Interviewing a real estate agent isn’t just a formality.
It’s your golden ticket to a successful home buying or selling experience.
While finding a real estate agent is the first step, many buyers and sellers skip the crucial process of interviewing prospective agents.
This often happens because it feels like an unnecessary or tedious step –– or they’re unsure how to conduct a Realtor interview.
So they end up hiring the agent they “like” the most.
And not necessarily the one best qualified and matched to their needs.
But remember that you’re about to make one of the biggest financial transactions of your life.
The stakes are too high not to vet the agent you’re trusting to guide you through your real estate transaction.
Here’s how to interview a Realtor in three steps –– and what to watch out for.
Step 1: Assess the agent during a phone call (key questions to ask)
The first step in interviewing a real estate agent is starting with a quick phone call.
Why?
Because it’s a low-pressure way to determine whether the agent is worth meeting face-to-face.
Ask these questions
Start the conversation with a brief introduction.
Then ease into asking about their expertise, approach to working with clients, and how they explain commission and fees.
How well do you know the local market and this area?
You don’t need the agent with the most sales in your area.
But you should make sure that any potential real estate agent has some level of local insight.
Because local knowledge helps agents understand nuances like neighborhood trends, school districts, and community amenities — factors that can significantly impact the price of a home.
Listen for how their insights about the area correlate with home prices in your market.
How many homes have you helped buy or sell recently?
A Realtor might have years of experience and hundreds of transactions under their belt.
But if they lack recent experience?
They’re much more likely to struggle with providing accurate pricing guidance.
There’s no “magic number” here…
But experienced real estate agents typically have at least:
- ~10 sales per year in medium- to high-cost markets
- ~20-25 sales per year in more affordable regions.
Ask how many of those transactions were with buyers versus sellers to ensure their experience aligns with your situation.
Do you work independently, or are you part of a team?
Some real estate agents work independently, while others operate as part of a team.
Neither approach is inherently better.
But it’s important to understand how they handle client relationships.
Pay attention to not just their initial response, but also how they:
- Explain their workflow
- Ensure consistent communication throughout the process.
Can you explain how your commission structure works?
Asking about how the real estate commission works ensures there are no surprises later in the process.
Listen for a clear and confident explanation that outlines:
- How the agent gets paid
- If you pay the commission
- Any additional costs
- How those fees contribute to delivering value.
A vague or evasive answer on the initial call can save you from wasting time meeting with a Realtor who may not be as transparent as you need them to be.
Determine if the agent is worth meeting
Take the opportunity during the phone call to gauge whether the agent seems like a potential fit.
Pay attention to their communication style — did they come across as clear, professional, and approachable?
Were they confident in answering your questions?
The goal of interviewing a Realtor on an initial call is to “pre-screen” the agent.
So don’t continue the interview process unless their responses and demeanor align with your needs.
Trust your instincts and schedule a meeting only if you feel confident in their abilities.
Step 2: Meet the agent face-to-face (key questions to ask)
Once you’ve determined the agent is worth meeting, schedule a face-to-face meeting in a convenient and professional setting.
For buyers, this might be at their office, a coffee shop, or even your home.
For sellers, the initial meeting is almost always held at the property.
A formal meeting allows you to dive deeper into the agent’s expertise, strategies, and approach to your unique situation.
What to discuss during the meeting
Take the time to prepare for the interview by outlining important topics and compiling a list of questions to ask the prospective agent.
During the meeting, steer the conversation toward topics that matter most to you.
These could be things such as negotiating, pricing, showings, and more.
This is also an opportunity to address any lingering questions or concerns from your initial phone call.
And be sure to pay attention to their body language during the interview.
If an agent avoids eye contact, fidgets, or frequently checks their phone, it could be a sign that you’re talking with the wrong person.
Questions for sellers
Most home sellers want a real estate agent who will get them the best price –– and in the shortest amount of time possible.
Here are a few important questions to ask during the interview.
For a more thorough list, here are 11 crucial questions to ask a Realtor when selling.
1. How will you market my home to the right buyers?
There’s a reason why “market my home” and “the right buyers” are central to this question.
Because a solid real estate marketing strategy must address both.
The agent you’re interviewing should clearly explain who they believe the ideal buyer for your home is and how they plan to target them.
The “how” should include things such as:
- Their network of real estate agents
- Listing on the MLS (multiple listing service)
- Private showings and open houses
- A social media strategy
- Syndication to real estate portals
- Home staging
- Professional photos
- Brochures and flyers.
2. How do you price a home to attract offers while maximizing value?
Setting a competitive price to attract buyers while maximizing the home’s value is both an art and a science.
A strong real estate agent should clearly articulate their approach.
You should hear how they contrast recent comparable sales with your home’s unique features.
But the key to this question is tying in local market trends.
Because understanding current price movements and average time on the market is essential for pricing a home competitively.
3. How do you handle negotiations to ensure I get the best possible price?
Negotiation skills can make or break a real estate transaction.
So it’s crucial to understand the agent’s approach.
A skilled Realtor will demonstrate confidence, creativity, and adaptability –– key traits of an effective negotiator.
Consider it a major warning sign if the agent can’t articulate a clear plan or seems overly passive.
And if you want to really test their skills, ask how they handle counteroffers and multiple offers.
Their response should give you a solid sense of their expertise and ability to advocate on your behalf.
Questions for buyers
Choosing an agent who can help you find the right home at the best price requires a careful approach.
These three questions can help you identify the agent who can deliver the results you’re looking for.
1. How do you make my offer stand out to sellers?
How an offer is presented to a seller can greatly impact whether it gets accepted — or even considered.
Ask the agent how they make their client’s offers stand out.
A strong approach should include gathering feedback from the seller’s agent before crafting the offer to align with the seller’s priorities.
Listen for details on how they structure the offer to make it as compelling as possible.
Do they address specific seller needs?
Include the buyer’s pre-approval letter and proof of funds?
Ensure the buyer acknowledges any seller disclosures?
Perhaps even add a professional cover letter?
A well-organized, professionally presented offer can often outperform a higher-priced one that’s poorly assembled.
2. How do you help buyers determine their offer price?
Determining the right offer price is a delicate balance between strategy and knowledge.
And a skilled buyer’s agent should walk you through the process with clarity.
Ideally, you want to hear how they evaluate key factors such as:
- How long the property has been listed
- Whether the seller has received or is entertaining other offers
- The home’s condition.
A strong real estate agent will also assess comparable sales and weigh current inventory levels.
Your agent can’t decide what price you should offer for a home.
But they should provide you with the insights needed to make a confident offer that aligns with your budget.
3. How do you handle issues that come up during a property inspection?
Want to know if an agent might have your best interests at heart when buying a home?
Ask how they handle unforeseen issues that come up in a property inspection.
Their response can reveal whether they prioritize your needs or are simply focused on closing the deal.
Look for confidence and a clear strategy for navigating inspection-related challenges.
A strong agent will explain how they’ll review the report with you before negotiating for repairs or requesting a price adjustment.
But a trustworthy agent will also remind you of your option to walk away.
Step 3: Conduct a final evaluation (key questions to ask)
If the agent feels like a good fit after your in-person interview, the next step is to complete your evaluation.
But this step isn’t about making a commitment just yet.
It’s about completing the interview process to clarify your decision.
Reflect on the face-to-face interview
Use a pros and cons list to assess how well-suited each agent is to meet your needs as a buyer or seller.
Evaluate real estate agents based on these key factors:
- Approach: For buyers, consider their strategies for home searches, submitting offers, and addressing inspection issues. For sellers, compare marketing plans, pricing strategies, and negotiation strategies for securing the best sale price.
- Personal connection: Did you feel a good rapport? This is crucial for such an important financial decision.
- Professionalism: Were they punctual, prepared, and knowledgeable about your local market?
- Responses: Did they address your concerns clearly and respond promptly?
- Expertise: Did any agent stand out for their experience in your price range or property type?
- Fees: Does their level of service and experience justify their commission rate?
Ask final questions
Reach out to the agent again to let them know you’re still considering your options and have a few more questions.
You can do this by phone call or email.
These final inquiries can help ensure the agent you hire values your business and is fully committed to meeting your needs.
Why should I choose you?
This question cuts right to the chase.
You want to know how the agent is different from other real estate agents.
And what you want is a clear, confident response that highlights their strengths and/or expertise.
Maybe they consistently sell homes 20% faster than average (and can provide proof).
Or maybe they’ve recently helped several buyer clients get their offers accepted below the listing price.
It’s okay if the agent’s answer starts with something like, “I’ll work harder for you than anyone.”
But it shouldn’t end there –– because that’s too vague.
They should elaborate on their reply by describing in more detail “how” they’re different.
How many clients are you working with right now?
Want to improve the chances of your transaction receiving the attention it deserves?
Ask the agent how many clients they’re currently working with before making your decision.
Too many clients might indicate that they can’t prioritize your sale.
But too few can hint at inexperience.
And though an experienced real estate agent with fewer clients is generally better…
Don’t get fixated on the number.
What’s most important is how they respond to your question.
Do they just spout off a number?
Or do they explain in detail how they’ll prioritize your sale or purchase?
Being client-centric is about showing you how they’ll tailor their time, resources, and strategies to meet your specific needs.
What’s the process if I decide to hire you?
Discussing this question with a prospective real estate agent is a smart move.
It provides valuable insight into what comes next in the process and reveals how organized the agent is.
A well-prepared real estate professional will respond with a clear and detailed overview of the immediate next steps.
They might also provide you with a high-level overview of the process — from initial paperwork to closing.
So listen for a comprehensive answer that demonstrates whether the Realtor has a plan.
And if they’re capable of guiding you through the intricacies of buying or selling a property.
Red flags to watch out for when interviewing a Realtor
Spotting warning signs during a Realtor interview is crucial.
That’s because the wrong agent can negatively impact your transaction and cost you time, money, and peace of mind.
Here are three key red flags to be aware of when interviewing Realtors.
Poor communication skills
Beware of real estate agents with lackluster communication skills.
Why?
Because it usually reveals that an agent isn’t genuinely interested in your needs.
Spotting this is easy if you know what to look for:
- Poor eye contact
- Lack of interest in your goals or concerns
- Regular interruptions or talking over you
- Frequent phone distractions
- Slow replies (over half a day).
Think about it…
If an agent can’t give you their undivided attention when they’re trying to earn your business?
They most likely won’t give you their attention later.
Presenting an opportunity for dual agency
During the interview process, some real estate agents will make a subtle pitch to represent both the buyer and the seller in the same transaction.
Spotting this can be tricky.
But here’s how it typically unfolds…
A buyer might hear promises from a buyer’s agent like, “I have a client willing to sell off-market.”
A seller may hear statements from a listing agent such as, “I have a buyer looking for a home like yours.”
You want to avoid these “Realtor tricks” at all costs.
The agent’s motive?
Securing two commissions from one sale.
Whether you’re buying a home or selling one, steer clear of agents with a higher-than-average track record of acting as a dual agent.
This statistic is the number one RED FLAG.
It generally indicates a lack of integrity because an agent who represents both sides isn’t able to look out for your best interests.
In other words, those agents have a history of prioritizing earning more commission above their clients’ best interests.
Want to avoid this?
Make sure any prospective real estate agent you’re interviewing has a below-average percentage of transactions where they acted as a dual agent.
Overpromising
Some real estate agents overpromise when interviewing with a potential client.
Here’s how these scenarios might look:
For buyers
A real estate agent may brag about “exclusive access to properties other agents don’t have.”
This creates an illusion of scarcity.
But in reality…
Most listings are open to all agents.
Being swayed by this tactic can lead you to hire the wrong agent.
For sellers
A seller’s agent might intentionally inflate their recommended listing price.
This is done to get a seller excited about pocketing more money, but it sets unrealistic expectations.
Because once your house doesn’t sell…
They’ll advise you to lower the asking price.
Falling for this ploy can hurt your sale because your home’s appeal may tank once it’s been sitting on the market.
Meanwhile, the agent still pockets their commission check as long as your property sells.
These strategies can breed opportunities that don’t materialize.
And that potentially leads to disappointment, financial loss, and unnecessary stress.
Which is why you should avoid choosing a Realtor who suggests an unrealistic price for your home.
Next steps after interviewing real estate agents
Once you’ve completed the interview process, take a moment to reflect on your interactions and decide which agent is the best fit for you.
Think back to how the agent communicated during your conversations — did they answer your questions with confidence, clarity, and a deep understanding of the market?
A great agent should provide thoughtful, well-informed responses that inspire trust in their ability to guide you.
Consider their overall communication style, market expertise, and how effectively they addressed your specific concerns.
Did they demonstrate a genuine interest in your goals as a buyer or seller?
These factors go beyond a simple pros and cons list — they’re key indicators of whether the agent is truly equipped to support you through one of the most significant financial decisions of your life.
If you’re a seller, our no-cost agent matching service can help make this decision even easier.
At SoldNest, we connect sellers with top local agents who are best qualified to help them achieve the maximum price for their home.
Already planning to interview agents?
There’s a good chance we can provide our unbiased feedback so you can know if the agent you’re meeting with has the right qualifications (included in our no-cost service).
FAQs
How many real estate agents should I interview?
You should consider interviewing a minimum of two real estate agents, but aim for three. Interviewing multiple candidates allows you to gauge the market knowledge, experience, and interpersonal skills of each realtor. Three interviews can give you a balanced perspective: One real estate agent might stand out as the clear choice, one might not align with your preferences, and the third agent can act as a tiebreaker of sorts. While interviewing more than three real estate agents can provide even more insight, it can also make the decision more complicated and time-consuming.
Can I interview two Realtors from the same company?
Yes, you can absolutely interview two Realtors from the same company. The brokerage an agent is affiliated with has minimal influence on their individual home selling or buying strategies. Real estate agents are essentially self-employed, and their unique approach, experience, and skill set play a far greater role in their performance than the company they’re affiliated with.
Is it OK to work with multiple real estate agents?
Working with multiple real estate agents is typically not advisable or practical. For buyers, if you’ve signed an exclusive contract, you’re bound to one agent. Even without a contract, working with more than one agent isn’t standard practice. Most real estate agents will sever ties if they know you’re also working with another buyer’s agent. For sellers, working with multiple Realtors isn’t feasible since most require an exclusive listing agreement before initiating the selling process.
