What Questions Should I Ask My Realtor Before Buying or Selling a Home?
Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you will make in your lifetime. The Realtor you choose can make a significant difference in your experience, from how well you prepare financially to how your transaction is negotiated and whether unexpected challenges catch you off guard.
But how do you know if you’re hiring the right Realtor?
Before signing an agreement, it’s important to ask the hard questions. You want an agent who understands your goals, knows your local market, has a clear strategy, and can demonstrate the experience needed to guide you through the process. At LetsGetMovingWithAmy, we believe a successful real estate transaction starts long before a home is listed or an offer is submitted. Our approach is built around preparation, communication, and helping our clients make informed decisions. Whether you’re buying your first home, selling a property you’ve owned for decades, or purchasing a Jersey Shore vacation property, here are the questions we recommend asking your Realtor before getting started.
How Much Experience Do You Have, and What Results Can You Demonstrate?
Do You Understand My Goals, Priorities, and Budget?
Experience matters in real estate because no two transactions are exactly alike. Market conditions change, negotiations become complicated, and unexpected issues can arise between an accepted offer and settlement.
You want a Realtor who can do more than explain the basics. They should be able to discuss current market conditions, share real-world examples, and explain strategies they’ve used to help clients in situations similar to yours.
Questions to ask your Realtor:
- How many homes have you helped buyers purchase or sellers sell?
- How familiar are you with transactions like mine?
- Can you share examples of challenging negotiations you’ve handled?
- What strategies have helped your clients achieve their goals?
- How do you stay informed about changing market conditions?
Don’t be afraid to ask for specifics. An agent should be able to explain their experience and demonstrate how it benefits you.
At LetsGetMovingWithAmy, we believe our clients deserve guidance backed by real-world experience. Our team has worked throughout surrounding Pennsylvania and New Jersey counties, developing valuable insights into different markets, transaction requirements, and negotiation challenges.
Our team is proud to rank among the top 4% of agents nationwide, reflecting our commitment to consistently serving our clients’ needs.
The bottom line? Look for demonstrated experience, not just confidence or promises. You want an agent who can explain what they’ve done, what they’ve learned, and how they’ll put that knowledge to work for you.
Do You Understand My Goals, Priorities, and Budget?
One of the most important questions you can ask a Realtor is whether they truly understand what you’re trying to accomplish.
A home purchase or sale isn’t just about the property. It may involve a specific timeline, financial goals, a job relocation, a growing family, downsizing, or another major life transition. Your Realtor should take the time to understand the bigger picture before recommending a strategy.
Questions to ask your Realtor:
- How will you learn about my goals and priorities?
- What information do you need from me before we begin?
- Can you explain the costs and financial considerations involved?
- What happens if my plans or circumstances change?
- How will you help me avoid unexpected expenses?
At LetsGetMovingWithAmy, we begin with a buyer or seller questionnaire. This helps us understand each client’s circumstances, priorities, expectations, and concerns so we can guide them appropriately.
For sellers, that means discussing the anticipated sale price, mortgage payoff, estimated closing costs, potential repairs, and expected net proceeds. For buyers, it means understanding their budget, financing, upfront costs, preferred locations, and ideal timeline.
We want our clients to understand their numbers before making major decisions. Nobody wants an unpleasant financial surprise halfway through a transaction. Our philosophy is simple: the more we understand upfront, the better we can prepare you for what’s ahead.
What Is Your Strategy for Helping Me Buy or Sell Successfully?
A Realtor should have a plan that is tailored to your situation, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
If you’re selling, simply putting a sign in the yard and uploading photos to the MLS may not be enough to attract the right buyers and generate strong interest.
If you’re buying, you need more than someone who sends you property listings. You need an agent who can help you evaluate opportunities, understand market value, prepare competitive offers, and navigate negotiations.
Questions to ask your Realtor:
- What is your plan for marketing my property?
- How will you determine the right listing price?
- How will you help me compete if multiple buyers are interested in the same home?
- What happens if the property doesn’t sell or my offer isn’t accepted?
- Can you walk me through your process from start to finish?
What our clients can expect
At Let’s Get Moving With Amy, we use our Let’s Get Listing and Let’s Get Buying playbooks to help clients understand the process and prepare for the decisions ahead. These hands-on guides are informed by our experience and real-world transactions.
For sellers, we develop a launch plan that includes a coordinated marketing timeline. Depending on the property and the client’s goals, that plan may include:
- Reviewing comparable market data to establish a pricing strategy.
- Building a timeline around the seller’s ideal moving date.
- Preparing social media content and promotional materials.
- Reaching out to the neighborhood through postcards and other outreach.
- Emailing our database and fellow real estate agents.
- Coordinating appropriate Coming Soon promotion.
- Planning an open house and follow-up strategy.
- Evaluating buyer interest and determining the next steps for offers.
Our goal is to generate interest, attract qualified buyers, and give your home the best possible opportunity to stand out in the market.
For buyers, the process focuses on understanding your priorities, identifying suitable properties, evaluating opportunities, and developing an offer strategy that fits your financial situation and goals.
Ask your Realtor to explain their plan in detail. A clear strategy helps set expectations, establishes accountability, and gives you confidence that your agent is working toward your goals.
How Well Do You Know My Local Market?
Real estate is local, and sometimes the differences between neighboring communities can have a significant impact on your transaction.
A Realtor may be familiar with an entire county but still lack experience with the specific township, property type, or local requirements relevant to your purchase or sale.
That’s why we encourage buyers and sellers to ask questions about their agent’s firsthand experience in the areas they’re considering.
Questions to ask your Realtor:
- How familiar are you with this neighborhood and its recent sales?
- What are the current inventory levels and market trends?
- What township inspections, permits, or certifications may be required?
- Are there local requirements that could affect my closing timeline?
- Do you have experience with this type of property and its financing requirements?
Why local knowledge matters in Pennsylvania and New Jersey
Working throughout Bucks County, Montgomery County, and the New Jersey Shore has given our team valuable insight into the differences between local markets and transaction requirements.
For example:
Bucks County and Montgomery County: These markets can behave differently in terms of pricing, inventory, and buyer demand. Understanding current comparable sales and local competition helps us develop a more informed strategy for each property.
Upper Moreland Township: Inventory can be especially tight in certain market conditions. When fewer homes are available, buyers may need to prepare for competition, while sellers need a pricing and marketing strategy that reflects current demand.
Warminster Township: Sellers should ask early about the applicable Use and Occupancy requirements and inspection checklist. Required repairs or certifications can affect both expenses and closing timelines.
Philadelphia and surrounding municipalities: Inspection and certification procedures can differ significantly from one municipality to another. Never assume that a process used in one location will apply in another.
New Jersey transactions: Attorney involvement is common in New Jersey residential transactions. Buyers and sellers should understand the contract review process and allow time for attorney negotiations and revisions, often called redlining.
Jersey Shore condotels: Buyers considering certain condotel properties in Wildwood should verify financing eligibility early. Not every lender offers financing for every condotel, and property-specific requirements can affect available options.
These are just a few examples of why local experience matters.
The market can change quickly
Even within the same county, one neighborhood may be experiencing slower activity while another remains highly competitive. We’ve recently submitted an offer for a buyer competing against eight other offers.
That is why we encourage buyers and sellers to start conversations with their Realtor as early as possible. Understanding the market before you’re ready to act gives you more time to prepare.
The bottom line: Ask for more than general market knowledge. Find out whether your agent understands the specific community, property type, and requirements that could affect your transaction.
How Will You Market My Home and Keep Me Informed?
For sellers, marketing should involve much more than putting a sign in the yard and waiting for the phone to ring.
You deserve to know how your Realtor plans to introduce your home to the market, generate interest, reach potential buyers, and keep you informed about the response.
Buyers also need a clear communication process. You should understand how your agent will help you identify opportunities, evaluate properties, prepare offers, and respond when the market changes.
Questions to ask your Realtor:
- What marketing channels will you use to promote my home?
- How will you build interest before and after the listing goes live?
- How often will you provide updates?
- Who should I contact when I have a question?
- How quickly can I expect a response?
- How will you communicate important deadlines and changes?
Our approach to launching a listing
At LetsGetMovingWithAmy, we don’t want the first step to be, “When can we come by to list your house and put a sign in the yard?”
Instead, we develop a launch plan with a marketing timeline designed to create awareness and build momentum around the property.
We review the comparable market data, discuss your ideal timeline, prepare promotional materials, coordinate outreach, and plan how we’ll introduce the property to potential buyers.
Depending on the home and the circumstances, this may include neighborhood outreach, postcards, social media, email marketing, Coming Soon promotion where permitted, and an open house.
We want potential buyers to know the property is available and have a reason to schedule a showing.
Once the home is on the market, communication remains essential. We want our sellers to understand the interest their property is generating and the next steps as offers and negotiations develop.
For buyers, clear communication means understanding the process, knowing what to expect, and having guidance when important decisions need to be made.
Ask your Realtor to explain both their marketing plan and their communication expectations before you hire them. You should never have to guess what is happening with one of your biggest financial assets.
What Is the Most Challenging Transaction or Negotiation You’ve Handled?
This question can reveal a great deal about a Realtor’s problem-solving skills, judgment, and ability to remain composed when things get difficult.
Almost anyone can describe a smooth transaction. The more revealing question is how an agent responds when an unexpected issue threatens the deal.
Questions to ask your Realtor:
- What was one of your most challenging transactions?
- What obstacles came up, and how did you address them?
- How did you protect your client’s interests?
- What would you do differently today?
- How do you handle disagreements between buyers and sellers?
Pay attention to how the agent explains the situation. Do they take responsibility for their role? Do they describe practical solutions? Can they explain the options available to their client rather than simply claiming they won the negotiation?
A costly surprise that could have been anticipated
Recently, we worked with a buyer purchasing a property in a Pennsylvania township that required a sewer lateral inspection before closing.
The sellers discovered that the sewer line was broken and needed to be repaired before settlement. The cost was nearly $15,000.
That is a substantial expense that many homeowners would not have included in their expected proceeds from the sale.
The lesson is not that every sewer line will fail or that every township has the same requirements. It’s that sellers should ask early about local inspection requirements and potential property-related expenses.
Homeowners may also want to investigate whether sewer line coverage is available through their homeowners insurance provider or a separate service plan. Coverage, exclusions, eligibility, and cost vary, so review the terms carefully before purchasing.
We believe preparation and asking the right questions early can help clients identify potential obstacles before they become urgent problems.
Navigating difficult life transitions
Some of the most challenging transactions involve divorce or other major life changes.
In divorce-related transactions, the parties may not be on speaking terms, and the Realtor may need to serve as a professional intermediary while coordinating communication and keeping the transaction moving.
These situations require discretion, patience, and an unbiased approach. There may also be children, extended family members, and significant emotional considerations involved.
Our responsibility is to remain professional, communicate clearly, and help clients navigate the real estate aspects of the situation while respecting everyone’s circumstances.
A good Realtor doesn’t promise that every transaction will be easy. They demonstrate how they’ll approach problems when they arise.
What Red Flags Should I Watch for When Hiring a Realtor?
Asking questions is important, but so is recognizing when an agent’s answers raise concerns.
Here are some red flags to consider when interviewing potential Realtors.
They promise an unrealistic listing price
If one agent suggests a significantly higher listing price than others without supporting it with comparable sales or a clear explanation, ask why.
An ambitious price isn’t automatically wrong, but a recommendation should be supported by market evidence and a realistic discussion of potential outcomes.
You need an agent who will explain the numbers honestly, even when the answer isn’t what you hoped to hear.
They cannot explain their strategy
If a Realtor can’t clearly explain how they plan to market your home, help you compete for a property, or guide you through negotiations, you should ask more questions.
A strategy should be specific enough for you to understand what the agent intends to do and why.
They don’t ask about your goals
If an agent immediately pushes you toward a listing agreement or a particular property without understanding your circumstances, consider whether they are prioritizing your needs.
Your timeline, finances, preferences, and concerns should shape the approach.
They avoid difficult conversations
A good Realtor should be willing to discuss potential costs, inspection findings, pricing challenges, financing limitations, and other uncomfortable realities.
It is much better to understand a potential problem early than to discover it when you have limited time or options.
They make promises they cannot control
No agent can guarantee that a property will sell for a particular price, that a buyer’s offer will be accepted, or that a transaction will close without complications.
Be cautious of guarantees that aren’t supported by the realities of the market and the circumstances of your transaction.
They prioritize closing the deal over your interests
Your Realtor should explain your options, discuss the risks, and help you make informed decisions. You should feel comfortable asking questions and taking the time you need to understand important choices.
Our advice is to start with the hard questions and get them out of the way. The conversation may feel uncomfortable, but it could save you significant stress, time, and money later.
What Should I Know Before Choosing a Realtor?
Before hiring an agent, make sure you understand the services they provide, how they communicate, and what you can expect throughout the relationship.
You should also review the applicable representation agreement, including its duration, compensation terms, termination provisions, and other obligations. Ask questions about anything you don’t understand before signing.
Here is a simple checklist you can use when interviewing Realtors.
- Can they demonstrate relevant experience and successful strategies?
- Do they take time to understand my goals and financial situation?
- Can they explain a clear plan for buying or selling?
- Do they understand my local market and its specific requirements?
- Can they explain their marketing and communication process?
- Have they handled challenging transactions similar to mine?
- Are they honest about potential risks, costs, and limitations?
- Do I feel comfortable asking them difficult questions?
- Do I understand the terms of the agreement before signing?
You don’t need an agent who simply tells you what you want to hear. You need one who will help you understand your options, prepare for challenges, and make decisions that align with your goals.
Ready to Buy or Sell a Home in Bucks County, Montgomery County, PA, or the Jersey Shore?
At LetsGetMovingWithAmy, we believe successful real estate transactions begin with honest conversations, careful preparation, and a strategy built around the client’s needs.
Our experience throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey helps us anticipate local requirements, navigate negotiations, and guide buyers and sellers through the many decisions involved in a real estate transaction.
Whether you’re preparing to sell your current home, searching for your next property, exploring a Jersey Shore investment, or navigating a major life transition, we want you to feel informed and supported every step of the way.
Let’s start with a conversation.
Contact Amy and John Walder to discuss your goals, ask questions, and learn how our team can help you prepare for your next move.
Visit LetsGetMovingWithAmy to get started.
