14 questions for your real estate agent

A real estate agent plays an important role in your campaign to find and buy a new home. To make sure the agent performs to your standards, ask these important questions.

Buying or selling a home

1. What are your fees and contract provisions?

Before signing a contract with an agent, make sure you understand their fee structure and terms. If selling, what commission do they charge? How long does the agreement last? Are there any fees if the contract is terminated early?

2. What's your real estate experience?

Ask your agent both how long and where they've worked in real estate. You want someone with specific expertise in the neighborhoods and price range that interest you. That way, they can give you sound guidance during your home search.

3. What are your real estate credentials?

Ensure your agent is licensed in your state. Find out about their professional education or industry designations. Are they a member of the National Association of REALTORS®? Did they earn any local or national industry honors? Take some time to learn what industry titles and credentials mean so you will know how to identify the best real estate agent.

4. Can you provide references?

Employers ask for references, and so should you. Ask your agent for names of previous clients. What issues have they faced on prior transactions? Did they anticipate possible problems before they arose? How did they address unforeseen setbacks?

5. Have you served military clients before?

This is a good question to ask your agent if you're buying or selling a home due to a military move, or if you plan to fund a home purchase with a Veterans Administration, or VA, loan. If you are using a VA Home Loan, make sure they have experience or access to the information they need regarding the VA appraisal, minimum property requirements, and specific transaction documents. Do they understand key differences between a VA loan versus a conventional loan?

6. How do you use technology in your work?

You'll want to be confident your agent has the skills to put all available resources to work for you. Most real estate research and client communication is done electronically. From virtual showings to remote closings, technology is changing homebuying. Can they navigate online listings efficiently? Do they offer the option of a remote closing? Do they use digital signatures on documents? Look for an agent who uses technology to make their processes smoother.

7. How will you communicate and when are you available?

Set clear expectations about both the frequency of communications and preferred methods. How will your agent notify you of new listings or offer status? Discuss whether you'd like them to be present at closing.

8. Which parties are you representing?

Get a clear understanding of who the real estate agent represents. When one agent represents both the buyer and the seller in a purchase, they may not have incentive to arrange the best deal for either party. Ask whether they focus on acting as a buyer's agent or a listing agent.

Buying a home

9. What do you like about this home?

An agent who understands your needs and concerns should be able to identify the features and benefits most relevant to you. They should carefully select homes for your consideration. If there are few homes available that meet all your search criteria, they may present a selection of options that satisfy your most important preferences to help you weigh all your options. They may also include properties a little outside your original boundaries, especially if you find yourself searching for a new home in a seller's market.

10. Why is the seller moving?

When buying a home, your agent may be able to find out from the seller's agent about the reason for selling. Ask your agent to identify the seller's motivation and time frame for selling. This information can help with negotiation tactics. It could also uncover undesirable things about the house, like a hard commute, disappointing schools or troublesome neighbors.

11. Who are your connections?

One of the best benefits an agent can provide is their connections. A good real estate agent is essential, but you will also need other players on your home buying team. Do they have relationships with mortgage specialists or attorneys? Do they have contacts with repair or improvement professionals? Who do they know that could help you buy or sell your home faster? If your agent has given you good answers to the questions above, ask them to recommend other professionals you may need.

Selling a home

12. What are your home sales statistics?

Check on how many properties your agent has helped clients buy and sell. How long does it take them to find a home for a buyer? How fast do their listings sell? How close is their sale price to the original asking price? Which price points have made up the bulk of their deals? Look for an agent who can accurately determine how much a home is worth.

13. What are some drawbacks of this house?

This question can reveal two things about an agent. It will show their knowledge of the property and neighborhood. It will also reveal how sincere they are in serving your best interest. If they've listened to your wants and done their homework on the property, they'll be able to tell you where the house may fall short of your wish list.

14. How do you plan to market my listing?

If you're a seller, you want an agent who does more than just list the home and wait for inquiries. Ask your agent how you can minimize your house's time on the market by properly preparing your home for sale. Once your house is listed, what else will your agent do to ensure a timely sale at a good price? They may use tactics like direct mail, open houses, broker's open houses, or social media to get buyers interested. Some agents will even get listings featured on real estate TV shows. Perhaps they do professional staging to make your home stand out. Look for an agent who has a robust marketing plan.

The USAA Advice Center provides general advice, tools and resources to guide your journey. Content may mention products, features or services that USAA Federal Savings Bank does not offer. The information contained is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to represent any endorsement, expressed or implied, by USAA or any affiliates. All information provided is subject to change without notice.