To find the right home, first you want to find the right realtor — an agent who understands your needs and goals, knows the local market, has a strategy for getting you the best deal, and can help you navigate unexpected challenges.
It's wise to interview multiple agents to find the best fit. We’ll help you understand how to interview a realtor by detailing which questions to ask and what to look for in their responses. Plus, we’ll break down how to decide who to interview, set the meetings up, and prepare for them beyond having a list of questions ready.
The easiest way to find buyer's agents to interview is through a free service like Clever Real Estate. Clever has a network of vetted, top-performing agents across the country and can match you with the ones who have he right experience for your home purchase. Just answer five simple questions to get an email with profiles of the top recommended agents near you.
Questions to ask during an interview
1. How many transactions did you do last year?
The real estate market changes quickly, which is why you want a buyer’s agent who has plenty of recent experience. As Beth Armstrong, a realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, explains: "The buyer should be looking for an answer of at least 15 and above or be able to explain why they haven't sold as many as 15 last year." While years of experience is important, you want to see recent volume numbers that prove the agent is active and understands the current market, lending conditions, and competition.
2. What geographic areas do you have the most experience in?
Local expertise is one of the most important traits you should look for in an agent. Because different areas have different types of properties, sellers, and issues, you’ll want an agent who knows your target neighborhood well. For example, they can advise you about upcoming developments that could affect your home’s future value or about which streets are most prone to flooding during heavy rains.
3. How many clients are you currently working with?
While you want a realtor who is currently active, you don’t want one who doesn’t have enough capacity to give you the dedicated support you deserve. A good balance is a realtor who is currently helping around 5–10 clients. An agent who is overbooked may struggle with scheduling showings or responding quickly, which can be especially problematic if you’re in a competitive market where negotiations move fast.
4. What do you do if a transaction doesn’t go as planned?
Even the best agent can’t avoid challenges from arising. Issues may be uncovered during the inspection, an appraisal could come in too low, or financing could fall through. Your agent should demonstrate problem-solving skills to see you through these challenges and offer creative solutions. Bruce Ailion, a realtor and attorney with RE/MAX, says, "A good question is: tell me about a transaction that went wrong, and what they did about it. If they haven't had a transaction that didn't go as planned, they probably don't have enough experience."
5. What services do you offer, and how are fees charged?
Real estate commission structures have changed since the 2024 NAR lawsuit, especially buyer’s agent fees. That makes it more important than ever for buyers to talk with their agents about what specific services they provide and how much they charge for them. While most sellers offer concessions to cover buyer agent commission, it's wise to know exactly how that works and what your options are if the seller doesn't cover it.
6. What is your preferred communication style?
You should be aligned with your agent both in terms of communication methods and how quickly they respond to messages. There’s no inherently right answer to this question. Some realtors prefer phone calls, others email and text. What matters is that you’re both on the same page. If you’re expecting daily text updates but your realtor prefers weekly scheduled phone calls, you’re probably going to feel frustrated by the mismatch.
7. Can you provide references from recent clients?
A good realtor should have no problem finding previous clients who are willing to vouch for them. Justin Chau, a realtor with eXp Realty, advises, "Quality of recent reviews is probably the best deciding factor. Don't choose a realtor to interview just because they have more reviews. Look at the last three reviews from actual buyers/sellers and see how they critique the agent."
8. What are my options if I’m not satisfied with your services?
While this question may be uncomfortable to ask, an agent who is confident in their track record should have no trouble answering it. Good agents understand that mismatches can happen and that not every client is going to be satisfied with their approach. They should be able to clarify what their policy is if there are disagreements about performance and what their exit policy looks like.
9. Do you work alone or with a team?
Some agents work alone or with a small support staff. Others have large teams behind them. Neither approach is inherently better, but you’ll want to understand what you’re getting before signing up. A solo agent can offer more personalized service and develop a deeper understanding of your goals and needs, but they can also be stretched thin or unavailable if a personal emergency comes up.
A larger team, meanwhile, may not provide as much one-on-one support from the lead agent. But they have staff to make sure closing runs smoothly and that even if the lead agent isn’t available, somebody will be able to help, such as with showings.
10. What strategies do you have for buyers in a competitive market?
This question gets at the heart of how your agent will advocate for you and help you reach your goals even in tough conditions. Don’t settle for vague answers like, “We’ll make a strong offer.” Instead, look for specific tactics (preferably ones that go beyond simply offering sellers more money). For example, a good agent will often incorporate creative contingency structures, escalation clauses, and timing strategies to give their clients a competitive edge.
11. What technology do you use to help buyers?
While not a dealbreaker, the technology your agent uses can make the home-buying process smoother and more efficient. For example, automated search alerts can ensure you don’t miss out on a newly listed property, while digital document signing can speed up closing. Some realtors also offer client portals so communication, documentation, and scheduled showings are in one convenient place.
12. What differentiates you from other realtors?
There’s no shortage of realtors, but great ones know what they bring to the table that others don’t. Bruce Ailion suggests you frame the question like this: "Out of the X thousand agents in the market, there are many as qualified or more qualified than you. Why should I hire you? What can you offer that distinguishes you from all the other agents, and how does that benefit me?"
How an agent responds to this question reveals their creativity, self-awareness, and understanding of what actually helps buyers. While there’s no single right answer to this question, you should look for responses that resonate with you and don’t feel overly generic.
13. What questions do you have for me?
Finally, the questions a realtor asks you are just as important as the ones you ask them. Scott Harris, founder and associate broker of Magnetic Real Estate, explains that the best agents go beyond basic questions (such as asking about your budget and desired bedroom count) and try to gain a deeper understanding of your goals and motivations. They'll ask questions about "your vision: Where would you love to live? What could that home look like?" and "your history: What motivated you to rent or buy your current home? What have you loved about all the homes you have lived in?"
What else to look for
Beyond the answers to your questions, pay attention to the overall interview experience. An agent’s listening skills are especially important. Do they take the time to understand your goals and concerns and incorporate your feedback, or do they try to dominate the conversation? An agent should be working to help you meet your goals, not just their own.
They should understand that buying a house can be stressful and do their best to alleviate that stress by asking about your communication preferences and decision-making process.
Watch out for red flags that could lead to disagreements and problems in the future, such as:
- Pressuring you to sign a buyer agency agreement right away
- Responding slowly to your initial inquiry
- Overpromising, such as claiming they can guarantee you a home under market value
- Giving vague answers, especially about fees, experience, and availability
- Providing limited availability, especially around times when you expect updates
How to decide who to interview
With potentially hundreds or thousands of agents in your area, one of the biggest challenges is deciding who to actually interview. Don’t overwhelm yourself with options. Instead, aim to set up 2–3 interviews.
One of the easiest ways to find the right realtor is through a free service that recommends agents who are experts in your local market, highly rated by past clients, and have the right experience for your transaction. These services (like Clever Real Estate) vet agents for you and help you narrow down your options. You can compare profiles, set up interviews, or walk away — no strings attached. You just have to fill out a short form about your situation and goals to get matched with top agents near you.
Another good place to start is asking for referrals from people you know. Becky Seda, owner and lead agent of the Seda Real Estate Group, says, "Ask for recommendations from friends and family — and ask your friends and family if they continue to hear from their agent after closing (if not, it was just a number to that agent)."
You can also check online reviews, but make sure you don’t just rely on an agent’s star rating. Instead, pay attention to reviews from recent clients and look for any patterns in the feedback, such as excellent communication or smooth closings. Ignore reviews that come from other agents or real estate professionals.
Finally, attend open houses in your target area to see which agents are active there. This strategy can be a quick way to find out which realtors have local market expertise and high visibility in the area you want to live in.
How to set up an interview
Attending interviews with potential clients is a core part of most agents’ business. Simply contact the agent or their office, and they’ll take care of the scheduling. Many realtors offer online scheduling on their websites, but you can also use any communication method you prefer. You should mention that you’re interviewing multiple agents, which shows both courtesy and that you’re a serious buyer.
Interviews usually take 30–45 minutes, and most agents are flexible with where they take place. Ideally, it should be a quiet space, such as the agent’s office, your home, or a coffee shop. If you prefer, you can also schedule an online video call, although an in-person interview is often a better way to get a sense of their communication and listening skills.
How to prepare for an interview
Being prepared for the interview will help you get the most from your conversation, while also showing the agent your seriousness as a client. Here are some steps you can take beforehand:
- Get a mortgage pre-approval: This allows you to provide the agent with a realistic price range while showing that you’re eager to start house hunting.
- List your must-haves and dealbreakers: This information makes it easier for the agent to find properties that are right for you.
- Research the agent: Being informed about your agent shows respect and ensures you’ve done at least some groundwork to establish that they may be a good fit. Read reviews, look at their website, and check their social media presence.
- Understand your communication style: Take the time to reflect on how you prefer to communicate, how you handle stress, and what your decision-making process looks like. This self-awareness will help you identify an agent who is aligned with you.
- Prepare your financial information: You don’t need to get super detailed at this point. Just have a clear understanding of your budget, down payment, and overall financial situation, especially if you don’t plan on applying for a mortgage pre-approval before your agent interview.
- Write down your questions: Having a list of questions written out for your agent ensures you don’t forget something important.
How to know which agent is the right fit
Knowing which agent is the right fit for you is often a combination of practical factors and your intuition. At the very least, you want an agent who has recent experience, works in your target area, and will be able to respond to you in a timely manner. Plus, they should have a clear strategy for helping you achieve your home-buying goals.
But beyond these practical considerations, you should also trust your intuition. Your agent should make you feel heard and understood. If their way of communicating clashes with your own, you may end up struggling to get your voice heard. Buying a house is a major financial commitment, so you want to feel like your agent truly understands your goals, needs, and concerns.
If you're ready to find and compare top realtors, Clever Real Estate can help by matching you with multiple local real estate agents, many from name-brand brokerages like RE/MAX and Keller Williams. We’ll take the time to understand your real estate needs and pair you with agents who are the right fit. Plus, you may be eligible for cash back at closing. Answer a few simple questions to get started.
Clever makes it easy to find top-rated local agents from trusted brokerages like RE/MAX and Keller Williams. Plus, you can get cash back on eligible home purchases.
Just enter your zip code, and we'll send personalized agent matches to your inbox within minutes. Compare your options, choose when you’re ready, or walk away — no strings attached.
