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Buying a Home Guide

Questions to Ask a Real Estate Agent

The interview checklist, from a loan officer's seat

Interview at least two or three agents and ask each the same questions, so you can compare real answers. Focus on track record in your price range, how they communicate, the buyer agreement and fee, and references you can actually call.

By Niko Kramer, Mortgage Loan Officer, Satori Mortgage, NMLS #2180891

Last updated: June 13, 2026

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What should you ask about an agent's track record?

Years in the business matter less than recent, relevant experience. You want an agent who has closed homes like the one you are buying, in your price range and area, lately. Ask:

  • How many buyers have you worked with in the last year, and in my price range?
  • Which neighborhoods do you know best, and have you closed there recently?
  • What share of your business is buyers versus sellers?
  • Do you work solo or on a team, and who will actually attend my showings and handle my file?
  • Have you handled my situation before, such as first-time buyer, new construction, or a specific loan type?

What should you ask about communication and availability?

Buying a home is a multi-week relationship with real deadlines. The single most common buyer complaint is an agent who goes quiet. Set expectations before you sign, not after. Ask:

  • How and how quickly do you typically respond, and what are your working hours?
  • Who is my point of contact if you are unavailable or out of town?
  • How will you keep me updated during the search and once we are under contract?
  • How many clients are you actively working with right now?

What should you ask about the buyer agreement and the fee?

Since August 17, 2024, a buyer working with an MLS-participating agent signs a written agreement before touring a home, and it discloses how the agent is paid. Read it before you sign and ask plainly:

A straightforward agent answers the fee question directly. Vagueness here is a red flag.

  • What does this written buyer agreement commit me to, and for how long?
  • How are you compensated, and what would I owe if the seller does not cover your fee?
  • Can the agreement be limited to specific homes or a shorter term to start?
  • How do you handle dual agency, and is it even allowed in my state?
  • What happens if I am not satisfied and want to end the agreement?

Go deeper: The NAR Settlement, Explained, How Real Estate Commission Works .

What should you ask about their process and your market?

You want an agent who sets honest expectations and writes offers that can actually close. Ask:

  • How would you approach my search and offer strategy in today's market?
  • How do you coordinate with my lender, and do you respect a pre-approval?
  • How do you handle inspections, the appraisal, and contingencies?
  • What is your read on pricing and timeline for what I am looking for?
  • How do you decide what to offer and what to ask the seller to cover?

What references and proof should you ask for?

Talk to people the agent has recently worked with, not just the names on a website. Ask the agent, then ask the references:

  • Can you connect me with two or three buyers you closed in the last year?
  • What was the hardest part of your transaction, and how did the agent handle it?
  • Did the agent communicate well and set realistic expectations?
  • Would you use this agent again, and what would you change?

Which answers should give you pause?

Most agents are professionals. A few answers, though, signal a rough road ahead. Be cautious if an agent:

  • Pressures you to sign quickly or to skip the written agreement.
  • Is vague or evasive about how they are paid.
  • Dismisses your budget or your pre-approval.
  • Cannot point to recent closings at your price point or property type.
  • Cannot clearly explain what the buyer agreement commits you to.
  • Is slow to respond even while trying to win your business.

Key terms, quickly defined

Buyer-broker agreement
The written contract, required before touring since August 2024, that sets the agent's services and how the agent is paid.
Buyer's agent
An agent who represents the buyer's interests in a purchase, in contrast to the listing agent who represents the seller.
Dual agency
One agent or brokerage representing both buyer and seller; allowed in some states, restricted in others, and always disclosed.
Comparative market analysis (CMA)
An agent's estimate of a home's value based on recent comparable sales, used to guide offer and pricing strategy.
Pre-approval
A lender's assessment of how much a buyer can borrow, best obtained before interviewing agents so you shop with a real budget.
Contingency
A condition in your offer, such as inspection, appraisal, or financing, that lets you renegotiate or walk away without losing your earnest money if it is not met.

Frequently asked questions

Ask about their recent track record in your price range and area, how and how fast they communicate, what the written buyer agreement commits you to and how they are paid, how they coordinate with your lender, and for references from recent clients. Ask every agent the same questions so you can compare honestly.

At least two or three. A referral is a strong starting point, but interviewing a few lets you compare track record, communication, and fee side by side, and confirm fit for your specific price range and area. Defaulting to the first name you are given is the most common mistake buyers make.

Yes, directly. Since August 2024 you sign a written agreement disclosing the agent's fee before touring, so compensation is meant to be discussed up front. Ask how they are paid and what you would owe if the seller does not cover their fee. A straightforward answer is a good sign; evasiveness is a red flag.

Ask how often they work with first-time buyers, how they will walk you through the steps, and how they coordinate with your lender. First-time buyers value guidance most, so you want someone patient who explains the process. Get pre-approved first so the agent has a real budget to plan around.

Pressure to rush or skip the written agreement, vague answers about how they are paid, dismissiveness about your budget or pre-approval, no recent track record at your price point, and poor responsiveness even while courting your business. Any one of these is worth a pause before you sign anything.

No. You can interview agents and ask about their services without signing anything. Since August 2024 the written buyer agreement is required before an MLS-participating agent tours homes with you, not before a conversation. Read the agreement carefully and ask about anything unclear before you sign it.

Start by reading your written buyer agreement, which sets the term and how to end it. Many agreements let either side cancel, sometimes with notice, and some tie compensation to homes the agent already showed you. Talk to the agent or their broker first, and ask a real estate attorney if the terms are unclear.

More in this series

How to Choose a Real Estate Agent

The pillar guide: what to look for, buyer's agent vs listing agent, the 2024 rule change, red flags, and when to start.

Read guide →

The NAR Settlement, Explained

What the 2024 settlement changed, why you now sign a written agreement before touring, and what it means for buyers.

Read guide →

How Real Estate Commission Works

Who pays the agent, how compensation is negotiated after the settlement, and how it can show up in your transaction.

Read guide →

Sources

Get pre-approved before you interview agents.

A pre-approval sets your real budget and lets you walk in as a ready, serious buyer, with a clear number any agent can plan around.

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