STEP 1 TO BUYING A HOME: Important Questions to Ask Before Hiring a REALTOR

First off, congratulations on your decision to buy a home and put down roots! It’s a big step and you’re starting off on the right foot by interviewing several agents before picking one to represent you. Finding a Real Estate Agent is an incredibly important part of the process.

If you don’t know where to start, ask friends and family for referrals to agents they’ve used and loved. Even then though it’s still important to meet several agents and pick the agent who is going to be best for you. Then reach out to the Agent and set up an appointment. Take note of how quickly they get back to you. If they don’t return your email or phone call within 24 hours, I’d move on and find someone else. In real estate, getting back to someone quickly, particularly when you’re negotiating a deal, is crucial. If your agent can’t be bothered to get back to you quickly what else are they not going to bother to do?

When it comes to the actual meeting, if convenient for you, we recommend meeting the agent at their office to see what kind of environment they work in. Is their office professional? Is the receptionist welcoming as this can say a lot about the office in general? Is the agent on time to meet you?

As a Buyer, here are the questions we think you should ask a prospective agent:

1. What do you know about me?
2. Are you a full-time REALTOR®?
3. How long have you been in real estate?
4. How many clients have you worked with this year?
5. What tools do you have especially for first-time home Buyers?
6. What areas do you primarily work?
7. Will you be showing me homes or will your assistant?
8. Are you willing to work with me if I find a home FSBO?
9. How do you negotiate deals?
10. Do you attend the home inspection?
11. Do you handle the inspection negotiations?
12. Do you attend the walkthrough?
13. Do you attend the closing?
14. How do you feel about dual agency?
15. What qualities differentiate you from other REALTORS®?

Here are our responses so you can see how the REALTOR® you’re interviewing stacks up.

1. What do you know about me?

I thoroughly researched you on Facebook, LinkedIn, and the internet before we met. Meeting you is the equivalent of going on a job interview for me. I would never show up to a job interview and not know everything I could about the company with which I’m interviewing. The same should be true of this interview. If I don’t research you before we meet the first time, how can you trust me to thoroughly research the property or sellers?

2. Are you a full-time Realtor?

Yes, absolutely.

3. How long have you been in real estate?

I followed in my Father’s footsteps and decided to enter real estate in 2013 and then in 2017 I acquired my Designated Broker License.

4. How many clients have you worked with this year?

Over 115 since 2015.

5. What tools do you have especially for first-time home buyers?

Doorsteps

6. What areas do you primarily work?

I work all over Whatcom County and the nearby counties of Skagit and Island.

7. Will you be showing me homes or will your assistant?

Either myself or someone from our team.

8. Are you willing to work with me if I find a home FSBO?

Yes

9. How do you negotiate deals?

I thoroughly research the comps on the property as well as the sellers. It’s important to know why the sellers are moving, what kinds of jobs they have, etc. as it helps determine a better negotiation plan.

10. Do you attend the home inspection?

Yes, of course.

11.  Do you handle the inspection negotiations?

Yes, with great pleasure! Going to bat for my clients really fuels my fire.

12. Do you attend the walk-through?

Yes, absolutely.

13. Do you attend the closing?

Yes, always.

14. How do you feel about dual agency?

I do not believe dual agency is fair to our clients and do not participate in dual agency. I think it is impossible to fairly represent both the seller and buyer in a single transaction and will instead refer one party to a different agent. Remember, I always do what is best for you, not what is best for our own pocketbook.

15. What qualities differentiate you from other Realtors?

I am available 24/7. I give my full attention to our clients and am available for anything you need from contract to close. I always have your best interests at heart. I am honest, even if that means telling you something you don’t want to hear. I am a master negotiator. I can refer you to the best inspectors and attorneys in town.

Need additional help? Feel free to email us anytime at andi@andidyer(dot)com.

Best of luck!

Questions? Contact us at andi@andidyer(dot)com or 360-734-6479.