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.
According to a survey by the National Association of Realtors, about 77% of repeat buyers and 67% of first-time buyers interviewed just one agent before making a final choice.[1] That's a mistake. The point of interviewing two or three is that you can actually weigh one answer against another — which is the only way to tell whether a confident, friendly agent is also the right agent for you.
This guide walks you through 13 questions that get you usable answers, what good and red-flag responses sound like, and how to compare the answers after all the interviews are done. 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. You can also download a printable PDF version of the checklist to bring to each interview.
It's wise to interview multiple agents to find the best fit.
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 the right experience for your home purchase. Just answer five simple questions to get an email with profiles of the top recommended agents near you.
How to decide which realtors to interview
Two or three is the sweet spot. One is too few — you have nothing to compare against. Five or more and the interviews start to blur together.
Here's how to come up with two or three names to start.
Ask people who recently bought. A coworker who just closed last fall is more useful than your aunt who bought 15 years ago. Markets change. Recent buyers know what working with an agent feels like under current conditions.
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)."
Search online and read recent reviews. Skim the agent's last few months of reviews on Zillow, Realtor.com, and Google. Pay more attention to specific stories than star counts — a 5-star review that says "she was great" tells you nothing, while a 4-star review that explains exactly what went well and where the agent could have done better tells you everything.
Use an agent-matching service. 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.
Whichever path you take, do a 10-minute phone screen before scheduling a full interview. Some candidates will rule themselves out — wrong area, wrong price point, full schedule — before you spend an hour on a meeting.
» MORE: How to find a real estate agent
How to set up the interview
Plan for 30–45 minutes per agent. In person is best, but video works fine if the agent is across town or in another metro.
Try to do all your interviews within a 1–2 week window. The whole point of comparing is that the conversations stay fresh in your head — wait three weeks between meetings and you'll start mixing up who said what.
Bring three things to each interview:
- A short list of must-haves and dealbreakers. Bedrooms, school zones, commute, monthly-payment ceiling.
- Your mortgage pre-approval letter. A serious agent wants to know your budget is real.
- A printed copy of the 13 questions (you can download a checklist further down this page). Plan to write notes during the conversation, not after.
Try to interview every agent in the same setting — at their office, at a café, or on video. Comparable conditions make the comparison cleaner.
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.
13 questions to ask a realtor when buying a home
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.
Average buyer-agent fees are currently 2.82% of the home's purchase price, though that's negotiable.[2] The agent should show you a draft agreement, walk through how seller concessions can offset their fee, and put numbers in writing.
» LEARN: How buyer-agent fees work after the NAR settlement
» LEARN: 7 FAQs about buyer-agency agreements
6. How will we communicate, and how quickly will I hear back?
Communication mismatches kill deals. Get the rules clear upfront.
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 give me references from buyers you closed with in the last 12 months?
References are the only way to find out what working with this agent actually feels like under pressure.
Ask specifically for buyers — not sellers — and specifically from the last 12 months. Curated five-star testimonials from years back aren't useful. Call at least two. Ask what surprised them, how the agent handled the moments when the deal got hard, and whether they'd hire the agent again.
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. Most buyer-agency agreements run 90 days and are exclusive. Make sure you understand the cancellation clause before you sign.
Reputable agents will let you exit a non-working relationship without a fight. If the agent dodges the question, claims you can't cancel, or pushes for a 180+ day exclusivity period without a reason, that's a red flag.
This is also the moment to clarify what happens if you end up buying a home that wasn't on any of the agent's tours — a for-sale-by-owner home from a neighbor, for example. Some agreements still entitle the agent to a fee in that case; some don't.
» LEARN: 7 FAQs about buyer-agency agreements
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.
A good buyer's agent can tell you why homes in your price tier are sitting or selling fast this week — not last quarter. That awareness is what shapes a winning offer.
Patrick Stuckwish, Realtor at Keller Williams in Greater Houston says to look for an agent with “market awareness, not just market knowledge. Anyone can pull statistics or quote averages, but that's not the same as understanding what's actually happening right now. Are homes sitting? Are price reductions working? Where are deals stalling or falling apart?”
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.
After interviewing multiple agents, you'll notice patterns start to emerge. Here's a quick reference for what to listen for.
| ❌ Red flag | ✅ Green flag |
|---|---|
| Scripted answers without specifics | Volunteers specific recent examples |
| Can't show closed deals from the last 12 months | Pulls up MLS-sourced transaction data on the spot |
| Refuses to put fees in writing | Walks through the buyer-agency agreement line by line |
| Pressures you toward a specific lender or inspector without explanation | Gives you 2–3 vetted options and explains why |
| Vague on "what could go wrong" | Walks through a recent deal that almost fell apart |
| "I don't want to discourage you" | Volunteers difficult truths early |
| Defensive about transaction volume | Gives you a number and the year-over-year trend |
| References all from 2+ years ago | Recent references who actually pick up the phone |
“One of the red flags that many clients overlook with an agent is if they have answers for all questions and no detail. When you're really knowledgeable, you tend to get a bit more into the specifics and a little less scripted,” says Chris Murphy, founder of Waterfront Homes LLC in Tacoma, WA.
How to compare agents after the interviews
Asking 13 good questions is only useful if you can compare the answers. Most buyers choose based on personality, which is exactly the wrong criterion for a half-million-dollar decision.
“The top error I see from clients is that they're selecting their agent based primarily on agent personality rather than agent process,” says Eric Bramlett, owner of Bramlett Real Estate in Austin, TX.
Here's a simple scoring rubric. Rate each agent on a 1–5 scale across five criteria, then add up the scores.
| Criterion | What you're rating |
|---|---|
| Track record & transaction volume | Years of experience, transactions per year, verifiable closed deals |
| Local market knowledge | Hyper-local market specificity, real-time market awareness |
| Communication & responsiveness | Clear communication channel and response-time commitments |
| Negotiation style & process | How they write offers, how they handle the deal lifecycle |
| References & trust signals | Recent references, honesty under pressure, transparent fees |
If two agents score within a point of each other, weight the one who answered the hardest questions most concretely: track record, hard truths, and fees. Those three are the questions agents are most likely to dodge, so a clean answer there carries more signal than a polished answer on a softer question.
The point of the rubric isn't precision. It's protection. It pulls you out of "I just liked her best" and back into evidence.
“The best buyers and sellers don't choose an agent based on hype — they choose based on evidence, systems, and local pattern recognition,” says Raylene Lewis, a Realtor in Bryan–College Station and Houston, TX, with more than 24 years of full-time experience.
📋 Printable interview checklist
Download the 13-question interview checklist (PDF). Print one copy per agent you're interviewing. Use it to take notes during the conversation, then compare scores after all the interviews are done.
The PDF includes the 13 questions, space for notes per question, and the 5-criterion scoring rubric on page 2.
How Clever can help you find agents to interview
If you don't already have 2–3 names to interview, Clever Real Estate handles the search step for you.
Clever's concierge team matches you with vetted local agents from top brokerages like Keller Williams and Berkshire Hathaway. You get two or three matches to interview — without having to do the sourcing yourself. The match is free, and you're under no obligation to work with anyone you interview.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Two or three. Per NAR, about 70% of buyers interview only one agent — and most pick the first one they meet. Interviewing at least two gives you a comparison, which is the only way to tell whether the first agent's answers actually hold up.
All 13 in this article are useful, but lean hard on questions about fees and the buyer-agency agreement, the agent's process, and cancellation terms. First-time buyers don't yet know what they don't know — and the agent's process is what protects them when the deal hits a wall.
Yes. After the 2024 NAR settlement, buyers must sign a buyer-agency agreement before touring homes with any agent. The agreement specifies the services and the fee. You can negotiate the duration, the exclusivity terms, and the fee structure — but you'll sign one before your first showing.
Before signing anything, yes — freely. After signing a buyer-agency agreement, it depends on the cancellation terms. Most reputable agents will release a buyer from a non-working relationship; agents who fight cancellation are usually the same agents who wouldn't have answered that question well. Read the cancellation clause before you sign.
