Ask These 6 Questions When Choosing a Buyer’s Agent

Buying a home can be exciting and a bit overwhelming. A buyer’s agent will guide you through the process, find homes that suit your needs, help you craft a competitive offer, communicate with the seller’s agent, negotiate on your behalf, and much more. While there are many solid real estate agents, you want a buyer’s agent whose expertise will serve you. Your communication styles and personalities should also fit well together. Here are some helpful questions to ask a buyer’s agent.

After researching your potential buyer’s agent online, reading their bio, viewing their sold listings and online reviews, see how their background and industry experience align with your needs. For example, if they’re a parent who has raised their kids in the community where you want to live, and they’ve worked with first-time homebuyers like you, chances are they can provide useful resources. They should also be highly knowledgeable about the local real estate market, and the nuances of specific neighborhoods. Or, if you’re an experienced buyer who wants to purchase an investment property but have limited time, you’ll want to work with someone who is used to tight turnarounds, and has a strong negotiation track record.

Also, it’s important to understand the National Association of Realtors designations and certifications. Working with an Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) is a starting point, but an agent’s specialities can benefit you even more. For instance, an agent who is a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) will be well versed in downsizing. If you’re relocating because of a job, consider enlisting the aid of a Relocation Specialist (RELO). These professionals manage the moving process so you can continue focusing on your job. If you’re looking for a waterfront home and/or a high-end property, consider a buyer’s agent who is a Waterfront Specialist or a Luxury Advisor with a deep understanding of the luxury home market.

Some people think that an agent simply helps you tour homes, but they wear multiple hats and assist in many ways. They’re project managing the entire process and involved in everything from offer letters to home inspections, market research to multiple offer situations. So, it’s important to know upfront whether they like to provide updates via email, phone, or text. You should also say what you prefer. The frequency matters too. Some homebuyers look for a home for a few months while others take a year or more to find the right one. That means you’re spending a significant amount of time communicating with this person, so it’s best to start on the same page. How do they handle miscommunications? Do they have a team who will be communicating with you if they’re unavailable? These are all important things to discuss, especially when reviewing your buyer-agency agreement.

Asking this question upfront tells you if this buyer’s agent is well connected and eager to provide resources at different stages in the home-buying process. For an inexperienced agent or someone who doesn’t have a strong reputation, they might dodge this question or give a very general answer. A great agent may provide clients with a vendor directory (like we do here at Windermere Bainbridge). Or, they may email a few recommendations to their clients as needed.

Real estate markets are often shifting. The national market is not always reflective of what is happening locally. That’s why it’s important to ask your potential buyer’s agent about the local market. You should know if homes are selling quickly or not and if there are any trends in your price range. Also, what strategies are working for buyers right now? A local expert will be able to provide the data, context, and insights to help you understand what the numbers mean for you.

A great buyer’s agent will ask specific questions to help you pinpoint your home-buying criteria. Whether through a conversation or a questionnaire, their questions will cover important information. For example, how much house can you afford? What features should be prioritized? Additionally, your agent should be able to tell you whether your list of needs is affordable in your ideal neighborhood or community. For example, let’s say you’re looking at waterfront homes for sale on Bainbridge Island. If you know you need a home with at least 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms but you can’t go above $1.4M, that may really limit your options. Your agent may suggest looking at view homes or waterfront homes in nearby communities like Poulsbo. The more they know what you want and the more they listen to your needs, the smoother the search will be.

It’s helpful to understand how an agent evaluates pricing, market value, and current market trends when writing an offer. You also want to ask about how they factor inspections, contingencies, and timing into negotiations.

Your agent should be able to explain how a home compares to similar properties and what to expect during inspections and negotiations. This person should be adept at handling unexpected issues, communicating effectively, and advocating on clients’ behalf. If they can’t provide specific examples to illustrate their expertise, you may want to look for someone else.

Having an in-depth conversation with your potential buyer’s agent helps ensure you’re aligned from the start. Beginning with confidence will help you achieve your home-buying goals in a competitive, nuanced market.