10 Questions to ask a REALTOR®️ during the consultation process.

Most people don’t know that this is an option, but you SHOULD sit down with several REALTORS® to ask them some questions and determine which one is going to be the best fit for you. I’m not too proud to say it, I am not the REALTOR®️ for everyone and I’m okay with that. If we don’t jive, then I don’t want you to feel obligated to use me because, in that situation, you really need to know, like and trust this person who is advising you.

So, if you are planning to buy or sell a property in the next little bit, now is a great time to start thinking about who you would like on your team. But what should you ask them when you are sitting down and chatting? Here is a list of 10 questions that you can ask.

Why did you become a REALTOR®️?

This can really help you understand what their goal is. If their goal is to make a whole bunch of money (and that is what they tell you) then they might be looking to churn as many clients through the process as they can. If making a whole bunch of money is also your goal, then you might be a great fit.

How does a REALTOR®️ get paid?

This one can have an interesting answer. I hate it when agents say that as a buyer, working with an agent is “free”. No - it isn’t free. You are still paying for it through that big check that you write to the seller. What you don’t get is an invoice that you have to pay. But you are still paying for it.

So to answer the question, a REALTOR®️ gets paid their commission through the sellers proceeds. Wrapped up in all the legal paperwork, the lawyers distribute the funds from the sale proceeds to the brokerage to then pay the REALTOR®️. From that commission check, the REALTOR®️ then has to pay the HST, any expenses (photos, drone footage, marketing dollars), and then they can pay themselves. Oh, and the tax man - a REALTOR®️ is required to pay the income taxes on the commission.

How and how often do you communicate with your clients?

Personally, I prefer to communicate through text or email because I know that there won’t be any loud kids in the background of those messages (hello Mom-life). But if the clients prefer to talk on the phone, then I will of course adapt my communication to them.

As a listing agent, I firmly believe that you should hear from me once a week, even if it is to tell you that there is nothing new to report. This check in is done on a schedule so you can know when you should expect to hear from me.

What happens if I can’t find the property I love?

This question would obviously be for a buying client. And if we aren’t finding the right property, then we might need to adjust either: (a) your timeline or (b) the search parameters. The house that you are wanting is out there - but it may not come available when you want it or you may need to change what it is you are looking for.

What’s the market like right now?

I get asked this question at least once a day, even if I’m not in a client interview. If the agent doesn’t have a response ready for this question, then they might not be following the market as closely as they should.

Do you work alone or as part of a team?

Asking this question just helps you understand if you will be working with only 1 person, or if you may be seeing houses with several different agents. When I was part of a team, it was very common for us to step in and help each other out to ensure that the client was into the house as soon as they could be. If you are listing a property with a team, who is your main point of contact?

Working with a team can be a huge asset because you then have multiple brains working to sell your property and also keeping their eyes open for the right property for you. I really enjoyed working with a team, but I’m also enjoying working as a solo agent right now.

Do you work full time or part time?

There are agents who are part time who are amazing agents and there are agents who are full time that are struggling with their business. All the answer to this question will do is give you insight into how available they are during the day. If a REALTOR®️ is also a teacher during the day, then you can bet that they will not be available for a lunch time showing at a house. This doesn’t mean that they won’t do a bang up job as your REALTOR®️ but it is something you should know so that you can adjust your expectations.

What is your process for showing a house?

Now this depends on if I am working as a buyers agent or if I am showing one of my own listings.

If I am working as a buyers agent, I am looking for every possible defect I can find and I am extrapolating ways that this could be bad in the future and cost you, the buyer, more money. I will crawl through the bushes looking at window frames and I will brave a field of spiders looking for a survey pin. But that Amy is reserved for my buyer clients.

If I am the listing agent on the property, then my obligation is to the owner. This doesn’t mean that I won’t talk to you about the house, but it does mean that I’m not going to speculate about anything or what it could mean down the road. Stay tuned for my blog post in a couple of week about the different relationships a client can have with a REALTOR®️ .

Who would you recommend for a mortgage?

I have been busy meeting with several different mortgage brokers around Charlottetown so I am confident that I can help point you in the right direction to find the mortgage help you need. Which mortgage broker I would recommend would depend on your personality and what you need from a broker. I would also recommend that you reach out to a mortgage specialist at your bank. This is a different person than just a banking advisor so make sure you are meeting with their mortgage specialist.

Do you have a vendors list that you can provide to your clients?

From inspectors (house, septic, solar, etc) to contractors to licensed speciality workers, we agents often have a list of people that we have worked with in the past that we would recommend to you. This is something that you can definitely ask your agent for. When we are initially sitting down, asking “Do you have a preferred inspector that you would like to use” is a question that I also like to ask. This just gives me an idea for how much external help you have for the buying process.

So the take away from this list, ask your REALTOR®️ questions - get to know them and see if you actually do like them. Meet them at a local coffee shop or brewery, depending on your preference and get to know them over a drink. This doesn’t have to be a formal process, but it is an essential step in the grand scheme of real estate.

Now…any questions?