Is Your Realtor the Right Fit? Ask These 10 Questions to Find Out!
Selecting a Realtor that works best for you can often with the difference between a
smooth/seamless process and a rocky uphill battle.
1. How long have you been working in this area, and how well do you know the local market?
Experience and familiarity with the local market ensure that your Realtor understands pricing
trends, neighbourhood dynamics, school districts, and amenities that may impact your buying or
selling decision.
2. What is your average list-to-sale price ratio?
This ratio shows their ability to price homes accurately and negotiate effectively. A lower ratio
might indicate a tendency to underprice homes, while a much higher ratio could signal
overpricing.
3. Can you provide references or testimonials from past clients?
Speaking with previous clients gives you insights into the Realtor’s professionalism,
communication style and success rate. Positive experiences and testimonials can often indicate
reliability.
4. How many clients are you currently working with, and how do you manage your time?
A Realtor with too many clients might not dedicate enough time to your needs, while one with
too few may lack recent experience. Their time managements skills reflect their ability to
prioritize your process.
5. What is your strategy for marketing my property (or finding my ideal home)?
For sellers, this reveals how they plan to attract buyers (online listings, open houses, social
media, etc.). For buyers, it shows their resourcefulness and commitment to finding you the right
property.
6. What types of properties do you specialize in?
Believe it or not but certain Realtors do specialize in certain properties. If you’re buying or
selling a specific property type (ex. condos, luxury homes, commercial, rural, land), their
expertise in that niche can significantly impact your outcome.
7. How do you stay updated on local real estate trends and regulations?
This ensures the Realtor is current with market trends, zoning laws, legal requirements, which
are crucial for a smooth process.
8. What challenges do you foresee in my buying/selling process, and how would you address them?
A great Realtor will anticipate potential roadblocks (ex. Market competition, financing issues)
and outline proactive solutions, demonstrating their problem solving skills.
9. How do you handle negotiations? Can you give an example of a successful negotiation?
Negotiation is critical skill in real estate. Not all Realtors are good negotiators. Their approach
and past successes can give you confidence in their ability to secure the best deal for you.
10. What is your communication style, and how often will you update me?
Consistent and clear communication is vital to a stress-free process. You need a Realtor who
aligns with your preferences (ex. Phone, text, email and the frequency of these updates).