8 Questions to Ask a Real Estate Agent Before You Hire One in 2026

September 14, 2026 · Tips · 6 min read

The right real estate agent saves you time, money, and stress — the wrong one costs all three. An interview before signing an agreement takes 30–45 minutes and surfaces the differences that don't appear on an agent's profile: local transaction depth, communication frequency, negotiation approach, and how they handle deals that go sideways. These eight questions are what experienced buyers and sellers wish they'd asked before signing.

1. How Many Homes Did You Close in This Neighborhood Last Year?

Hyperlocal transaction volume is the single most predictive indicator of whether an agent knows your specific market. An agent who closed 35 homes last year but only 2 in your zip code has broad activity but shallow local knowledge. What you want is an agent who knows which blocks sell faster, which floor plans go above asking, and which listings tend to sit — knowledge that comes from transaction frequency, not general experience.

What to listen for: specific numbers (not vague claims like "I'm very active in the area"), the price range of those transactions, and whether they represent buyers, sellers, or both.

2. What Is Your Average List-to-Sale Price Ratio?

For sellers, you want an agent whose listings close near or above asking price — a ratio at or above 98% is strong. For buyers, you want an agent whose clients typically close at or below asking price — a ratio at or below 99% indicates effective offer strategy.

This metric reveals two things: how well the agent prices listings (a house priced accurately sells faster and closer to asking) and how effectively they negotiate on behalf of clients. An agent with a 94% list-to-sale ratio as a listing agent is consistently either overpricing homes or not negotiating effectively. Request this number as a hard figure for the past 12 months, not a vague assurance.

3. How Do You Communicate, and How Often?

Communication expectations are the most common source of friction between agents and clients. An agent who prefers phone calls and works with a client who only reads texts will miss important updates at critical moments. Ask specifically:

• Do you communicate primarily by phone, text, or email?
• How quickly do you typically respond during business hours? After hours?
• Do you have a coordinator or team member who handles communication when you're unavailable?
• How will you keep me updated during active phases like offer review or pending contract?

The right answer is one that matches your own communication style and availability.

4. How Do You Approach Pricing a Home?

For sellers, pricing strategy is the most consequential decision of the transaction. A home priced accurately sells faster and generates more competition; a home priced too high accumulates days-on-market stigma that leads to price reductions and lower final sale prices.

Ask the agent to walk you through how they'd establish a list price for your home. A strong answer includes a comparative market analysis (CMA) methodology — specific comparable sales, adjustments for square footage and condition differences, and an honest read of where your home sits relative to the market. Be cautious of agents who tell you what you want to hear on price without showing their work. For a detailed look at how to evaluate a CMA, see our guide on how to read a comparative market analysis.

5. Do You Work with Both Buyers and Sellers Simultaneously?

Some agents specialize in one side of the transaction; others represent both. Agents managing multiple active listings have less bandwidth per client. The more important question: do they practice dual agency — representing both buyer and seller in the same transaction? Dual agency is legal in most states but creates an inherent conflict of interest. Some states require explicit written consent; others prohibit it entirely. Understand the implications before agreeing to it.

6. What Is Your Commission Structure and What Does It Cover?

Since the NAR settlement changes that took effect in August 2024, buyer's agent compensation is explicitly negotiated rather than assumed to pass through the seller's side of the transaction. Ask specifically:

• What is your listing fee as a percentage of sale price?
• What buyer's agent compensation do you recommend offering, and why?
• Are there any additional transaction fees or administrative charges?
• What services are included — staging consultation, professional photography, MLS listing, social media marketing?

Full-service listing agreements in most markets run 2.5–3.5% to the listing agent. Understanding the listing agreement types that govern these relationships is useful context — see our guide on listing agreement types explained.

7. Can You Share Three References from Recent Transactions?

References should be from clients in similar situations — if you're a first-time buyer, ask for references from other first-time buyers, not from an investor who moved multiple properties. Contact all three and ask the same questions:

• Did the agent communicate as promised throughout the process?
• Were there any surprises — with the transaction, the timeline, or the final terms?
• How did the agent handle a difficult moment in the deal (inspection issues, appraisal gaps, delayed closing)?
• Would you work with this agent again?

An agent who hesitates to provide references or provides only one is a yellow flag. References are standard in professional relationships of this scale.

8. What Happens If I'm Not Satisfied?

This question reveals the agent's confidence in their service and the terms of the agreement you're entering. Ask:

• What is the term of the listing or buyer representation agreement?
• Is there an early termination clause if our relationship isn't working?
• Under what circumstances would I owe a commission even if the home doesn't sell?

Listing agreements typically run 3–6 months; buyer representation agreements often run 30–90 days. Some agreements include a protection period that extends commission obligations after the agreement expires if you buy from someone introduced during the term. Reading the agreement before signing — and asking the agent to explain any clause you don't understand — is non-negotiable.

Red Flags to Watch For During the Interview

• Price flattery without data: An agent who immediately agrees with your hoped-for sale price without showing supporting comparables is telling you what you want to hear
• Vague answers on volume: "I'm very busy" is not a number. Push for actual transaction counts
• Rushing past the agreement: An agent who discourages you from reading the representation agreement before signing is protecting their interests, not yours
• No clear marketing plan for sellers: Ask specifically what happens on day 1, day 7, and day 30 of the listing. A professional has a defined process

Our directory gives you ranked agent profiles with transaction data, specialties, and verified information. Browse agents by city or search for real estate agents near you to start building a short list of candidates to interview. For more on making strong offers once you've chosen an agent, see our guide on escalation clauses in real estate.