Buy · Working with an agent
What should I ask a buyer's agent before I hire them?
Short answerYou'll sign a written agreement with your agent before you tour homes, so treat the first conversation like an interview. Ask about experience, availability, how they're paid, the agreement terms, and how they'd help you win in your price range and area.
The questions (and what good answers sound like)
| Ask | Listen for | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| How many buyers have you helped in this area and price range? | Specific, recent local experience | Vague or “I do it all” with no examples |
| How do you communicate, and how fast do you respond? | Clear expectations (text, call, same-day) | “I’ll get back to you when I can” |
| Who will I actually work with: you or a team member? | A straight answer | Surprise hand-offs |
| What’s your compensation, and who pays it? | Clear amount or rate; explains how seller-paid comp is submitted with the offer package | Can’t explain it simply |
| What’s our relationship: transaction broker or single agent? | Explains the difference | Doesn’t know |
| How long is the agreement, what does it cover, and how do I end it? | Reasonable term, clear exit | Long term, no exit |
| How do you help buyers win in multiple offers? | Strategy beyond “offer more” | Pushes you to waive protections |
| Do you know new construction / STRs / [your goal]? | Real experience with your type of purchase | Learning on your dime |
| Can you recommend lenders, inspectors, insurance agents? | Several options, no pressure | Only one “must use” vendor |
Read the agreement before you sign
- Exclusive or not? An exclusive buyer brokerage agreement means you work only with that brokerage for the term. A Showing Agreement covers only specific homes.
- Term and area. How long, and which areas or property types?
- Compensation. The amount or rate, and what happens if the seller won’t pay it.
- Ending it. Ending early takes the brokerage’s agreement, so ask how they handle it (more here).
Want to interview me?
Ask me anything on this list. I’m happy to answer, even if you end up going with someone else.
Frequently asked questions
Is a buyer agent's fee negotiable?
Yes. Under the national rules, the buyer agreement must say compensation is negotiable and set an amount or rate.
Sources
Related answers
Do I Have to Sign Something Before an Agent Shows Me a Home in Florida? (And Who Pays My Agent Now?)
What Florida buyers sign before touring homes, what the agreement has to say about pay, who actually pays your agent, and what to ask before you sign.
First-time buyer in Florida? The questions to answer before you tour
The questions to answer before you tour: why, where, what and when you want to buy, your budget, and what you want in an agent.
Transaction broker vs. single agent in Florida: what's the difference, and which should you pick?
Florida agents are transaction brokers by default; a single agent must be set up in writing. Both guide and negotiate for you. Here's how they differ, the trade-off, and how to choose.