Questions to Ask a REALTOR® North Carolina

Don’t settle for just any REALTOR® to help you find your next home. You may end up wasting thousands of dollars and spending hours looking at homes that aren’t suitable for you. Ask the following questions to help you find the REALTOR® that’s right for you:

Are you a REALTOR®?

A serious home search calls for a serious REALTOR®. That means hiring a licensed agent who is a REALTOR®, an agent who subscribes to a strict code of ethics and ongoing education as a member of the National Association of REALTORS.® You should make sure your interviewee is a full-time REALTOR® (versus a part-timer who may not be able to provide the time you require) who can introduce you to home appraisers, home inspectors and lawyers. Stay away from disclosed dual agents (allowed to simultaneously represent both the buyer and seller). You’re better off hiring a REALTOR® you know is looking out solely for your best interests.

How do you get most of your customers?

While all REALTORS® advertise, the better ones get the bulk of their business from referrals or repeat customers. So ask for customer references (see below for more on reference checks).

Do you specialize in a specific area?

Look for a REALTOR® who focuses on the area in which you want to buy. He/she will be more informed on local property prices, schools, transportation and other services, and will know how quickly neighborhood properties tend to get snapped up. If your REALTOR® is up-to-speed on the area, he/she will have the background needed to negotiate a good price, in keeping with recent sales.

How do you communicate with your clients?

• At the onset, your REALTOR® should spend an hour or two with you to get a good feel for what you’re looking for. Taking you on a drive around the neighborhood is always a good idea.
• You want a REALTOR® who speaks your language. For some buyers, that means sending daily e-mails or phone calls. For others, it may mean calling only when new listings or price reductions occur. Whatever your preference, your REALTOR® should take the time to find out what works best for you from the get-go.
• Find out how long it takes your REALTOR® to return calls or e-mails. Anything longer than by the end of the day could mean the difference between buying and losing your dream home.
• If your REALTOR® shows you a home that isn’t suitable for you, it’s his/her job to find out why, in order to avoid similar viewings.
• It’s also the REALTOR’s® job to stay in touch with you on a regular basis. Even if there aren’t any suitable properties on the market, a good REALTOR® will call you at least once a week to stay in touch and communicate market trends.

Do you work alone or do you have a team?

A growing number of busy REALTORS® are building teams of employees to help handle various aspects of their business. While a team approach can sometimes be beneficial, you want to ensure that the REALTOR® you hire is the one finding and showing you properties, presenting and negotiating your offer, and reviewing the final contract with you. Is your REALTOR® going on vacation? Ask to meet with the replacement to ensure they know what you are looking for.

What is your commission?

Typically REALTORS® receive a commission of four to six percent of the selling price, depending on things like the type of property, its value and the rate negotiated by the seller. In most areas, the commission is built into the selling price so you will not have to pay your REALTOR® directly. However, it is a good idea to ask if the REALTOR® charges administrative fees or other costs.

Where will you start your search?

All good REALTORS® subscribe to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for direct access to a wide range of listings in their neighborhood and across the country. REALTORS® may also want to direct you to their corporate websites to take you on “virtual tours” of prospective properties online.

Do you have references?

Make sure you get a few references from satisfied clients who have bought homes in your price range in the area where you want to move. Find out what they liked about the REALTOR® -- and what they didn’t.