What Questions To Ask When Interviewing A Buyer's Agent

1) BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE

How long have you been working in Real Estate? How many buyers have you helped? Do you specialize in a specific area or neighborhood? 

All of these are excellent questions to ask when interviewing a buyers agent. You want to make sure that you are hiring someone who is capable of handling the ups and downs of the process, as well as navigate your transaction from start to finish. Purchasing a home is a HUGE investment, so hiring someone who is familiar to the home buying process is crucial. 

Dakota's Answer : "I'm represented by a brokerage who has handled over 750+ transactions in the last few years alone, and though you can tell by my age that I haven't been in this industry for 20-30 years... I can assure you that's actually a good thing. You see, because i'm a young agent, I'm not stuck in old habits or ways that the older agents are.. which means i'm more in-tone and up to date with how the market operates in modern day, and how to win deals TODAY. In terms of specialization, Pensacola and the surrounding areas are like the back of my hand. I can tell you what each specific neighborhood has to offer, and help you find the right fit for you. Whether its a residential property or a  condo on the beach, i'm the agent for the job."

2) BUYING PROCESS

How do you help buyers find the right home? How do you handle multiple offers on a property? What are the most common challenges buyers face, and how do you help overcome them?

As a buyer looking to. purchase a home, its crucial to have an understanding of what your agent is going to be doing to help you find a home before you even think about hiring them. It's also important to understand what type of negotiation abilities that your potential agent possess to not only help secure your dream home, but to get it at the best possible price and terms. You want an agent that makes a difficult and confusing process, extremely easy and stress-free as possible.

Dakota's Answer : "As soon as you inquire with me that you're looking to purchase a property, we're gonna talk about what you're looking for. And if you don't know... that's okay, we'll find out! Once we can establish a base idea of what you're looking for, I have a software that will compile every property for sale that meets your needs and will send you automatic updates of anything new that comes on or off the market... Making you the FIRST to know about it! Then, as you're able to narrow features and specs about the dream home you're searching for, we can refine that list making sure it only shows what YOU like! 

In terms of multiple offers on a property, this is where I shine... I love negotiating for my clients and getting them the absolute best terms and price when it comes to a purchase, and that's what I strive to do! Schedule a call with me and I'll explain how I make the magic happen... without letting the other agents reading this 'see my cards'.

Now in terms of the most common challenges a buyer will face, this is typically the confusion that will come with what is going on during the process. Real Estate Transactions can seem extremely overwhelming with a lot of moving parts, so I do everything in my power to make it as simple and stress free as possible for everyone involved. At no point during the transaction will you feel lost or confused, and the transaction will never feel as if you're 'lost' or if its in 'limbo'... you'll know what's going on every step of the way, and what to expect next."

3) MARKET KNOWLEDGE

How familiar are you with the local market? Can you provide recent sales data for the specific area i'm interested in? What trends are you currently seeing in our housing market?

Lets face it... you don't want to hire a clueless or part-time agent. You want to hire someone who stays up to date with the market as much as the older generation stays up to date with The Young and The Restless. You also want to hire an agent who has the ability and knowledge to pass this information on to you during your housing search, in a way that makes sense and is easy to comprehend. Asking the agent you're interviewing questions like these will help to dictate how much they actually know about the current market.

Dakota's Answer : "Real Estate is my life, and I love having the opportunity to educate others on what is happening in the specific market that pertains to them. When I represent you as your agent, you will have access to every single listing, sale, pending closing, and expired property in your specific target area. You'll know exactly what is going on in that area, keeping you completely up-to-date and informed."

4) COMMUNICATION

How often will you provide updates on new listings or changes in the market? How do you prefer to communicate? Are you available to answer questions outside of regular business hours?

You wan't an agent that will keep you up to date with all of the changes in the market, as well as having you be the first to know of a new listing that fits your needs as soon as it hits the market. You also want to make sure that your agent will communicate with you in a manner that fits your communication style, because lets face it, if your agent only keeps you posted via email and you aren't someone who checks email as frequently as texts... you're going to have a bad experience.

Dakota's Answer : "You will have access to automatic updates on any new listings or changes that affect your specific market, making sure you're the first to know about absolutely anything. In terms of my preferred method of communication, I accommodate what is best for YOU. Whether it be phone calls, text messages, or email... you have my personal lines and can reach me at anytime of the day, no matter how early or late it is. I don't have 'regular business hours' , I'm open 24/7 and available when YOU need me."

5) PERSONAL FIT

What sets you apart from other agents? Why do you enjoy working with buyers?

When picking an agent, you need to make sure that they are a good fit for you. Avoid selecting a "cookie cutter" agent, who doesn't bring any added benefits to the table and ends up being mediocre. Instead, select an agent who you feel is not only a good fit personally (as you'll be spending substantial amount of time with this individual throughout the transaction process), but is also a strong suited professional because, in the end, real estate purchases are very large sums of money (and you want someone who is going to get you the best deal... at the best price... with the least stress). 

Dakota's Answer : "I'm not like most agents, and I take pride in that... when you choose me as your agent, your choosing someone who will put you and your needs over everyone else's and who's main objective is helping you find your dream home, while getting it at the absolute best price with the best terms. Working with me is a memorable experience that is impossible to regret."

6) CLIENT RELATIONSHIP

Can you provide references from any past clients of yours? How do you ensure that your client feels supported throughout the buying process?

One of the most important things in choosing an agent is the results they produce. It's can be easy for someone to "talk the talk"... but can they actually "walk the walk" ?? Asking for references from past clients is an excellent and easy way to validate that they can indeed do what they promise. It's also important to know that your agent is capable of guiding you though the transaction process with ease, and that it isn't their "first time around the block." Choose someone you have confidence can do what they say they can.

Dakota's Answer : "I would be glad to send you the numbers of past clients who would vouch for my services. What's better than reading reviews? Talking with the person who left them!"

7) RESOURCES AND SUPPORT

Do you have any recommendations for other professionals in the industry such as; mortgage brokers, contractors, or inspectors?

At the end of the day, your agent is supposed to be an expert in the field, which means they should know other professionals in the field and should be able to make the appropriate recommendations when those times arrive. If its your first time buying a house, it can be intimidating to know which mortgage company to select. Or if you're new to the area, you probably aren't going to know what inspectors to hire to do your WDO and general inspections. You need an agent that can guide you in the proper path and help you handle all of the small tasks that come into play when purchasing a home.

Dakota's Answer : "Whether you're needing to get pre-approved for an FHA, VA, or Conventional Loan... I have the perfect mortgage broker for each. Looking to flip a property but don't have a crew? I have guys for that. Are you buying an 'On-Grade' property with a 'crawl-space' and can't find an inspector who will do the inspection report? Good news, I have the guy for that too (and here's a hint, there's only one left in Pensacola still doing those types of home inspections). Needless to say, i'm a professional with a professional team. When you're looking to do business in Real Estate, it helps to have an agent who 'knows a guy', whatever the situation."

8) AVAILABILITY AND COMMITMENT

How many clients are you currently assisting? How much time can you dedicate to helping me find my home? Do you have a limit on how many homes you will show me?

Are you looking for an agent to hold your hand throughout the transaction, having a one-on-one experience with them the entire time? Do you want to avoid having to juggle contacts in your phone and dodge the annoying game of phone tag? Then you need to ensure that you avoid working with an agent that delegates all of their tasks to multiple other individuals. Don't be afraid to be upfront and ask if that particular agent you're interviewing has "showing agent's" who assist them, "transaction coordinators" that take over once you go under contract, or how many other clients they are currently working with. Nothing is worse than sending the perfect listing of your dream home to your agent, only to be told that you'll have to wait a week before he/she can show it to you... ultimately leading you to lose to another buyer who was able to view it and put an offer in before you. Make sure you know who you will be working with throughout your transaction and make sure that your agent has ample time to put you first in your house search.

Dakota's Answer : "Working with me is completely one-on-one. From start to finish I am your one and only point of contact... and it doesn't get any more simple than that. I provide you with a truly unique, white-glove experience that you as a client deserve! I also want you to take your time purchasing your home, at the end of the day this is YOUR home and nobody knows what YOU want more than YOU." 

9) FOLLOW-UP SUPPORT

How do you assist clients after there purchase is completed? Are you available to answer questions or concerns I may have after closing?

When asking these questions, the intent is to discover what kind of assistance you'll be getting from your agent after the transaction is complete, or to be blunt, after they've been paid. Find out what kind of services they provide to their past clients, and if they will still be willing to answer any questions you may now that you aren't an active client.

Dakota's Answer : "You aren't just a transactional client with me, you're a client for life... Which means that I'm always available for you no matter how many years have went by since your home purchase. Never feel like you can't reach out to me!"

10) PERSONAL SUCCESS STORIES 

Do you have any personal success stories you would be able to share with me from past clients that would help to illustrate your approach?

Feel free to ask the agent you're interviewing if they have any stories from past transactions they would be willing to share to help paint the picture of the service they provide. A successful agent who "practices what they preach" should be able to promptly recall of a specific story that helps demonstrate what type of agent they truly are.

Dakota's Answer : "I would be more than happy to schedule a call with you to share some stories that show both my demeanor and character. I'll even get you in touch with past clients and let them tell you their experiences of working with me!"