Interview checklist
Questions to ask a real estate agent before you hire them
Print this list, ask every agent the same questions, and compare the answers.
Everyone
- How long have you been licensed, and with which brokerage? (Check it yourself: search their name on Minnesota’s PULSE license search.)
- How many homes have you closed in the last two or three years? How many near me, in my price range?
- Do you work alone or on a team? Who will I actually deal with day to day?
- How and when will you communicate with me? How fast do you usually reply?
- What awards or designations do you hold, and what did each one require?
- Can I talk to two or three recent clients?
- What’s a deal that went wrong recently, and what did you do about it?
Buyers
- What does your written buyer agreement include? How long does it last, and how can I end it?
- How are you paid? Do you expect me to pay you, or will you ask the seller to?
- If the seller won’t cover your fee, how much cash would I need at closing?
- How do you help me decide what to offer in this market?
- Which inspections do you recommend here (radon, well, septic, sewer line)?
- Which lenders, inspectors and title companies have you worked with, and do you get anything for referring them?
Sellers
- How would you price my home? Can I see the comparable sales you used?
- What’s your full marketing plan: photos, MLS, online, open houses?
- What is your listing fee, and are you offering anything to buyer agents? Why or why not?
- What should I fix before listing, and what should I leave alone?
- Which Minnesota disclosures will I need to fill out?
- How long is the listing agreement, and can I cancel it?
Frequently asked questions
How many real estate agents should I interview?
Two or three is enough for most people. Ask each the same questions so you can compare answers side by side.
What is the most important question to ask a real estate agent?
Ask how many homes they’ve closed near you recently and who you’ll work with day to day. Local experience and the person you’ll actually talk to matter more than a brand name.
Can I negotiate an agent’s fee in Minnesota?
Yes. Commissions are not set by law and are fully negotiable, for buyers and sellers. (NAR)