5 Essential Questions to Ask Your Realtor

When it comes to buying or selling your home, one of your most important decisions is your choice of a realtor. This professional will guide you through the complex process of home buying or selling, providing expert advice and support every step of the way.

You absolutely must have complete confidence in their abilities — if you don’t, why even bother?! Homes are almost always your largest asset. You should put serious thought into who you’re asking to help you through the process.

That’s why you should interview your prospective realtor before starting the process. This isn't just about asking about their fees and commission rates — it's also about understanding their experience, expertise, and approach to their work.

The answers they give can give you all kinds of insights into how they operate and whether they're the right fit for you. But this goes both ways! It's also a chance for you to help them understand your own expectations and requirements.

This makes life easier for everyone. They can more effectively and efficiently do their job, and you don’t have to constantly tell them to change direction.

What questions should you be asking your realtor? I’m so glad you brought it up! Chrissy the #DentonRealtor is here to give you the most important questions to ask so that you can feel confident in the realtor you choose.

1. How Much Experience Do You Have with Homes in This Price Range?

This is important because a realtor who regularly works with properties in your budget will have a much better understanding of how much house you can expect to get when buying or how much you’ll likely get for your property when selling.

It's not just about the number of years they've been in the business — it's about how well they understand the specific segment of the market you're interested in. Just because someone’s been a realtor for a million years doesn’t mean they are the best fit for you.

Remember, there's a big difference between selling a million-dollar mansion and a modest family home. The marketing strategies, negotiation tactics, and buyer expectations can vary a ton, so you need a realtor who understands it all for your price range.

2. Do You Have Reviews from Previous Clients That I Can Read?

Reviews or testimonials from previous clients are as important when picking realtors as when buying something on Amazon! Any good realtor will have no problem providing these, which will give you peace of mind.

If they’re not willing to give you reviews, act weird about it when you ask, or don’t have any at all, that’s a big ole’ red flag. No reviews means they’re brand new, and you probably won’t be comfortable working with someone who’s never done this before.

If they act strangely when you ask or don’t want to give you any, I’ll give you three guesses about why that is — they probably suck!

However, just getting the reviews from them isn’t enough — don't just take their word for it! Do your own research online to see what others are saying. Websites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Google can give you all the reviews you need.

Remember, though, to take each review with a grain of salt. Some people are impossible to please, so a handful of bad reviews doesn’t necessarily mean anything. If the trend is positive, they’re probably a good pick.

3. Are You Part-Time or Full-Time?

While this isn’t necessarily a problem if someone is part-time, the reality is that a full-time realtor is going to give you their complete attention and energy — a part-time realtor just can’t do that.

A full-time realtor is going to have more availability to show you properties and will be able to more quickly respond to your questions and concerns.

That doesn’t mean all part-time realtors are bad — some are great — it just means they’re not going to be able to completely prioritize you like a full-time realtor would.

4. What Are Your Fees?

Understanding how and how much your realtor will be paid can right from the beginning is super important.

Not everyone is willing to pay for a realtor, even though the pay is almost always on commission and is usually paid by the seller, so you need to have a good understanding of what you’re getting into before you pull the trigger.

You’ll just want to confirm the exact percentage and understand whether there are any additional fees or charges. If this is something that really bothers you, it might be better to look into other methods of selling.

5. How Will We Communicate?

Clear and frequent communication is key in any realtor-client relationship. Someone who is responsive is great, but not all realtors are able to respond immediately or during certain times of the day.

Find out exactly what the communication plan is so that you won’t be annoyed if they don’t respond at certain times.

Find out if you’ll communicate via email, phone calls, text messages, or in-person meetings (or all of the above). Ask how frequently you’ll receive updates. Find out how quickly you can expect responses to your questions.

All that being said, you want a realtor who will keep you informed and updated regularly but who also respects your time and doesn't overload you with unnecessary information. And they want the same thing! Making sure you’re on the same page saves everyone a headache.

Keep Asking!

These are just the most important questions — don't be shy about asking more! Ask until you’re blue in the face.

Trust me, your realtor would rather get all the questions answered up front than have them come up later.

When you’ve finally exhausted your list, you’ll know if they’re right for you!

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Meet Chrissy Mallouf: Denton's Premier Real Estate Agent and TV Host

Experience the difference with Chrissy Mallouf, where real estate expertise meets a love for Denton! Chrissy is, your #DentonRealtor!

With over three decades of residency and an unwavering commitment to Denton, she's developed unmatched expertise in the local real estate scene. As a multi-time #1 agent at Keller Williams Realty Denton and a recipient of prestigious "Best of Denton" titles for 10 consecutive years, Chrissy's impact on the community is undeniable.

She's not just a top-producing Realtor; she's also a dedicated wife and mother who balances her family life with professional success. In a delightful surprise to her real estate career, Chrissy is now a television host on The American Dream, showcasing Denton's vibrant culture and real estate to a national audience. In every sense of the word, Chrissy Mallouf is your #DentonRealtor, a tireless advocate for her clients, and an asset to the Denton community.

When you're ready to make Denton your home, trust Chrissy to guide you through every step of the journey.