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 Humboldt, IA

*The Angi rating for Real Estate Service companies in Humboldt, IA 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 Humboldt, IA 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 October 2012
We met Steve at an open house. He was very helpful and let us know that he would do whatever he could for us. We liked him and decided to have him help us with our home search. We have moved a few times in the past and every move has had a short timeline. We knew that we wanted to be in a...
Steve Connor - EDINA REALTY
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Reviewed in March 2013
Barb Sailer helped my family and I buy a new house. She was so helpful and patient, answering all of our questions no matter how many or how silly. We will use her services again when in the housing market
Amy Hanna - Gnb Real Estate
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Reviewed in October 2008
I picked Mr. Carter's company out of the Yellow Pages in Oskaloosa, IA where I was cleaning out my parent's home. He helped me decide on a price for the home by comparing other home sales in Oskaloosa. After the papers were signed he showed it to two clients, and within the week I had sold the...
JOHN CARTER
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Reviewed in February 2017
Jaime worked tirelessly for us! It was no easy task. We are relocating from Iowa to Spanish Fort. She helped us through the process, advised us on things to ask for from the seller. She showed us multiple homes basically all through video chats. She always answered our texts and phone calls...
Jaime Lyon Cooper: Baldwin County Real Estate
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Reviewed in July 2017
Fantastic! Our home sold in 22 days and we were able to close pretty quick. Mark and his team were professional, always helpful, and did a superb job leading us through the process of selling our house. Mark was always available to answer our questions. He was a trooper responding to all my...
Charter House Real Estate
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Reviewed in February 2012
Ms. Marquez has been a family friend for years and owned a restaurant prior to that. She got into Real Estate and we didn't have any doubts we would go with anyone else. We looked for some houses a few years ago and we updated our house, but a tornado destroyed our house last Summer. We were...
FIRST RATE REAL ESTATE
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Reviewed in May 2014
Their real estate agent named Jill showed us around into different houses and when we found the house, she helped us to purchased the house. Jill is very friendly, efficient and she did a good job.
Siouxland Realty
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Reviewed in October 2013
Work performed in timely and professional fashion. Detailed report helped us a great deal in our purchase decision and priorities on home-improvements post-purchase. We'd use them again.
SHERLOCK HOME INSPECTORS INC
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Reviewed in March 2017
I found one I liked and contacted Pam. It was Thanksgiving weekend and I was able to see it that day! Thank you, Pam, for you and your husband taking the time to show me the house. I ultimately purchased the house, and am very happy with her services and the house.
HILDEBRAND REAL ESTATE
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Reviewed in July 2013
Donna was suburb on both sides of buying and selling. She showed us only homes we could afford was thorough and detailed in managing she then brought us qualified buyers who fit our house.
Donna Elder--RE/MAX CREATIVE REALTY
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Real estate agents in Humboldt

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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