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

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

Do I need a real estate agent as a buyer?

<div><p>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.</p></div>

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Q: Do I need a real estate agent as a buyer?

<div><p>You don&rsquo;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&mdash;like a mortgage broker and real estate attorney&mdash;you&rsquo;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&rsquo;s commission comes from the seller&rsquo;s proceeds from the sale of the home.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Real Estate Service pros in Arvin, CA

*The Angi rating for Real Estate Service companies in Arvin, CA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Real Estate Service needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Real Estate Service companies in Arvin, CA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Real Estate Service needs.

Last update on April 07, 2025

Reviewed in August 2016
David and Amanda guided us smoothly through the process of selling our home. They provided a full-time, high level of service. They responded quickly, and were accessible when we had questions. They had great patience dealing with the challenges of us being out-of-state sellers. They did a...
The Hakimi Team at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
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Reviewed in September 2012
Dawn and Robert are friendly and professional agents. As newcomers to Bakersfield, we relied on them to advise us on location, and pricing. They found us the the perfect home on a very tight schedule (a single weekend!). Dawn and Robert were accomodating and extremely conscientious through out...
Robert and Dawn Morris - Realtors
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Reviewed in August 2013
Linda Oliver, a realtor with Fenton Real Estate went above and beyond the call of duty! . She was the consummate professional, and very pleasant to work with throughout the entire process of sprucing up the house's interior and exterior and yards to make the house more appealing and...
Linda Oliver
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Reviewed in February 2011
My little poodle got out of the house as I had just arrived in Los Osos from my home in Vernal Utah. I wanted to put the California home up for sale but had not contacted anyone, yet. I went out to find Tootie and he had found Cindy on the other side of the hill. We talked and she showed me a...
Platinum Properties
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Reviewed in April 2013
The person that we dealt with was outstanding. She went out of her way to help us find what we were if looking for. She showed us every possible property that met our criteria until she found the one we liked.
COLDWELL BANKER
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Reviewed in April 2014
Scheduled the appoinment promptly. Showed up for appointment on time. He did thorough inspection of the home. Impressed with his knowledge and did not "nick pick" the small items. The house is older but well maintained. He pointed out what was up to code and what should be updated as well...
HOUSEMASTER INSPECTION SVC
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Reviewed in November 2014
Kirk Allen! Wonderful! He is a very hard working agent. We couldn't be happier. He was very honest about the homes we looked at and was a great advocate to have when the bank got overly nitpick-y. He went above and beyond.
Coldwell Banker
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Reviewed in November 2013
Scott Tobias Real Estate will take care of you as if you were family. I was new to Bakersfield and was referred to them. I like them so much and the service they provided that I purchased a house from them. They were very professional, sincere, and looked out for my bottom line. If you want...
Tobias Real Estate
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Reviewed in February 2013
Beth Wolff Realtors were good. She was really nice. They were prompt: came out when they were supposed to. They are local, they pitch themselves as a boutique firm. They were nice and friendly and easy to work with. It is worth giving them a shot.
BETH WOLFF REALTORS
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Reviewed in August 2012
I wasn’t incredibly pleased with the overall experience. She did help us find a home, but she was a scatterbrain. I would not use her services again.
Susan Harlander, Realtor
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Real estate agents in Arvin

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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