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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*The Angi rating for Real Estate Service companies in Salinas, 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 Salinas, 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 05, 2025

Reviewed in February 2014
Outstanding realtor! Liz quickly sold a number of homes on our street which hadn't moved under other agents' listings, so we selected her to sell our home when the time came. She was knowledgeable about market rates, helped us price our house accordingly, and advised us in how to best...
Lauer Realty Group
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Reviewed in October 2016
It was our job to sell my mother's home in a senior community in another state. It was a beautiful home, but hampered by a glut on the market, solar power on the roof which required a separate lease, two colors of tile on the floors, and a floor plan that was not the popular "open concept". We...
Amy Hall - Home Smart Real Estate
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Reviewed in August 2013
Kevan is an amazing realtor. We've been looking for a home in a crazy real estate market that includes low inventory, bidding wars and rising prices. She has been incredibly supportive, available and patient with our many questions and anxieties. Most importantly, Kevan really knows her business...
Kevan Clarke
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Reviewed in July 2010
No pressure sales, with knowledgable finance staff. Renate and Marcell make a good team. They let us know up front how much of a mortgage loan we could recieve and only showed us houses in that price range. They are willing to go the extra mile to help their clients. We are now owners of our...
Harris Mortgage and Sales
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Reviewed in April 2015
Kelly Behrens is who I'd recommend as a sales agent. She's very good at selling homes. She's on top of her game. It was pretty good. She's very good. I'd highly recommend her for selling. I met her through another realtor that I had used, Joey Gilmer. He recommended her as a sales agent.
Wainwright Real Estate
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Reviewed in January 2013
I truly felt that he was representing me and he has tremendous integrity. He was very through and was way ahead of the game. ***An update about his extraordinary service....he arranged for everything in preparation for my arrival, from having the snow shoveled to booking me a hotel room...
Thaddeus Howells
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Reviewed in January 2013
Judith has helped us for approximately six months in our search for a decent property. We are now in the process of wrapping up our purchase with the seller. Everything was great. She was very, very professional.
Alain Pinel Realtors
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Reviewed in October 2013
Danette Roberts was exactly "on it" in every instance, even when I thought she may have had something a little mixed up. She was expedient, answered my phone calls immediately and personally every time or returned my call within a short time. She was excellent in the paperwork arena, and I was...
ALAIN PINEL REALTORS
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Reviewed in October 2012
He was really great to work with. I used him when I purchased my home and I am currently working with him to purchase an investment property.
BARRY WARD REALTY
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Reviewed in May 2013
She was very friendly, professional. My only complaints would be the lack of communication between us during the process and her being on time. We were able to sell our home with her help. If we needed her again we may consider using her.
JULIE MORGAN
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Real estate agents in Salinas

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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