Guidance for Choosing a Realtor: 5 Questions to Ask
When you buy a home, your real estate agent will be a critical partner, so it’s important to choose wisely.
Finding the right agent when buying a property can go a long way in making the purchase deal a win-win situation for all involved. Besides their skills in negotiation, real estate agents bring a lot to the table in terms of their experience, contacts, knowledge, and so on.
So how can you possibly choose the right one from thousands of prospective agents? Here are some criteria that would give you a fair idea of what questions you need to ask while choosing an agent.
Benefits of Working with a Real Estate Agent
Working with a real estate agent offers a range of advantages for a homebuyer.
A good agent brings in-depth expertise about the local real estate market. You’ll need them to help you choose the right home in the right neighborhood at the right price. They will also prepare your offer, negotiate with the seller, and coordinate with other professionals you’ll need like a home inspector.
Throughout the transaction, your agent will manage the paperwork and keep the process on track, saving you time and reducing stress. With their negotiation skills and experience, a real estate agent can help you secure the best possible outcome for your home purchase, ensuring your interests are protected every step of the way.
Choosing a Real Estate Agent
Referrals from friends, family, or trusted contacts are a valuable starting point when choosing a realtor, as they help establish credibility and trust.
Research online reviews and ask for client references to assess the agent’s honesty, reliability, and past performance.
Don’t assume you need to work with the first agent you meet. It’s a good idea to speak with more than one agent to compare their experience, approach, and fit for your needs.
Think of this process like a job interview, and evaluate each agent’s ability, experience, and marketing strategies to ensure they are the best fit for your goals.
5 Questions to Ask a Real Estate Agent
Here are some important questions to keep in mind when you’re first speaking with an agent.
1. Do you have references I can call?
Spend a little time reviewing the agent’s customer testimonials. You can also request contact information for recent clients so you can speak with them directly.
Note how the agent responds to both positive and negative reviews online, as this can reveal their professionalism and responsiveness.
2. How long have you been a real estate agent?
Phrases such as “well experienced” and “amazing track record” are very common tags that agents use to promote themselves. But the question is what real experience do they have? A strong job history and on-the-job experience are key indicators of a good agent.
Real estate professionals must pass an agent or broker licensing exam before they can work with clients, ensuring they have a foundational understanding of the homebuying process. There is a difference between an agent and a broker: while both are licensed to assist with real estate transactions, a broker has additional education, responsibilities, and may supervise agents.
Also research or ask questions about the agent’s experience. The longer an agent has been in the job, the more knowledgeable they are likely to be about the local market. Buyers should look for agents with at least two years of experience and a high volume of recent closings. An agent who has been in the industry for a decade should have an even more solid knowledge of the market dynamics.
Agents should be willing to provide information about their job performance. This will help determine how active the agent is – you don’t want to end up with an agent who has been doing business for “20 years” but has only closed deals on five homes.
3. How familiar are you with the local market?
It is especially important for homebuyers to recruit a Realtor with deep local market knowledge, including pricing trends, market demographics, and inventory, particularly in the area where they plan to buy.
A knowledgeable agent will understand which streets and housing communities are most desirable, as well as which ones may be best avoided. They should also be familiar with local market trends, pricing dynamics, and buyer competition.
Whether purchasing locally or from a distance, buyers benefit greatly from working with a Realtor who has strong, firsthand knowledge of the specific area in question.
4. Can you explain the homebuying process?
Be sure that your agent knows the ins and outs of the business—it’s their bread and butter.
A qualified buyer’s agent should be able to provide a comparative market analysis to help you understand a home’s true value and determine whether an asking price is reasonable.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions based on what you’ve learned through your own research. If an agent seems less informed than you are, it may be a sign to look for a more qualified professional to represent you as a buyer.
5. Do you work with a team?
In a vast industry like real estate, successful agents are those who are well connected with fellow professionals. It often comes down to who they know, not just what they know.
For homebuyers, a well-connected agent can help source suitable properties, coordinate with financiers, inspectors, and attorneys, and skillfully negotiate on your behalf. From identifying homes for sale to managing negotiations and navigating legal requirements, a strong buyer’s agent handles the heavy lifting, making it that much easier for you.
Consider Interviewing Multiple Agents
Finding the right real estate agent is a critical step in selling your home, and interviewing multiple agents is one way to ensure you make an informed decision.
By meeting with at least three agents, you can compare their qualifications, experience, and approach to selling homes in your local real estate market.
This process allows you to assess each agent’s ability to market your property, communicate effectively, and instill confidence in their services.
Pay Attention to Personality and Responsiveness
Choosing the right real estate agent isn’t just about experience or sales numbers, it’s also about how well they communicate and whether their personality is a good fit for you. Speaking with multiple agents gives you the opportunity to see how responsive, attentive, and approachable each one is from the very beginning. Notice how quickly they return calls or emails, how clearly they answer your questions, and whether they genuinely listen to your concerns.
During these conversations, pay close attention to how comfortable you feel interacting with each agent. Do they explain things patiently? Do they seem proactive and organized, or rushed and distracted? A strong agent should make you feel confident, heard, and supported throughout the process.
Comparing several agents helps you identify red flags such as poor communication, lack of follow-up, or a personality that doesn’t align with yours, so you can ultimately choose someone you trust to guide you through the transaction with professionalism and care.
A Solution: How to Work With Guidance Home Services
Would you like some help choosing a trusted real estate agent? Meet Guidance Residential’s sister company, Guidance Home Services.
They simplify your search for a qualified agent by pre-screening real estate agents in your area and asking all of the questions for you.
You can use the website to verify agent credentials and expertise, and then you contact pre-screened agents directly. They’re ready to serve you. (97% of homebuyers recommend this!)
Buying Your Home With Guidance Residential and Guidance Home Services
Together, Guidance Residential and Guidance Home Services smooth the entire homebuying process for you, from choosing a home to financing it.
Here’s how it works:
1. Get pre-approved
Apply online to get pre-approved for financing. This is an important step to take before asking agents to show you homes. It demonstrates to agents that you are serious about buying, and it shows sellers that you have financing lined up, which makes it more likely that they will accept your offer.
2. Connect with a real estate agent
Once you’re pre-approved for financing, the GHS concierge team will match you with a pre-screened local real estate expert who will help you find that dream home. It is still a good idea to speak with potential agents, rather than settling for the first agent you meet. After comparing their qualifications and approach, decide which agent best fits your needs and circumstances.
3. Shop for a home
Shop and submit an offer on a home that’s right for you. The GHS concierge team will monitor the process to ensure a complete and smooth journey towards closing.
4. Close
Close on your new home and rejoice in becoming a homeowner!
Get started with Guidance Home Services today.
Start Your Homebuying Journey
Guidance Residential remains the #1 U.S. Islamic home financing provider, with more than 40,000 families assisted over more than 20 years. Learn more about our co-ownership model of Islamic home financing, and get started on your home finance journey today.
Your Guidance Residential Account Executive is here to help with any questions. Looking to refinance or purchase? Have a friend or family member who is looking for a home? Call 1.866.Guidance, or start an application today.
Originally published April 2015, updated December 2025.
