Choosing the right realtor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your home buying or selling journey. A great realtor does more than just show homes—they guide you through every step, ensuring the best possible outcome. To find the perfect fit, here are five must-ask questions to include in your interview process.

1. How Well Do You Know the Market?

Market knowledge is critical when it comes to real estate. Must-ask questions about the market includes familiarity with neighborhoods, school districts, pricing trends, and even upcoming developments in the areas you are most interested in. The right realtor will know each area inside and out, providing valuable insights that can save you time and money. Make sure the information they tell you aligns with information you can find online (one option here).

Why It Matters: A knowledgeable realtor can pinpoint the right homes to visit or accurately price your property for a quick sale.

What to Look For: Specific examples of past transactions in your area and an understanding of current market trends.

2. What is Your Communication Style?

Real estate moves fast, and clear communication is essential. Find out up front if the person you are speaking with will be your agent during each step of the process or whether they will be handing you off to various team members.

Ask how often you can expect updates and what methods they use to stay in touch. Are they best at responding to phone calls, texts, or emails? Do they work every day, nights and on weekends? Make sure their communication style and availability aligns with your expectations.

Why It Matters: A responsive realtor ensures you’re always informed and able to act quickly in a competitive market.

What to Look For: Concise replies during the interview process to your must-ask questions and a clear plan for staying connected.

3. Can Potential Inspection Issues Be Identified During a Showing?

While realtors aren’t home inspectors, an experienced one will have seen hundreds if not thousands of homes and will have a keen eye for potential red flags at your first showing. They should be able to identify common issues like foundation cracks, outdated wiring, or roof damage during every showing. They will know all of the inspections you need based upon the condition, age and location of the house and give you high quality referrals to trusted inspection services. A great agent will meet you at the property to go over inspection reports with the inspector, ask for clarification about each significant finding and push back on possible incorrect findings or items that may have been missed. They will know the approximate cost to repair each issues and direct you to trusted service providers to get repair quotes. Perhaps most importantly, they know when to advise you to walk away and when to run.

Why It Matters: Spotting potential problems early can save you from costly surprises down the road.

What to Look For: Confidence in pointing out potential issues and recommending trusted inspectors.

4. How Skilled Are You at Negotiation?

Negotiation is where deals are made or lost. Ask about their approach to negotiating offers, counteroffers, and concessions. A skilled negotiator fights for your best interests and doesn't push you to accept terms that you are not comfortable with. A good follow-up question is to ask what the agent's strategy is to get the seller to pay your commission. If they merely say they will ask the seller what they are paying before you write an offer and you can decide if you want to make an offer based on the answer, that's not good enough. A good buyer's agent will include your commission obligation in the offer and then fight hard to during negotiations to ensure it gets paid by the seller.

Why It Matters: A savvy negotiator can secure a better price, favorable terms, or repairs, putting more value in your pocket.

What to Look For: Examples of successful negotiations and a clear strategy for representing you in high-stakes situations.

5. How Do You Counsel A Client When You Receive a Bad Inspection Report?

Is this person going to be your advocate and guide you through the process with your best interests in mind? Or will they always have their paycheck in mind first and push you to make an offer or agree to terms that are not in your best interest? This is possibly the most important question. You want to know how they will handle situations where walking away might be the best option for you. A great realtor always prioritizes your needs over their commission. Their answer will reveal whether they’re focused on advocacy or simply making a sale.

Why It Matters: You want someone who has your back, even if it means advising you against a deal.

What to Look For: A track record of honest, client-first service and glowing reviews that highlight their integrity and their ability to provide advice that is not in their personal best interest.

Final Thoughts

Finding the right realtor takes more than a quick Google search. By asking these five must-ask questions, you’ll gain valuable insight into their expertise, approach, and whether they’re the right fit for your needs. Remember, this isn’t just a transaction—it’s your home. Choose someone who treats it with the care and attention it deserves.