OBJECTIVE: The goal of interviewing a buyer’s agent is to find a person that will act with your best interest in mind at all times. He or she will need to listen to your desires, guide you over and around hurdles and fully explain each step along the journey in an understandable way. The agent’s communication, research and negotiation skills are key elements in facilitating a smooth and successful buying experience, so it is imperative that you are comfortable with and trust the agent’s approach to each of these areas.

1. What type of clients do you typically work with?
(shows caliber of typical client drawn to this agent)

2. What is your professional and educational background? How has it helped you with clients in the past?
(shows professionalism)

3. Do you work alone or are you part of a team? If part of a team, what will your role be in our future relationship?
(properly sets expectations)

4. How many properties, on average, do you preview each week?
(shows knowledge of current inventory)

5. What is your approach to locating my dream home and how will you inform me of the candidates?
(shows research skills)

6. If it takes me 6 months to a year before I find my ideal house, will you work just as hard for me in the last month as you did in the first?
(shows commitment)

7. How often and in what manner of communication should I expect from you?
(needs to be compatible with your preference)

8. How will you present my offer to the listing agent?
(shows professionalism)

9. Tell me about some of your previous client negotiations that you’ve undertaken on their behalf and what the outcome was.
(shows thought process)

10. In previous transactions, what steps did you take to protect the buyer and the buyer’s deposit?
(shows thought process and contract competency)

11. What are some of the biggest mistakes you have made in your real estate career and what did you learn from them?
(shows professionalism and growth)

12. Other than what we’ve already talked about, why should I hire you?
(shows salesmanship)

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 15th, 2008 at 11:53 pm and is filed under Investing, Real Estate. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.