A lot of our business is repeat and referral — people who've worked with us before or who come through someone who has. But we also work with buyers who are meeting us for the first time, and those conversations are some of my favorites.

Here's why: the buyers who ask good questions upfront almost always have better outcomes. So let me give you the questions you should be asking any buyer's agent you're considering working with.

"What specifically will you do to help me get the house I want?"

This sounds simple. It's not. Any agent can say "I'll write a strong offer" or "I know this market." Push for specifics.

What do they know about the seller's situation that might affect how to structure an offer? Do they have relationships with listing agents in the area? Do they know how to write escalation clauses, waived contingencies, or rent-back arrangements that can make your offer win without necessarily being the highest number?

When someone asks us this question, we have a very specific answer. You should expect that from any agent you work with.

"How many offers, on average, does it take your buyers to get an offer accepted?"

This is a harder metric to track — and any honest agent will acknowledge the variables. Were those buyers trying to purchase homes they realistically couldn't win? Were they in hyper-competitive price ranges? Those factors matter.

But the underlying question is valid: are they winning for their buyers, or are their buyers grinding through rejection after rejection?

In our current market — low inventory, likely for the foreseeable future — when you find a home you love, you need to maximize your chances of getting it. The agent who helps you compete effectively the first or second time is dramatically more valuable than one who needs five or six tries.

"What's your list-to-sale price ratio?"

This one applies when you're looking at buyer agents with a listing track record too. It tells you whether they're pricing accurately and selling at full value — or leaving money on the table (or overpricing and sitting).

The Bottom Line

Interview your agent. Not casually — genuinely ask them these questions and evaluate the answers. The best agents welcome the scrutiny. We certainly do.

Watch the original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yV8AmopUs0