Here are the top 5 questions you should ask a buyer’s agent when selecting one:
1. What experience do you have in the market I’m buying into?
- Ensure the agent has a deep understanding of your target market, including local property trends, neighborhoods, and price points.
- Follow-Up: Can you share examples of recent properties you’ve helped clients purchase in this area?
2. What is your fee structure, and are there any additional costs?
- Clarify whether they charge a fixed fee or a percentage of the purchase price.
- Follow-Up: Are there extra charges for services like property inspections or auction bidding?
3. Do you work exclusively for buyers, or do you also represent sellers?
- Look for a buyer’s agent who works exclusively for buyers to avoid potential conflicts of interest.
- Follow-Up: How do you ensure your recommendations are unbiased?
4. What’s your process for finding and evaluating properties?
- Understand how they search for properties, including access to off-market opportunities.
- Follow-Up: How do you assess whether a property is a good investment or meets my needs?
5. How will you keep me updated throughout the buying process?
- Confirm how often and through what methods they communicate (e.g., phone, email, in-person meetings).
- Follow-Up: What steps do you take to ensure I’m informed and involved in the decision-making process?
Bonus Tip:
Ask for testimonials or references from past clients to gauge their reliability and success rate.