Ask about credentials, recent results, the written agreement, fees, references, and referrals, and request the agent's license and a sample contract during your first meeting. These six categories cover what actually predicts good representation: proof of qualification, evidence of recent performance, and clear terms you can hold them to. Buyers and sellers need slightly different versions of this list, which the sections below break down.
TL;DR:
- Only licensed agents with recent closed transactions in your target area can reliably demonstrate their capability, experience, and responsiveness.
- Insist on seeing and walking through the actual written agreement during your first meeting to understand fees, term length, and cancellation options clearly.
- Verify an agent’s license and disciplinary record with your state's regulatory agency, as polished pitches do not guarantee trustworthy service.
- Ask for recent references from past clients and compare online marketing samples to ensure the agent’s claims match their actual work.
- Be cautious of agents with financial ties to lenders or service providers, and compare their referrals independently to avoid conflicts of interest.
Table of Contents
- Questions buyers should ask when interviewing a realtor
- Questions sellers should ask when interviewing a realtor
- How to verify what the agent tells you
- Getting ready for your first realtor meeting
- Questions about referrals, fees, and RESPA
- What separates a real answer from a sales pitch
- Find a vetted agent through RealtiFy
- Sources
- FAQ
Questions buyers should ask when interviewing a realtor
A buyer's interview should confirm three things: the agent is properly licensed, they know your target area, and the written agreement protects you rather than just them. Work through these in order.
- Are you a REALTOR®, and can I see your current license? Membership in the National Association of Realtors means the agent follows a code of ethics; a license confirms they are legally allowed to practice in your state, a point NAR's buyer guide opens with for good reason.
- How long have you worked in real estate, and approximately how many buyers did you close last year? Understanding their recent activity helps but exact numbers are not always available.
- What's your experience in the neighborhoods I'm targeting, and can you name a recent deal there? You want a street name and a rough timeline, not a generic pitch.
- How do you find properties, including off-market ones? Ask whether they rely on MLS alerts alone or actively network for listings before they hit public sites.
- What does the written buyer agreement cover, and how long does it last? NAR recommends asking about term length, termination options, and how the agent gets paid before you sign anything.
- How available are you, and who else might I work with? Some agents hand off showings to a team; ask who that is and how they communicate.
- Can you give me three recent buyer references? Ask for contact information you can actually call, not testimonials pulled from a website.
Pro Tip: Ask the agent to pull up the actual written agreement on their laptop or phone during the meeting and walk you through each clause out loud.
Questions sellers should ask when interviewing a realtor
Sellers should focus on measurable performance and the specifics of how the agent plans to market and price the home. Vague enthusiasm does not sell houses; a documented plan does.
- How many homes did you and your brokerage sell last year, and can you show me comparable recent sales? NAR's seller materials point to this as a starting benchmark for experience.
- What's your average days on market and list-to-sale price ratio? Ask for examples, since context matters: a fast sale in a slow market can mean the home was underpriced.
- What does your marketing plan actually include? Push for specifics on professional photos, staging, paid online ads, MLS syndication, and open houses rather than a general "I market everywhere" answer.
- How will you price my home, and can I see the comps and a net-proceeds estimate? A serious agent should walk through the math, not just state a number.
- How often will you report back, and what feedback do you share from showings? Weekly updates versus radio silence tells you a lot about what working together will feel like.
- What are the exact terms of the listing agreement? Ask about exclusivity, duration, how to cancel, and every fee involved before signing.
- Can you give me three recent seller references and samples of your marketing materials? Real listing photos and ad examples show you what your own home might look like online.
Pro Tip: Ask to see a listing this agent sold within the last three months, then compare the online photos to what you'd expect for a home in your price range.
How to verify what the agent tells you
Answers only matter if you check them. Start with your state's real estate licensing agency, which lets you confirm an agent is currently licensed and search for disciplinary or complaint history. HUD's housing-counselor training materials treat this verification step, along with checking references and recent client experience, as more reliable than any sales presentation.
- Transaction counts and days on market: a handful of closings in your specific price range and area matters more than a large total across unrelated markets.
- List-to-sale ratio: a ratio close to 100% generally signals accurate pricing; a wide gap either way is worth asking about.
- Written agreement clauses: read the termination terms, exclusivity language, and exact compensation before signing anything.
- Reference calls: ask past clients whether the agent communicated as promised and whether closing took longer than expected, questions HUD's training specifically recommends.
- Red flags: evasiveness about commission, refusal to show a written agreement, or promises of a guaranteed sale price all warrant walking away.
Verification matters because presentation alone is not proof: HUD's housing-counselor curriculum explicitly cautions against relying on a polished pitch instead of checking licenses and complaint records.
Getting ready for your first realtor meeting
Walking in prepared turns a general conversation into a useful interview. A little homework beforehand saves you from vague answers later.
- Write down your must-haves versus nice-to-haves and settle on a realistic budget range.
- Buyers should bring mortgage pre-approval; sellers should bring recent repair receipts and average utility costs.
- List your target neighborhoods, commute limits, and any dealbreakers.
- Plan to ask for the written agreement on the spot and read it before leaving.
- Prepare three or four questions to ask references once the agent gives you contact information.
Questions about referrals, fees, and RESPA
Ask whether the agent or brokerage has a financial relationship with any lender, title company, inspector, or contractor they recommend. Their referrals are a starting point, not a requirement, so compare costs independently before choosing anyone.
- The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act generally prohibits kickbacks and unearned fees tied to referrals for settlement services, though some payments for actual work performed are allowed.
- A direct question works best: "Who receives a fee or marketing payment if I use this provider?"
What separates a real answer from a sales pitch
Specific, documented examples beat broad claims every time. If an agent cannot name a recent client or show you a contract clause when asked, that hesitation tells you more than anything they say next.
End every interview with three questions: show me the written agreement and explain each fee, give me three recent client contacts, and how many buyers or sellers did you close in my area last year. When you call those references, ask about communication and whether closing matched the timeline you were promised.
— Jadin
Find a vetted agent through RealtiFy
Once you know what to ask, the harder part is finding an agent worth asking it to. Some platforms highlight agent credentials up front and let you message agents directly, with no middleman or transaction fees standing between you and a straight answer.
- Browse curated property listings and agent profiles to see who's active in your target area.
- Message agents directly through the platform to ask the questions above before you ever commit to a meeting.
- Check how the matching and messaging process works if you want the details before you start.
Start by browsing available listings and agents on RealtiFy and send a message to anyone whose profile checks the boxes that matter to you.
Sources
- Consumer Guide: Ten Questions to Ask a Buyer's Agent
- Questions to Ask When Choosing a Real Estate Agent
- HUD housing-counselor training materials
- RESPA frequently asked questions (CFPB)
FAQ
What is the 3-3-3 rule in real estate?
Definitions vary depending on who's using the term, and it is not a standardized industry rule covered by the sources here. If you encounter it, ask the agent to explain exactly what they mean and how it applies to your situation before treating it as a guarantee.
What are some good questions to ask a realtor?
Focus on credentials and license status, recent transaction history in your area, the specifics of the written agreement, and how fees and commissions work. Also ask for references you can actually call and whether the agent has financial ties to any lenders or inspectors they recommend.
What should I do before hiring a realtor?
Check their license status and complaint history through your state's real estate licensing agency, and prepare a needs-versus-wants list along with your budget range. Buyers should have mortgage pre-approval ready, and sellers should gather recent repair receipts before the first meeting.
What is the 80/20 rule for realtors?
This is not a term defined in official real estate guidance from NAR, HUD, or the CFPB, and definitions circulating online vary widely. Rather than relying on an informal rule, ask any agent directly how they prioritize their time and clients so you can judge fit for yourself.