Top 21 Essential Questions to Ask Before Hiring a REALTOR® to Buy or Sell a Home

Are you stuck thinking about what questions you should ask a REALTOR® before hiring them? Selecting the right REALTOR® is one of the most critical decisions you’ll make when buying or selling your home. 

Whether you’re navigating the market for the first time or looking to sell your property quickly, the realtor you choose will have a significant impact on the success of your real estate journey. To help ensure that you’re working with the best possible agent, here are 21 key questions that will reveal their expertise, communication style, and overall ability to meet your needs.

1. What is your area of specialization within real estate?

With any real estate firm, it’s important to dig deeper by understanding their specific expertise. Realtors often specialize in residential homes, condos, vacation properties, rural farmland, or even commercial real estate. The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) represents more than 160,000 real estate brokers, agents and salespeople working through 65 real estate boards and associations across Canada. 

With so many options, choosing the right real estate agent can be, well… challenging. Knowing their specialty ensures they have experience relevant to your needs, whether you’re a first-time buyer, selling a home in the suburbs, or investing in rental properties.

Make sure they click with what you’re looking for and match up to the specific niche segment that falls within your parameters of buying or selling.

2. How long have you been working in the local market?

Experience in the local market is invaluable. A realtor who’s worked for years in the area will know neighbourhood trends, school zones, and upcoming developments. NAR’s 2024 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers found that 90% of buyers would use their agent again or recommend them to others, highlighting the value of working with an experienced agent who knows the local scene inside and out. Their insights into St. Paul, Bonnyville, Elk Point or surrounding markets in the Lakeland can give you an edge in negotiations.

3. How many transactions did you close in the past year?

The number of homes a realtor has successfully bought or sold is a key indicator of their track record. According to NAR’s data, the median number of transactions in 2023 was 12 per year, giving you a benchmark for what to expect from an active realtor. While this number varies by location, agents with consistent transaction history tend to have better negotiation skills and more hands-on experience with current market conditions.

4. What types of properties have you sold recently?

If you’re selling a single-family home, and the realtor has primarily worked with condos or commercial spaces, their experience may not align with your needs. By asking this question, you ensure their recent experience reflects the type of transaction you’re pursuing. Realtors specializing in specific property types often have better resources and strategies tailored to those transactions.

5. How do you help clients prepare their homes for sale?

Preparing a home for sale involves more than just a sign in the yard. An experienced realtor will offer advice on staging, repairs, and curb appeal that can make a substantial difference in the final sale price. Some agents offer professional staging services, while others may have preferred contractors for touch-ups or upgrades. This is crucial, as well-staged homes typically sell faster and for more money than those that aren’t properly prepared.

6. What is your marketing strategy?

A great realtor knows that marketing goes beyond listing the home on MLS. As of 2024, 97% of home buyers used the internet during their home search process, according to NAR. Your realtor should have a comprehensive plan that includes online marketing, social media campaigns, virtual tours, and professional photography. Additionally, properties with professional photos sell 32% faster than those without, emphasizing the importance of high-quality visuals in modern real estate marketing.

7. How familiar are you with the current local market conditions?

You need a realtor who is in tune with local market trends—whether it’s a buyer’s market or a seller’s market. They should be able to provide a detailed overview of pricing trends in your neighborhood, the average days on market, and whether homes are selling above or below the listing price.

For instance, according to the Edmonton Real Estate Board (EREB) statistics from June 2024, the average ask to sell ratio for Year-to-Date (YTD) 2024 was 0.994, which is a 2.01% increase from the previous year. This suggests that most properties are selling close to their asking prices, indicating strong buyer interest and fair pricing strategies by sellers.

8. How do you determine the best price for a home?

Pricing a home correctly is both an art and a science. Your realtor should perform a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), comparing your home to similar properties recently sold in your area. Ask them to walk you through how they adjust for features like square footage, upgrades, and location. An accurate pricing strategy is essential to ensure your home sells quickly without leaving money on the table.

9. How do you handle multiple offers?

In competitive markets, managing multiple offers requires both skill and strategy. For sellers, a good realtor will review each offer beyond just the price, considering factors such as financing, closing timelines, and buyer contingencies. For buyers, you want an agent who can advise on how to make a competitive offer while protecting your interests. Multiple offers are common, so knowing how to navigate this situation is key.

10. How often will we communicate, and how will you update me?

A breakdown in communication can lead to unnecessary stress. Ask your realtor how often you’ll hear from them, whether they prefer email, phone calls, or text messages, and what kind of updates to expect during the transaction. Knowing this upfront will help manage expectations.

11. Do you work independently or as part of a team?

Some realtors are part of larger teams, where different people may handle your paperwork, marketing, or showings. It’s important to know who you’ll be communicating with day-to-day and whether you’ll have direct access to your primary agent or someone on their team.

12. Can you provide references from past clients?

Every reputable realtor should have a list of satisfied clients. Ask for testimonials or references and don’t hesitate to follow up with previous clients to inquire about their experiences. Did the realtor deliver on promises? How did they handle challenges?

13. How do you assist during the home inspection process?

For buyers, the home inspection is a critical moment. A skilled realtor will help you understand the inspection report and negotiate with the seller to either fix issues or adjust the price. Ask them about their process for handling inspection-related negotiations.

14. What are your fees and commissions?

Realtor commissions can vary, but you should always have clarity about what you’re paying. Typically, commissions range between 5-6% of the sale price in Alberta. Make sure to ask whether there are any additional costs for marketing, administrative work, or other expenses so there are no surprises at closing.

The average realtor commission percentage in Alberta appears to be around 7% on the first $100,000 and 3% on the remainder of the home’s selling price. However, there are a few important points to note:

• According to a recent study, the average commission a Realtor makes on a sale in Alberta is 2.01%. This figure likely represents the commission for one side of the transaction (either buyer’s or seller’s agent).
• The typical combined real estate commission for both buyer and seller agents in Alberta is 7% for the first $100K of the home’s price and 3% of the remaining balance above $100K. This is usually split 50/50 between the buyer’s and seller’s agents.
• There is no standard commission rate in Alberta. The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) states that each real estate agent has the flexibility to set their commission rates based on the services they provide to their clients.
• For the Edmonton region specifically (which C21 Poirier falls within), the average commission rate appears to be slightly higher at 2.17% per agent side

15. What happens if I’m not satisfied with your service?

Some realtors offer a performance guarantee, allowing you to terminate the contract if expectations aren’t met. Be sure to ask how long the contract lasts, what the expectations are, and whether you have flexibility to switch agents if things aren’t going well.

16. What’s your negotiation style?

Your realtor should be a skilled negotiator, advocating for your best interests, whether you’re buying or selling. Ask them for examples of past negotiations where they successfully secured a favourable deal for their clients. Do they prefer a collaborative approach or a more hardline stance? Knowing their style will give you confidence when it’s time to make or review an offer.

17. How do you handle post-sale issues?

Problems can arise after the sale is finalized, from title issues to repairs that weren’t disclosed. Ask how your realtor will assist you if any issues occur post-closing. A realtor who provides continued support can be invaluable during these moments.

18. How do you handle deals that fall through?

Deals can sometimes fall apart at the last minute due to financing issues or inspection surprises. Ask your realtor how they handle such situations and what backup plans they typically have in place to keep your transaction moving forward.

19. What technology tools do you use to assist clients?

In today’s fast-paced market, technology can provide an edge. According to NAR’s 2024 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 60% of buyers found virtual tours very useful in their home search. Ask your realtor whether they use tools like virtual tours, e-signature platforms, or market data analysis tools. These can make the buying or selling process more efficient and convenient.

20. Can you offer any advice on financing or mortgage options?

While realtors aren’t mortgage brokers, they often have relationships with trusted lenders and can recommend professionals who can help with financing. They can also guide you through the general process of securing a mortgage and understanding terms, though specific financial advice should come from a certified mortgage advisor.

21. What support or resources do you offer after the sale?

A good realtor isn’t just there to close the deal—they’re invested in your long-term success. According to NAR’s 2024 Profile, 90% of buyers said they would use their agent again, indicating satisfaction with continued support. Ask if they offer postafter the sale, such as recommendations for contractors, home maintenance professionals, or landscapers. Knowing that your realtor is still available for questions after the closing can provide peace of mind.

Choosing the Right Realtor

Asking these 21 questions will help you gain a clear understanding of a realtor’s experience, communication style, and dedication to client success. The right realtor should not only be well-versed in the technical aspects of real estate but also provide exceptional customer service, ensuring a smooth and successful transaction.

Your choice of realtor will have a significant impact on your real estate experience, whether you’re buying, selling, or both. By asking the right questions, you’ll ensure that your realtor has the expertise and commitment to guide you effectively through every step of the process. Make sure you’re working with someone who understands your goals, communicates clearly, and advocates for your best interests from start to finish. Reach out to Century 21 Poirier today to sell your home and be sure to ask us these questions as well!