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>

Get matched with top real estate agents in Orange City, IA

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>

There are 0 highly-rated local real estate agents.

Matching on Angi

Share some details about your home project.

Within moments, match with highly-rated local pros.

Compare quotes and choose the best pro for the job.

Verified Reviews for Real Estate Service pros in Orange City, IA

*The Angi rating for Real Estate Service companies in Orange City, 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 Orange City, 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 06, 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
Request a quote
Reviewed in September 2013
I first contacted Thomas via his website/email about a month prior to my scheduled weekend visit to Florida with a friend. At the time, I was just starting an informal search for condos in the Tampa/Clearwater area. Fast forward to my visit: upon arrival at my friend's condominium complex...
Lipply Real Estate
Request a quote
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
Request a quote
Reviewed in July 2012
Everything was great. When we were coming in from out of town, she would take care of us. No two ways about it. She makes sure and show all the houses. I would point out what I like and what I don't like and go from there with it.
Sarah Bengtson
Request a quote
Reviewed in May 2016
My husband and I were in the market to purchase an acreage. With Brandon helping us the process was smooth and as stress free as possible. Brandon was helpful and available every step of the way. He was on top of everything and always there to provide helpful insight, information and reminders...
At Home DSM
Request a quote
Reviewed in January 2014
I live in Stanton Iowa it is imperative I have dependable ..reliable..qualified..folks to handle anything that comes up. They notify my immediately when something needs to be fixed or any related rental situations. I always get pictures before and after of any work done. Estimates are...
THREE PALACES REALTY INC
Request a quote
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
Request a quote
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
Request a quote
Reviewed in March 2014
Wow! Friendly, very knowledgeable , a very outgoing group. This is not a scam, these are not con people. It is a community of real estate investors that believe in paying it forward and helping others get started in real estate investment. They are really great.
Renatus Wealth Center
Request a quote
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
Request a quote

Real estate agents in Orange City

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.

The homeowners guide to real estate services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

See all articles