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 Clear Lake, WA 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 Clear Lake, WA 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 March 31, 2025

Reviewed in April 2014
Beverly and Doug went above and beyond in their availability and effort to help us sell our house and purchase a new one. Even when things got stressful they remained very professional and stayed focused on our goals.
John L. Scott Real Estate
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Reviewed in July 2022
I chose Irena to find me a home because she was born and raised in the area. I'm glad I did, because she helped me navigate the town I wanted to buy in, and even wrote offers for me in the middle of the night. Very satisfied with her services.
Irena Kolbert
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Reviewed in June 2017
It went really well. She really fought for us. As first time buyers she really helped to guide us through the home buying process. The house we were buying was being sold by the home owner and not another realtor.
Ellingson Home Group/Keller Williams Realty
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Reviewed in June 2017
Jan was our agent during the home buying process. Her and her husband were very prompt and always there if I needed to get into he home. We were purchasing a house that had been foreclosed and it was very stressful, but Jan was always there.
Ellingson Home Group/Keller Williams Realty
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Reviewed in August 2011
We hired Lori Jo after having unsuccessfully listed our home for sale the prior year. With Lori Jo we were able to sell it in a matter of months and then started the tenuous mission of looking for and purchasing a new house. We had our hearts set on a house that unfortunately turned into a...
Lori Jo Smith Coldwell Banker Bain
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Reviewed in March 2016
Very courteous and attentive to the complications of dealing with an old couple reluctantly moving north from Snohomish County to Skagit County.
Lori Jo Smith Coldwell Banker Bain
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Reviewed in October 2013
Overall it was a great experience. Never felt any pressure and she was very helpful in guiding our decision making process.
Lori Jo Smith Coldwell Banker Bain
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Reviewed in April 2015
The mobile home purchase went quickly and seamlessly once I was satisfied that the home and community were a good fit. I have no regrets. In March of 2015 Lori Jo listed my condo locally and on u-tube. The pictures revealed the excellent lighting, storage space, new appliances, and spacious...
Lori Jo Smith Coldwell Banker Bain
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Reviewed in November 2012
Lori Jo is one of the greatest real estate agents anyone could have. She sold our old home and then helped us find and purchase our new home. She researched houses for us. Took us on Numerous go-sees. and let me tell you there were a lot! She never got impatient and was always looking out for...
Lori Jo Smith Coldwell Banker Bain
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Reviewed in July 2018
If you are thinking of moving to the Northwest and are looking at Bellingham, WA, then you have to go straight to the best real estate broker ever, Lori Jo Smith. We found her on Angie’s list, and all the comments we read were true. Lori Jo will work tirelessly for you, answer ALL your questions...
Lori Jo Smith Coldwell Banker Bain
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Real estate agents in Clear Lake

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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