Buying A Home? - Buyer Questions

Buying A Home?-Buyer Questions

There are certain questions all homebuyers should ask. Most savvy buyers interview buyer's agents before deciding on whom to hire. Take a look below at the list I created for the best questions to ask an agent before starting the home buying process.

• Are You Licensed?

Homebuyers do not want to work with someone who does this as a hobby. Ask the agent if she/he is full-time and licensed by the National Association of Realtors.

• Are You Knowledgeable In The Areas I'm Interested In?

There is no right or wrong answer to this question, but it is best to work with an agent who is familiar with the area. A good agent will know if a home's list price is accurate, as well as the general price range for homes in the area.

• Do You Typically Work In My Price Range? 

A good agent should be comfortable working in a variety of prices. However, partnering with an agent who sells homes in the millions might not be the best partnership if you are interested in homes around $250,000. That agent expertise might not have the right connections to buy your dream home.

•  How Will You Keep Me Informed?

This is your personal preference. This is one of the most important questions to ask when interviewing agents because matching communication styles are essential.

• What's Your Negotiation Style?

Homebuyers want the best deal when buying a home. Negotiation strategy is one of the most important ways your agent can add value. As a buyer, you want to access your agent's level of competence and whether their approach is a good fit for you.

• Do You Have Partnerships With Home Service Professionals?

Homebuyers will probably need to have contacts of a good real estate lawyer, home inspector, appraiser and much more. It can significantly decrease the amount of stress you are under if they already have connections in the industry and you do not have to seek these people out yourself.

• Can I Talk To Your Past Clients?

A good agent has nothing to hide, and if they have a good track record, they should have more than enough previous clients to vouch for them. Also, you can usually find out what an agent former clients think about them from their online presence.