| "If you're going to be working with a real estate | | | | on my own? |
| agent on the purchase of a new home, you want | | | | • How many clients do you currently |
| to make sure that you choose the right person. | | | | have? Would you say that you are overworked? |
| After all, a home is an investment that's valuable | | | | • Do you have a specialty? (If you are |
| to both your pocketbook and your personal life | | | | looking at a certain kind of home purchase such |
| and you want to be sure that the professional | | | | as a bad credit home loan purchase or a new |
| who is helping you to find that home knows the | | | | home construction purchase, ask specifically about |
| best way to do that. You also want to make | | | | the real estate agent's experience with that |
| sure that your real estate agent is someone that | | | | specialty.) |
| you get along well with and feel comfortable | | | | • What can you tell me about the |
| asking questions of so you shouldn't be afraid to | | | | neighborhood, community activities and schools in |
| interview your real estate agent before agreeing | | | | the area that interests me? |
| to work with him or her. | | | | • May I have references such as clients |
| Here are the basic interview questions that you | | | | who have been satisfied with you as their real |
| should ask of your real estate agent to determine | | | | estate agent? |
| whether he or she is a person that you want to | | | | • What would you identify as your |
| work with on the purchase of your new home: | | | | strengths and weaknesses in terms of this |
| • How long have you been working as a | | | | business? |
| real estate agent? | | | | • What else can you tell me about the |
| • How long have you been working for | | | | experience of working with you? |
| this real estate agency (or how long have you | | | | You shouldn't be afraid to ask a lot of questions |
| had your own real estate practice)? | | | | of your real estate agent and even to conduct a |
| • Do you work part-time or full-time as | | | | semi-formal interview. This initial conversation will |
| a real estate agent? If this is a part-time job, do | | | | tell you a lot about the experience, enthusiasm |
| you maintain another full-time job? | | | | and ability of the real estate agent. More |
| • How long have you been a real estate | | | | importantly, it will tell you how willing he or she is |
| agent in this city? Which neighborhoods or areas | | | | to answer your questions and to make sure that |
| of town do your primarily work in? | | | | you understand what is going on when working |
| • What level of involvement should I | | | | with him or her. This interview will set the tone |
| expect in working with you? Will you be available | | | | for future interactions and can be a great |
| for calls and questions? Will you take me to see a | | | | indicator of what your real estate purchase will |
| number of different houses or will you just tell | | | | look like. So, ask away! Your home is on the line. |
| me where to pick up the keys and have me go | | | | |