Use this interview checklist from Deb Olender.

What to look for in an agent

Checklist for Interviewing a Buyer’s Agent

Choosing a Buyer’s Agent doesn’t have to be a blind choice – be prepared by interviewing a few realtors and making sure their skills match up with your needs.

Some general things you might want to look for in an agent include

• They listen to you attentively and respond to your questions clearly
• They spend time getting to know you and understanding your needs
• They are aware of and experienced with listings in your price range
• They are familiar with your chosen neighbourhood
• They view the ‘end goal’ as your needs being met, not just a successful transaction
• They are dedicated to their profession and have strong references from past buyers

Here are some questions you should ask a potential agent during an interview

• How long have you been working as a realtor?
• What do you think are your strengths in real estate?
• Do you work as a full-time realtor? Do you have assistants that will be involved?
• How many properties did you work with in the past year, and what was the average price?
• Are you familiar with this neighbourhood? How many properties have you dealt with within this area?
• Do you have complete access to the Multiple Listing Service? Will you be able to email relevant listings to me?
• Could you please provide contact information for three past buyers, so that I may ask them about their experience with you as their agent?