Do you specialize in any neighborhoods? – A good realtor will be a guru in specific neighborhoods. They will have sold homes in that area and know the ins and outs of the area. You’ll want a realtor that can tell you all about the area, including home prices, public amenities, school information, and more.

How many homes have you helped buyers close in the last 12 months? – No matter the market situation, you should be impressed by their number. A good realtor will find a way to sell homes, even in a slow market. You want to know the realtor you’re working with has proven success.

How will you determine what homes match my wants and needs? – Ask your realtor this so you can get an idea of how they work. You want to know they have a plan of attack and their thought process that goes behind finding a home. It’s important that their plan matches your expectations.

How many clients do you work with at one time? – If the answer is more than 10 that means a few things. One, they have a strong client base which must mean they are doing something right. But two, they may not be able to spend as much time focusing on your needs. Ask the number and decide if you think they have enough time for your expectations.

How do you like to communicate? – It’s important to ask this question so you can know what to expect communication wise throughout your home buying process. Layout guidelines such as email or text only, or maybe you prefer phone calls. How often do you want to be in communication? Weekly, daily? Make it clear so both parties are happy with the communication between the one another. It’s important to not feel like you are being ignored or to not feel overwhelmed by too many phone calls.