Whether you’re selling your home in Manassas, VA, buying your first house in Woodbridge, or just starting to dip your toes into the real estate market in Haymarket or Dumfries, one thing remains true across the board: choosing the right real estate agent can make or break your experience.
But how do you know if an agent is the right fit for you?
In this guide, we’ll cover the 5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Real Estate Agent—so you can save time, money, and avoid unnecessary stress.
Let’s jump in.
1. What’s Your Experience With Homes in My Area?
Before anything else, local knowledge should be at the top of your list.
Whether you’re selling in Bristow, purchasing in Triangle, or eyeing a new build in Gainesville, you’ll want someone who knows the ins and outs of that neighborhood. Ask about:
- Their recent transactions in your zip code
- Market trends specific to your area
- School districts, commuting routes, and future developments
Why this matters: Agents with boots-on-the-ground knowledge can price your home accurately, market it more effectively, and help you avoid common buyer/seller pitfalls.
Bonus tip: Ask what percentage of their business is in your town. A strong presence in, say, Haymarket versus just listing a property there once a year? Big difference.
2. What’s Your Commission and What’s Included?
Let’s be real: real estate commissions are a hot topic right now. And they should be.
Many sellers don’t realize just how much they’re paying until they’re sitting at the closing table.
Typical listing agents charge 2.5–3% just to list your home. But at Real Home Connect, our partner agents list homes for just 1%—with no extra fees. That can save you thousands of dollars, especially in Northern Virginia’s high-value markets.
Ask your agent:
- What’s your listing commission?
- Are there additional marketing fees?
- Will you handle professional photography, staging advice, open houses, etc.?
If they fumble through this or aren’t transparent, take that as a red flag.
📞 Want to skip the haggling? Call 703-678-8238 or visit realhomeconnect.com to connect with a 1% listing agent today.
3. How Will You Market My Property?
This is one of the most overlooked questions to ask a real estate agent when selling. The days of just putting a sign in the yard and crossing your fingers are over.
You want to know:
- Will my home be featured on the MLS and major platforms like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin?
- Will you invest in professional photography and 3D virtual tours?
- Do you run targeted Facebook or Google ads?
- Will you promote my home to other agents or buyer networks?
This question will separate agents who hustle for you from those who go through the motions.
Extra insight: A good listing agent should have a detailed, repeatable plan for marketing—not just a vague promise to “get the word out.”
4. How Do You Communicate With Your Clients?
This may seem basic, but it’s one of the most important questions to ask your realtor when buying your first home or selling under a time crunch.
Why it matters: Real estate is fast-paced. Missed calls, slow responses, and poor communication can cost you offers, opportunities—or worse.
Ask:
- How quickly do you respond to texts or calls?
- Will I be working directly with you or your team?
- How do you update me throughout the process?
If you’re looking for transparency, responsiveness, and a smooth experience—this question will tell you a lot about how that agent runs their business.
5. What’s Your Track Record and Strategy?
Finally, it’s time to get results-driven.
Don’t be afraid to ask for hard numbers:
- How many homes have you sold in the last 12 months?
- What’s your average days on market?
- What’s your average list-to-sale price ratio?
- Can you provide recent client references?
This is your money and your future—you deserve to work with someone who takes that seriously.
Bonus: Questions to Ask a Real Estate Agent Before Hiring Them
Still curious? Here are a few more power questions pulled from the pros:
- What questions to ask a realtor when buying?
- How do you help first-time buyers stay competitive in a seller’s market?
- What’s your negotiation style?
- Do you have a preferred lender, inspector, or title company?
- What questions to ask a real estate agent as a student?
- Can you help me find housing near my school?
- Do you work with co-signers or nontraditional financing?
- What are the 24 questions to ask a real estate agent?
- That’s a big list, but start with these 5 and you’ll already be ahead of 90% of sellers.
The Real Home Connect Advantage
If this all feels like a lot—we hear you. That’s why Real Home Connect exists: to simplify the process and connect homeowners with local, top-rated agents who are:
✅ Experienced
✅ Transparent
✅ Friendly
✅ And committed to listing your home for just 1%—no hidden fees, ever
Serving Manassas, Woodbridge, Triangle, Bristow, Gainesville, Haymarket, and Dumfries, we’ve helped hundreds of Virginia homeowners sell smarter and save more.
Final Thoughts: Knowledge is Power (and Profit)
Choosing a real estate agent is one of the most important decisions you’ll make during the selling or buying process. Ask the right questions, compare apples to apples, and never settle for vague answers or bloated fees.
Remember, if someone’s uncomfortable with you asking smart questions—they’re not the right fit.
Ready to Sell? Let’s Talk.
📞 Call us today at 703-678-8238
🌐 Visit: realhomeconnect.com
✅ Connect with top local agents who list for just 1%—no hidden fees.
💰 Keep more of your equity. Move on your terms.