12 Questions to Ask a Buyer's Agent Before You Hire One

You will sign a written agreement with your agent. Ask these first.

In Georgia, buyers and agents now put their working relationship in writing — usually before touring. That agreement sets how long it lasts, what area it covers and how your agent is paid, and all of it is negotiable. See buyer agency agreements.

1. 1. What does your buyer agreement say, and how long does it last?

   Ask for a copy before you sign. You can usually agree a shorter term, or limit it to a particular area or even a single home.

   Read the sections on duration, the geographic area covered, compensation and what happens if you buy a home you found yourself. Ask the agent to explain any part that is unclear before you sign.

2. 2. How are you paid, and what happens if the seller won't pay it?

   Compensation is negotiable and must be stated in the agreement. Ask what you would owe if the seller does not offer to cover it, and whether you can ask the seller for a concession. See who pays the buyer's agent.

3. 3. Can I end the agreement if it isn't working?

   Ask how termination works and what, if anything, you would owe afterward.

   Some agreements include a protection period after termination, during which compensation may still be owed if you buy a home the agent showed you. Understand that period's length and scope.

4. 4. How well do you know the areas I'm looking at?

   Local knowledge matters for pricing, school zones, flood areas and commute patterns. Ask what they have sold or shown recently nearby.

   A good agent can tell you which streets flood, which subdivisions have active HOAs, and how prices differ on either side of a school zone line. Ask for examples.

5. 5. How quickly can you get me into a house?

   Good homes go fast. Ask about availability on weekdays and weekends, and how they handle same-day showings.

6. 6. How do you decide what to offer?

   A good answer involves recent comparable sales, days on market and the seller's situation — not just the list price.

   Ask them to walk you through a recent offer they wrote: the comparable sales they used, how they read the competition and what terms they used besides price.

7. 7. How do you handle the due diligence period?

   Ask how they schedule inspections, which specialists they use, and how they negotiate repairs and credits before the period ends.

   Because Georgia buyers can terminate for any reason during due diligence, the agent's ability to schedule inspectors quickly and negotiate before the deadline matters a great deal.

8. 8. Will you be the one I talk to?

   Some agents hand clients to assistants or partners. Know who will show you homes and who will negotiate.

   Teams can work well when roles are clear. Ask who will attend showings, who will be at the inspection and who negotiates on your behalf.

9. 9. How do you communicate, and how fast?

   Text, call or email — agree how you will hear about new listings, offers and deadlines.

10. 10. Do you work with new construction?

    The builder's sales agent represents the builder. If you might buy new, ask whether your agent will register with the builder on your first visit. See buying new construction.

11. 11. What lenders, inspectors and attorneys do you recommend, and why?

    Recommendations are useful; you are still free to choose your own. Ask whether they have any business relationship with those they recommend.

12. 12. Are you licensed in Georgia, and under which brokerage?

    Every agent works under a brokerage licensed by the Georgia Real Estate Commission. You can verify a licence on the commission's public lookup.

General information for Georgia home buyers, not legal, tax or lending advice. Loan programs, rates, limits, tax rates and insurance terms are set by lenders, agencies, counties and insurers and change — confirm current figures with them, and have your closing attorney review anything you sign.