Hiring the right realtor can make the difference between a smooth, profitable home sale and a stressful, money-losing experience. Before signing any agreement, sellers should ask targeted questions that reveal a realtor’s experience, strategy, communication style, and track record. Below is a practical checklist of the most important questions to ask — grouped by topic — with brief notes on why each matters.
What to expect a great realtor is more than a license and a smile: they’re a marketer, negotiator, advisor, and project manager. Your goal in the interview is to confirm they understand your goals, know your market, and have a clear plan to get your home sold for the best price in the right timeframe.
Questions about experience and credentials
- How long have you been selling homes, and how many listings have you handled in the past year? Why: Experience and current activity indicate familiarity with market cycles and negotiating multiple deals.
- Do you sell full-time or part-time? Why: Full-time agents typically have more bandwidth and urgency.
- What neighborhoods or property types do you specialize in? Why: Local expertise matters—comparables, buyer pools, and pricing nuance vary by area and property type.
- Can you provide proof of your license and any professional designations (e.g., CRS, SRS)? Why: Designations can signal additional training and specialization.
Questions about track record and references
- What’s your average list-to-sale price ratio and average days on market for comparable homes? Why: These metrics show pricing accuracy and market effectiveness.
- Can you provide recent references from sellers who had similar properties? Why: Talking to past clients reveals communication style, reliability, and results.
- How many of your listings expired or were withdrawn in the past year, and why? Why: High withdrawal/expiration rates can point to poor pricing or marketing.
Questions about pricing strategy
- How will you determine my home’s listing price? Will you provide a comparative market analysis (CMA)? Why: You want a data-driven rationale, not guesswork.
- What is your recommended list price range, and what’s the strategy behind it (e.g., pricing to market vs. aspirational pricing)? Why: Understand whether they aim to attract multiple offers quickly or test a higher price.
- How flexible should I be on price, and how will you advise me on offers? Why: Clarifies negotiation expectations and whether they’ll counsel realistically.
Questions about marketing and presentation
- What is your marketing plan for my home (online listings, photography, staging recommendations, open houses, targeted ads)? Why: Modern buyers start online; strong listing presentation and targeted campaigns matter.
- Will you hire a professional photographer, virtual tour provider, and/or staging consultant? At whose cost? Why: Professional visuals significantly affect buyer interest and sale price.
- How will you position my home to stand out from comparable listings? Why: You want creative and local-market-specific tactics, not boilerplate approaches.
- Which websites and portals will you use to advertise my property? Why: Confirm exposure on major portals and local channels used by buyers.
Questions about communication and process
- How often and by what method will you update me (calls, texts, email, portal)? Who is my point of contact? Why: Expectation-setting avoids frustration; know if assistants handle details.
- How quickly do you typically respond to client messages? Why: Timely communication matters during negotiations and showings.
- What is your strategy for scheduling showings and open houses? Why: Efficient showing management maximizes buyer access while minimizing disruption.
- How will you handle buyer agent inquiries and feedback after showings? Why: Timely feedback informs pricing and marketing adjustments.
Questions about negotiation and offers
- How do you evaluate and present offers? Will you provide a net proceeds estimate for each? Why: You want clear advice on financial and contractual trade-offs.
- What is your negotiation philosophy and recent example of a successful negotiation? Why: Strong negotiators can protect your interests and improve net proceeds.
- How will you handle multiple offers and bidding wars? Why: Clarifies fairness and strategy for maximizing sale price.
Questions about fees, contracts, and timelines
- What is your commission rate, and what services are included? Are there any additional fees? Why: Understand total costs and what you’re paying for.
- How long is the listing agreement, and what are the termination terms? Why: Avoid getting locked into an unfavorable long-term contract.
- What is the expected timeline from listing to closing for homes like mine? Why: Aligns expectations for move-out and contingency planning.
Questions about risks and contingencies
- What common issues come up in this neighborhood or with homes like mine, and how would you handle them? Why: Anticipating inspections, disclosures, or title issues helps prepare mitigating strategies.
- How will you protect me if a buyer’s financing falls through? Why: Learn contingency planning and fallback options.
Closing: How to choose After their answers, compare candidates on these factors: local sales results, marketing creativity, communication responsiveness, negotiation strength, and alignment with your timeline and financial goals. Trust and transparency are as important as metrics—if something feels vague or evasive, consider interviewing another realtor.
If you’d like, I can convert this into a downloadable checklist or tailor the questions to your specific market and property type. Which would you prefer?