What questions should I ask a real estate agent before hiring them?

<div>Interviewing real estate agents is the best way to find the right person for the job. Consider asking the following questions to find the best agent for you:<ul><li>How will you show my property?</li><li>Will you do open houses to market my home?</li><li>How will you handle dual agency (representing the buyer and you as the seller)?</li><li>Should I make repairs to my home before listing?</li><li>Will you get professional photos taken of my home?</li><li>What is the best price you think we can get for my property?</li><li>How long do you expect the sale to take?</li></ul></div>

Do I need a real estate agent as a buyer?

<div>You don’t legally need a real estate agent as a buyer, as you can represent yourself, but you should always hire an agent as a home buyer. A professional real estate agent will have access to local MLS services to find homes that meet your criteria and needs, can connect you with other professionals—like a mortgage broker and real estate attorney—you’ll need for the purchase, and can often negotiate a better price for your home to help save you money. Plus, as the buyer, your agent’s commission comes from the seller’s proceeds from the sale of the home.</div>

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Last update on April 06, 2025

Reviewed in March 2025
Working with Stephany from Team Fross was a wonderful experience. She is knowledgeable and took swift action to secure us our dream home & location. Highly recommend her!
Team Forss Realty Group
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Reviewed in February 2025
Brad and his team are the best. If you are looking for a realtor, look no further. They answered all my questions and took time to explain the process. So glad I was referred to him.
Brad Korb
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Reviewed in March 2025
My wife and I have been trying to find a house in the San Diego area. We were lucky to have found our agent, Jen Bloch, to help us! She's extremely helpful in answering our questions, talking through the home-buying process, and getting us in touch with the right people to make the buying...
Team Forss Realty Group
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Reviewed in October 2016
I just wanted to write a quick review of my experience so far with Peabody Residential. My sister and I recently inherited some properties in the Winchester area. We both live out of state and didn't know anyone in the area. I reached out to good friend in the business and he referred me to...
Peabody Residential
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Reviewed in April 2010
We have completed very difficult purchase. Jim was there making phone calls and updating. We had to put new amendments for our purchase more than 5 times.
infoSanDiego
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Reviewed in June 2009
Jim was my real estate agent when I sold my home several years ago (with excellent results), and this time he was my agent for a home purchase. I spent over two years on and off searching for a home to buy, and Jim was very patient throughout the process, spending many weekends showing me dozens...
infoSanDiego
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Reviewed in July 2010
We found Jim to be very approachable, responsive and refreshingly honest. With one of us just relocated to San Diego and the other still living in Michigan during majority of the search, Jim was able handle this long distance process smoothly and effectively. He always returned calls and...
infoSanDiego
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Reviewed in September 2009
It went great. What we appreciated most about Jim was his patience. From simple questions to the several short-sale offers we put in that fell through, Jim was always patient, professional, and sincere. We were so satisfied with his services that we gave him back some of the rebate he gave us...
infoSanDiego
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Reviewed in September 2011
My wife and I were first-time home buyers and wanted to find a good realtor who isn't pushy to help guide us through the process. A friend of ours recommended Jim highly and after talking with him, we decided to go with him. He is especially great for first -time buyers with little real estate...
infoSanDiego
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Reviewed in May 2013
As first-time home buyers my Wife & I were a bit nervous about finding the right person to guide us through the home buying process, but we hit the jackpot with Jim.From the first time we met Jim we knew right away that he would be a great representative for us and we were not disappointed. Jim...
infoSanDiego
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Real estate agents in San Diego

Real estate services FAQs

Real estate agents work on commission, so the cost of hiring an agent will depend on the cost of the home you’re buying or selling. The listing contract should include information about the commission for both agents, which is usually 6 percent of the sale price in total or 3 percent per side. With an average national home value of around $440,000, the typical commission per agent is $13,200. However, you won’t pay this total out of pocket. Instead, the commission comes out of the sale price of the property.

Interviewing real estate agents is the best way to find the right person for the job. Consider asking the following questions to find the best agent for you:

How will you show my property?
Will you do open houses to market my home?
How will you handle dual agency (representing the buyer and you as the seller)?
Should I make repairs to my home before listing?
Will you get professional photos taken of my home?
What is the best price you think we can get for my property?
How long do you expect the sale to take?

Yes, hiring a real estate agent is worth it. Many homeowners make the mistake of trying to sell their homes by themselves, thinking that they’ll save money on the commission, but what they save on the commission, they very often pay for in frustration and concessions on the sale price. Hiring a real estate agent to handle the sale of your home not only makes the process far easier and takes the burden off of you, but most homeowners get more for their homes when going through an agent because of the marketing and salesmanship they bring to the table.

You don’t legally need a real estate agent as a buyer, as you can represent yourself, but you should always hire an agent as a home buyer. A professional real estate agent will have access to local MLS services to find homes that meet your criteria and needs, can connect you with other professionals—like a mortgage broker and real estate attorney—you’ll need for the purchase, and can often negotiate a better price for your home to help save you money. Plus, as the buyer, your agent’s commission comes from the seller’s proceeds from the sale of the home.

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