How many agents should I interview?

There is no required number. Speaking with more than one candidate can help you compare communication, experience with your transaction type, availability, and proposed plan.

What should I verify before signing an agreement?

Confirm the agent's current license with the relevant state regulator, then read the agreement's scope, duration, compensation, exclusivity, termination terms, and any duties you are accepting.

Can an agent's office address tell me where they work?

An office address identifies a business location; it does not by itself establish an agent's service area or recent experience in a particular neighborhood.

Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Real Estate Agent

October 3, 2026 · Guide · 2 min read

Choosing an agent is easier when every candidate answers the same questions. A polished profile or a referral can help you build a shortlist, but your interview should establish whether the agent's experience and working style fit your transaction.

Describe the transaction you actually have

Explain whether you are buying, selling, relocating, investing, or still deciding. Share the property type, likely timing, budget range, and the locations you are considering. Then ask for a recent example that resembles your situation. Ask what was similar, what was different, and what the agent personally handled. A relevant example is more useful than a large, unexplained transaction count.

Ask for a concrete work plan

For a buyer, ask how the agent will identify suitable homes, arrange tours, evaluate comparable sales, coordinate inspections, and explain an offer. For a seller, ask how pricing recommendations are developed, what marketing work is included, how showings are handled, and how offers are compared beyond headline price. Ask who will answer day-to-day questions if the agent is unavailable.

Make communication and geography specific

Ask which neighborhoods the agent has worked in recently and what kinds of transactions they handled there. Ask how often you will receive updates, which channels to use, and the usual response window. An office address or a broad “serves the metro area” statement is not evidence of recent work in every nearby community. Request examples you can assess.

Read the agreement before you commit

Ask the agent to explain the services, compensation, duration, exclusivity, termination process, and any circumstances where additional costs could apply. Terms and required disclosures vary by jurisdiction and agreement. Take time to read the document and ask questions about anything unclear before signing.

Verify identity and license independently

Match the agent's name and license number against the appropriate state regulator's public lookup. Check that the record is current and that the person you interviewed is the person named in the agreement. A license record supports credential facts; it does not prove sales results, client satisfaction, availability, or expertise in a particular area.

Use our agent directory to assemble a shortlist, then use the same questions with each candidate. The goal is a documented fit, not a ranking based on one number.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many agents should I interview?: There is no required number. Speaking with more than one candidate can help you compare communication, experience with your transaction type, availability, and proposed plan.
What should I verify before signing an agreement?: Confirm the agent's current license with the relevant state regulator, then read the agreement's scope, duration, compensation, exclusivity, termination terms, and any duties you are accepting.
Can an agent's office address tell me where they work?: An office address identifies a business location; it does not by itself establish an agent's service area or recent experience in a particular neighborhood.