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 Palo Alto, PA

*The Angi rating for Real Estate Service companies in Palo Alto, PA 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 02, 2025

Reviewed in May 2014
My husband and I decided to relocate from Pennsylvania to Ohio to be near our daughter and her family. It sounds simple enough until you factor in the fact that two folks in their 60's working two full- and one part-time job are looking to purchase a home 4.5 hours from "base camp." Acting on a...
The HomeBuyer's Advocate
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Reviewed in July 2018
Excellent, Sue was a joy to work with and she sold our house in 9 days. She guided us thru all processes and we could not be any more pleased. Call on Sue when you are looking for the best realtor.
RE/MAX SELECT REALTY
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Reviewed in August 2020
Arrived for our vacation. It was very tenuous because of the COVID-19 but Bobby McVey kept us current on the status of the Delaware beaches and the quarentine. Upon arriving we were met at the door by a professional individual who held the door as we entered. Proceeded to the desk and was...
Mann & Sons, Inc. Rental Division
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Reviewed in May 2014
They did a very good job. Our lawn tractor would go forward or backward. They got here and took it to their factory, they repaired it and delivered it back here. They were quick, it took them a while to fix it because they do other things there but it came back in a reasonable amount of time and...
WESTWOOD GARDEN HAVEN
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Reviewed in March 2013
We searched a long time for a perfect home and she helped us the whole way! She is not a warm and fuzzy person, but extremely good at her job. I would not hesitate to recommend her as a buyers agent. She was prompt, professional and seemed to sincerely put our needs first. Truthfully I don't...
COLDWELL BANKER
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Reviewed in June 2015
I really like this Perry Wellington 4.5. We're in the process of getting ready to move and everybody I've spoken at Perry Wellington is just so nice and they're so punctual about calling you. It's like you can get somebody literally 24/7 with them if you want. When you make a phone call in,...
Perry Wellington Realty, LLC
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Reviewed in July 2019
We recently sold my mom's homestead and we moved her into a retirement community out of State. Scott Weyer was an outstanding agent and went above and beyond the call to check on her property after storms and make sure that it was always ready for showings. There are agents and Real Estate firms...
EXIT REALTY JOHN HILL
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Reviewed in May 2015
We were first time buyers. Why I liked them so much is that it was fairly painless. There weren't too many issues that came up throughout the process. We can't think of a time where we felt uncomfortable. I don't really think we paid any extra fees outside the purchase of the home and the cost...
NORMA WHITE REALTY
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Reviewed in January 2012
Melissa is an excellent realtor! I am your typical nosey neighbor tire kicker. I had been looking around the area at homes for a year and each time I wanted to look, Melissa was awesome about taking us. Even though we hadn't seriously considered buying at the ones we looked at. When my house...
Melissa Stahl
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Reviewed in October 2014
Great experience. Thanks to everyone at Black?s Home Sales (Duncansville, PA) and the crews at Champion (Atlantic) Homes in Claysburg, PA for an overwhelmingly positive experience in the purchase, construction, delivery, setup and service of our beautiful new home; I?m thrilled the house was...
Black's Home Sales
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Real estate agents in Palo Alto

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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