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 Oregon, IL

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

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Last update on April 06, 2025

Reviewed in August 2014
Darlene is exceptionally responsive to her customer's needs. She provided sound advice regarding pricing strategy, promoted the property as promised, provided feedback when showings occurred and was very knowlegeable regarding all the contractual aspects of the sales agreement and closing...
Darlene Catalani-- Dickerson & Nieman Realtors (62
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Reviewed in June 2016
She was very professional, keep me well inform and walk me from beginning the end of the salling process.
Sharon Bus
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Reviewed in June 2012
Laura was very helpful. It's actually kind of crazy; we did the majority of the work. We found the house and we called them to let us look at it. It isn't like she really had to do a lot of work but she did meet us there on time and let us in.
DICKERSON & NIEMAN REALTORS
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Reviewed in August 2012
Tara did an absolutely superb job. She communicated with us on numerous occasions in a very sensitive and helpful manner. When we had questions or concerns, she responded promptly with helpful clarifications. She proved very effective in negotiations about needed repairs and price reductions....
Tara Osborne
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Reviewed in March 2013
I called Tim to set up a home inspection, h we was able to give me a prompt response and gave me an appointment right away. The day of the inspection, after he was finished he walked us through the home and explained issues that needed our attention and gave us tips how to resolve them. He...
Top Two Bottom Home Inspections
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Reviewed in October 2010
He was really nice and knowledgeable. He was a good people-person. He was good about getting us a good place. He listened to what we were interested in. He works for his clients and is their to get them the best deal.
GREG OLSON
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Reviewed in September 2012
Working with Bob has been excellent. They’re very reliable; when he tells me he’ll do something, he does it.
PRUDENTIAL CROSBY REALTORS
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Reviewed in January 2014
Greg Maurer-----This is the realtor we all hope to hire!!!! Greg from Keller Williams Signature helped us find a home for our daughter 3 years ago and a home for us this year. ...
Keller Williams Realty Signature
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Reviewed in March 2014
Pam Cunningham helped us tremendously. She is patient, knowledgable, persistent, professional and ethical. We were moving to Rockford from the East Coast so much communication was by email and phone. She was always very responsive, offering a variety of listings. On our scouting/buying trips...
Gambino Realtors Inc
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Reviewed in August 2012
Very engaging and professional. Lorena always responded promptly to emails and was one step ahead of our requests. Furthermore, she was willing to go the extra mile, such as stopping by a home to determine whether we might be interested to prevent us having to make a long drive. Overall,...
Lorena Verdin
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Real estate agents in Oregon

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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