?

No two clients are alike, but I want to know if a prospective agent has helped others like me buy a home. I'm buying solo, I work from home, and I will be sharing the house with my cats. As a result, my wants and needs in a home are likely different from that of someone who is buying with a partner, or who has children. On a similar note, factors like the quality of local schools don't matter to me, while they are extremely important for buyers with kids. It's also important to ensure an agent has worked with people who have a similar budget to mine.

4. How do you like to communicate with clients?

Not all millennials are afraid of phone calls, and I'm definitely okay with hiring an agent who likes to chat on the phone. That said, I don't always have time in my schedule for this communication method, so ideally the agent I hire will be a texter or down to exchange emails frequently.

The last time I bought, the agent I used was a prodigious emailer and sent me links to new homes for sale on the MLS (multiple listing service) every few days, which was excellent -- I could peruse them at my leisure and let her know which ones I wanted to view. I'm hoping to find the same this time around.

5. Do you have references?

The National Association of Realtors found that the average number of transactions for an agent in 2021 was 12, so it's a reasonable expectation that any agent I'm considering will have recent clients I can contact for a reference. I'll ask them about working with the agent in question, how well they communicated, and how long it took to find the right home. Along with personal references, I'll also look online for agent reviews.

If you're dreaming of buying a home, be it now or in the future (perhaps after rates have come down?), I recommend creating your own list of questions to ask an agent you're considering hiring. While every home buyer is different, you want to find someone who can guide you while being mindful of your needs. Having an agent who knows your city well, communicates in the way you prefer, and is well regarded in your community will go a long way toward making the buying process much smoother.