Critical Questions To Ask Your Realtor When Buying Your First Home

Updated ·2 min read Expert verified
Written by Calbrea
Reviewed by Jasmine Grainger
Two women looking at each other smiling at the table

Ask your realtor these key questions to confidently secure your dream home as a first-time homebuyer! You can use these questions both before and after you hire them!

Make Sure Your Realtor Is Right For You With These Questions

Questions About Your Realtor’s Experience

  • How familiar are you with the neighborhoods I'm interested in?
  • What percentage of your clients are first-time buyers?
  • Can I see reviews from past clients or talk to a few of your recent first-time buyers?

These answers tell you if they really know your market and understand first-time buyer concerns.

» MORE: Check out our Free First-Time Homebuying Guide to get an overview of what to expect when buying a home from beginning to end.

Questions About Your Realtor’s Process

  • Walk me through how we'll search for homes.
  • I’m a hands-on type of person, are you prepared to hold my hand throughout this process?
  • What happens if I'm not happy with our progress?

Good agents have clear systems and aren't afraid to explain them.

Questions That Save You Money

  • Is now a good time to buy in this area?
  • Which neighborhoods are becoming popular?
  • What costly repairs do you often spot?

💡 Tip: If they avoid these questions, it might mean they're not fully aware of their market or may not be prioritizing your financial interests.

Questions About The Neighborhood

  • Are any big developments planned nearby?
  • Why are people moving here - or leaving?
  • Which areas should I avoid?

Look for honest answers, not just sales talk. Great agents are upfront with you, even if it means you'll continue your search.

Questions About Money

  • How do you negotiate to get me the best price?
  • When might you advise me to offer above the asking price?
  • What red flags do you watch for that could cost me later?

Agents want you to afford your home; struggling buyers don't refer customers!

» MORE: Use our Home Affordability Calculator to see how much you'll need for a down payment and break it into manageable monthly savings goals.

Questions About Plan B

  • What if we find major issues after an offer has been submitted?
  • Which contingencies do you typically recommend?
  • What happens if I need to back out?

A professional agent will gladly explain your escape routes in a way that feels open and helpful.

The Big Question Most People Forget

  • What haven't I asked that I should know about?

This question often reveals golden nuggets of advice - and shows you if your agent thinks ahead for clients. Not asking this question could mean missing out on crucial information that could affect your homebuying experience, so don't be afraid to ask.

» NEXT: Take the Homebuyer Readiness Quiz to discover just how ready you are to buy your dream home!

The best real estate agents want you to ask these questions. They know informed buyers make successful homeowners, and successful homeowners tell their friends who their realtor was.

Helpful Tips for Speaking with a Realtor:

  • Take notes during conversations
  • Ask for explanations if something's unclear or too technical
  • Trust your gut if answers feel evasive

Don't worry about asking dumb questions. There are no dumb questions when you're making one of the biggest investments you'll ever make.

Yes, realtors make commission. But here's the thing - good agents build their entire business on referrals and repeat clients. The best ones prioritize helping you find the ideal home over quickly earning a dollar and never hearing from you again.