Because there are pending class-action lawsuits that intend to “decouple” the commissions, home buyers will soon be paying their buyer-agent directly for their services. Here are questions to ask to make sure you Get Good Help:
How many homes have you sold in the last 12 months, and what is the mix between buyers and sellers?
What is your specialty?
How much do you charge?
Will I be working with you, or your assistants?
When representing a buyer, how would you describe a successful sale?
What is your strategy for winning a bidding war?
How can I avoid a bidding war?
What do you offer your buyer clients who are out-of-state?
What are your tips on financing?
What makes you better than your competitors?
What do you do to make sure I don’t buy a lemon?
Can you get me an off-market deal?
Will you sell me your hot new listings before putting them on the open market?
What do realtors do?
Do we have a written contract between us?
How long will it take to find a home to buy?
Do you utilize video?
How much of a discount can I expect off the list price?
If I find the home, do you discount your fee?
Can we contact a couple of your recent buyers?
What is your best general advice for buyers?
Add your other questions in the comment section!
Where do -you- live? Why?
Obviously this is a leading question. Where your agent lives may or may not be appropriate for the buyer but is does reveal how deep the agent knows the neighborhoods.