QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR REALTOR®

(This list is not exhaustive, but it will give you good information on which you can make a reasoned decision)



1. How many transactions or services of the type you are advertising have you successfully performed? Ask for specifics and contacts.

2. Do you have a list of your last five - ten customers? If so, get it and call them. Do your own background check. And note that even if the person or company is "highly recommended" by so-called satisfied customers, the risk of a scam is not eliminated entirely.

3. Are you licensed by the California Department of Real Estate? If not, why not? What exemption from the licensing laws do you claim? If they are licensed, check to see if they have been disciplined by the Department (go to www.dre.ca.gov).

4. What qualifies you as an expert? How did you get that expertise?

5. You state that you are a specialist. What specialist qualifications do you have and what does that mean?

6. You say that you are certified. Who issued the certification? Do any government entities or recognized industry trade groups (such as the California Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS® recognize the certification? If so, which ones? Then you can and should verify that information.

7. What course of study did you undertake to become certified or specialized?

8. When did you get the designation?

9. Did you take an examination? If so, who conducted the test, how long was the examination, and when did you take the examination?

10. What Are the Top Three Things That Separate You From Your Competition? A good agent won't hesitate to answer this question.

11. May I Review Documents Beforehand That I Will Be Asked to Sign? A sign of a good real estate agent is a professional who makes forms available to you for preview before you are required to sign them. If at all possible, ask for these documents upfront.

12. What kind of guarantee is there with a short sale? There is never any guarantee with a short sale, so this is an interesting question to ask!

13. What haven't I asked you that I need to know? Pay close attention to how the real estate agent answers this question because there is always something you need to know, always. You want an agent to take her time with you -- to make sure you feel comfortable and secure with her knowledge and experience.