What Questions Should I Ask a Real Estate Agent Before Hiring Them?

Don’t Hire a Realtor Until You Ask These Questions

Hiring a real estate agent is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make, yet I see people spend more time researching a new TV than they do choosing who represents them.

One of the biggest mistakes I see buyers and sellers make is hiring a realtor the wrong way.

Too often people jump into Facebook groups asking, “Who should I use?” and suddenly there are 100 comments recommending cousins, friends, old classmates, or someone who may not even actively work in the local market.

Popularity does not equal experience.

Real estate is one of those industries where experience, systems, communication, and execution matter.

Ask questions. Interview agents. Dig into reviews. Verify production.

This article isn’t about choosing me. It’s about helping you choose the right person for you.

1. How Many Homes Have You Sold?

This is probably the most important question you can ask.

Not:

“How long have you been licensed?”

Ask:

  • How many homes have you sold in the last 12 months?

  • How many buyers did you help?

  • How many sellers did you help?

  • How many deals were in my price range?

  • Can you show me your stats?

Ask for proof.

Too many agents speak in broad terms instead of facts.

Experience isn’t about years licensed. It’s about repetitions.

For perspective, in 2025 our team helped 163 families buy and sell real estate.

Out of those:

  • 112 buyers purchased homes

  • Approximately $80 million of buyer transactions were completed

  • Approximately $35 million in listings were sold

  • Average purchase price was approximately $711,000

  • Our buyer clients purchased for a combined $2,538,136 less than asking price, averaging roughly $22,662 saved per transaction

That doesn’t happen by accident.

When you do something every day, patterns emerge. Problems become predictable. Negotiations become sharper.

That experience becomes your advantage.

2. What Will You Actually Do For Me When It’s Time To Write An Offer?

This question almost never gets asked.

It should.

A good realtor shouldn’t simply ask:

“What do you want to offer?”

That’s not strategy.

That’s guessing.

When our buyers want to write an offer, we go back to the office, pull comparables, evaluate active competition, review recent sales, and determine where the market says value exists.

Too many buyers either:

  • throw out random numbers

  • assume every property is overpriced

  • think they should offer $100,000 below list because somebody told them to

That approach can cost you the house.

Your realtor should educate you and help you understand value.

You should never feel like you’re guessing.

3. Tell Me About A Time Your Experience Changed The Outcome

One of my favourite examples happened during a multiple-offer situation.

Three offers came in.

One agent emailed their offer over.

Another agent presented quickly and left.

We chose to present last.

Instead of simply dropping paperwork and leaving, we sat down with the sellers and explained why our buyers loved the home. We slowed the process down. We answered questions. We let the sellers know we were available immediately if changes needed to happen.

I finished by saying:

“I’ll sit outside in my vehicle. If anything needs adjusting, I have my computer ready and we can have this finalized within minutes.”

Our buyers were not the highest offer.

But we won.

Later the listing agent called and explained the sellers felt more comfortable with our offer because they saw professionalism, preparation, and confidence.

Within 12 hours another set of buyers who watched the process unfold reached out and hired us.

That’s when people realize representation isn’t passive.

4. What Happens After My Offer Gets Accepted?

Many people think the realtor’s job is over once the offer is signed.

That’s usually when the work begins.

Ask your agent:

“What happens next?”

For our team, Day One looks like this:

  • Coordinate inspections

  • Connect clients with trusted professionals

  • Prepare and organize documents

  • Work with lawyers and notaries

  • Review title information

  • Communicate constantly

  • Help navigate financing timelines

  • Manage problems before they become problems

If inspections reveal concerns, we help connect clients with trusted tradespeople and gather information quickly.

We believe inspections shouldn’t create fear.

They should create clarity.

And on possession day?

We meet clients, hand over keys, celebrate, and make sure they feel supported right through the finish line.

5. What Support Systems Do You Have Behind You?

A realtor isn’t just one person.

Ask:

What support exists behind you?

Are there systems?

Administration?

Marketing?

Team collaboration?

Trusted vendors?

Communication processes?

When people hire our team, they’re hiring a group of professionals working together under one brand.

That support matters.

But branding alone shouldn’t make your decision.

6. What Do Your Clients Actually Say About You?

If I was hiring an agent today, I’d read reviews.

Google.

Rank My Agent.

Rate My Agent.

There are some excellent realtors in the Comox Valley.

Read what actual clients say.

Look for patterns:

  • communication

  • responsiveness

  • negotiation

  • trust

  • professionalism

  • outcomes

Reviews tell stories.

Red Flags To Watch For

If I was interviewing agents, I’d pay attention to:

  • Getting defensive about production

  • Avoiding specifics

  • Not being able to show results

  • Speaking in vague promises

  • No clear process

  • No communication expectations

Confidence is great.

Transparency is better.

My Final Advice Before Hiring A Realtor

Ask questions.

Ask hard questions.

Get their experience.

Understand their background.

Verify statistics.

Make sure they have the ability to do the job.

And make sure they’re working for you.

One thing I tell buyers all the time:

Any of the houses I’m showing you, I don’t own.

You’re not hurting my feelings.

If you like it, great.

If you don’t, let’s go find the one that you love.

Why I Care So Much About This

I got into real estate because my mom and grandma were both licensed realtors.

My mom spent 35 years in the business and was one of the top-performing agents in the Comox Valley.

I watched how much she loved helping people.

That had a huge impact on me.

Real estate is fast paced.

It’s challenging.

But there’s nothing better than helping somebody buy their first home or helping a family move into the next chapter of their life.

I genuinely love this business.

To me, it’s never felt like a job.