6 Things To Ask A Realtor: Must-Ask Questions to Trust the Right Realtor With Your Future

So it’s finally happened. You’re finally sitting down with a licensed real estate agent, ready to talk about buying your first home. Maybe you’ve scrolled listings late at night, bookmarked your dream kitchens, even driven by a few “For Sale” signs that made your heart skip. But now it’s real. You’re doing the thing.

Here’s what most buyers don’t realize: this conversation, called your buyer consultation, is where the foundation gets laid for your entire home buying experience. Not just for the kind of house you’re looking for, but also how the whole process will go with the Grove City real estate agent you choose.

How prepared are you? What expectations do you have? How well does your agent understand your goals, your budget, and your non-negotiables?

Essential questions like those will set the stage for a successful home-buying journey.

And yet, so many buyers walk into that meeting unsure of what to ask.

It’s not their fault. There’s a lot of noise out there, and not a lot of clarity. But asking the right questions early on? That can mean the difference between chasing listings that don’t fit… and finding a home you actually love.

Asking key questions during your buyer consultation is crucial to ensure the best fit and a smooth home-buying process.

In this post, I’m sharing six essential questions you should bring to your buyer consultation that you need to ask any real estate agent you’re considering working with.

These questions are designed to be helpful first and foremost. However, what’s more important than anything else is that I wish more buyers knew to ask these questions from the very beginning.

Ready to make your home search easier from the start?

Why Working With the Right Realtor Changes Everything When You’re Buying or Selling

When it comes to buying or selling a home, working with a licensed real estate agent can be a game-changer.

A real estate professional offers invaluable guidance and support throughout the home-buying process, ensuring you make informed decisions every step of the way. With their deep understanding of the local market, realtors can help buyers find their dream homes and sellers achieve the best possible price for their properties.

The benefits of working with a realtor extend beyond just finding a house or listing a property. They provide a wealth of resources and expertise, from market analysis to negotiation strategies, making the entire process smoother and more efficient.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned seller, having a knowledgeable agent by your side can make all the difference in navigating the complexities of the real estate market.

So, what questions should you ask a realtor that you're considering as your buyer's agent?

Question 1: What’s the First Step I Should Take After This?

This question might seem basic, but it’s the one that sets the entire tone for your home-buying journey. And surprisingly? Most buyers never ask it to any real estate agent they meet with. Yet it’s one that real estate professionals need to have a step-by-step answer to.

If you don’t ask this question to any buyer’s agent you’re considering, you’ll leave that first consultation with a vague sense of “next steps” and a stack of brochures. Most buyers think those steps include scrolling through Zillow more often or starting to browse open houses. But when it’s go-time, when the right home pops up, they’re not actually prepared to determine the next steps and move.

Why It Matters

If you don’t know what happens first, you won’t be ready when it counts. That can mean missing out on the home you love, getting outbid because your financing wasn’t lined up, or rushing into a decision without a real game plan.

What I Do That's Different

The first step? We create a roadmap tailored to you. Not just a generic checklist, but a customized plan that walks you through:

• Connecting with a lender and getting pre-approved (so you shop with confidence, not guesses).

• Understanding today’s market conditions, pricing trends, and how competition plays out.

• What happens when you want to tour a home, and how quickly you’ll need to act.

Working with the right real estate agent, you’ll leave that first meeting knowing exactly what to expect next week, next month, and on offer day. By creating a custom roadmap for your home buying journey, you won't have to worry about chasing listings. Why? Because you'll have a plan that works.

I believe that buying a home should feel intentional, not like you’re hoping for the best with each offer you put in.

Question 2: How Will You Help Me Find the Right Homes?

You’d think this part would be simple. You tell your real estate agent what you want, and they send you homes that match, right?

Understanding the costs associated with a specific property is crucial. Monthly expenses, such as utilities and property taxes, can vary significantly depending on individual home characteristics and location. Consulting with a Realtor can help you navigate these varying costs.

But here’s the reality: By working with an average real estate agent, many buyers end up buried under listing emails that don’t even come close. Wrong school district. Too small. Way over budget. It’s frustrating, confusing, and a waste of time.

Why It Matters

Your home search should feel exciting, not like a full-time job. If your buyer's agent isn’t filtering based on your priorities and your actual pre-approval, you’ll either fall in love with homes you can’t afford or feel like there’s nothing out there that fits.

What I Do That's Different

I don’t send you every listing; that would waste your time. I send you the right ones.

That means, you'll get updates from me complete with:

• Homes that align with your must-haves, timeline, and financing.

• Properties that are priced within your comfort zone and aligned with today’s competitive market.

• Places that make sense for your lifestyle, not just your budget.

Working with real estate professionals should be easy. That's why you don't just get emails from me, you get insight.

I flag opportunities you might miss, explain red flags before you even walk in the door, and help you understand why certain homes stand out. This is your biggest investment. You deserve more than a link and a “let me know.”

Because finding the right home is more than a search, it’s a strategy. And I’m here to guide it by taking the time to understand what you love, don't love, and want in your dream home. That's what a good prospective agent does.

Question 3: How Competitive Is the Market Right Now?

Knowing how competitive the markets are when you’re buying is critical to your real estate journey. And the answer to this question can completely change your approach to buying. And not just buying. It changes how you work with a seller’s agent, the sales price you’ll likely encounter, and, ultimately, the entire home-buying process.

Understanding if homes are flying off the market with multiple offers is critical. Are sellers making concessions? Is inventory tight or loosening up? These details matter. Because if you don’t know the current pace of play, it’s easy to overpay, underprepare, or miss your shot entirely.

Why It Matters

Buying in a competitive market means speed, strategy, and confidence. Buying in a slower one means negotiation, patience, and knowing when to walk. Either way, your approach should change depending on what’s actually happening, not what the headlines say.

What I Do That's Different

As an experienced real estate agent, I give you the real-time view of what’s happening right here in Grove City. Not just market stats, but insights from the ground that include things like:

• How fast homes are selling in the neighborhoods you’re looking at.

• What buyers are offering (and waiving) to win.

• Where you might be able to negotiate, and where you need to come in strong.

Why does this matter? Because searching for real estate shouldn't feel like a guessing game. I track what’s selling, what’s sitting, and why. And I will walk you through exactly how that affects your search. Because your strategy should match the moment, not just the market.

Question 4: What Costs Should I Expect Beyond the Down Payment?

A lot of first-time buyers walk in thinking, “I’ve got my down payment saved. Let’s do this.” But the down payment is only part of the story.

There’s a whole category of costs that come up before and after you get the keys, and if you’re not prepared, they can hit like a surprise you didn’t budget for.

Understanding the contract and its financial implications is crucial, as it includes critical contingencies and clauses protecting your interests during home-buying.

Why It Matters

Any real estate agent worth their salt knows that inspections, appraisals, closing costs, lender fees, moving expenses, and even utility deposits can quickly add up. If you’re not factoring them in from the start, it’s easy to feel like you’re constantly dipping into your savings or second-guessing your decision entirely.

What I Do That's Different

We build a full-picture budget together. Not just the sale price, but the real cost of buying. I break down what you’ll need to set aside for things like:

• Home inspections and appraisals

• Closing costs (and who typically pays what)

• Escrow, taxes, and insurance

• Post-move-in expenses, from furniture to fixes

And more importantly? As your real estate agent in Grove City, I connect you with local lenders who can walk through your numbers and loan options in plain English. No guessing. No “I wish someone had told me.” Just a clear, confident plan that puts you in control.

Question 5: How Will You Advocate for Me Throughout the Process?

Buying a home is about more than just unlocking doors and walking through houses. It’s a legal transaction, a negotiation, and sometimes a pressure cooker of decisions. You want to know that someone has your back the whole way through, serving as a valuable resource to guide you through the complexities of purchasing a home.

Why It Matters

Any prospective agent understands that this is likely one of the biggest purchases of your life. And yet, too many buyers are left to figure things out on their own. You need someone who can translate the fine print, stand firm in negotiations, and speak up for your best interests, especially when emotions run high or things get complicated.

What I Do That's Different

I’m not just here to find you a home. I’m here to protect your time, your budget, and your peace of mind.

From the first offer to the final signature, I work closely with you to:

• Review contracts line by line so you know what you’re signing

• Communicate with lenders, inspectors, and agents to keep things on track

• Negotiate with your goals front and center

• Spot red flags before they become problems

• Keep you informed and confident at every step

This process moves quickly, but I’ll ensure you never feel rushed, confused, or unprepared. I’m in your corner the entire time.

Question 6: What If I’m Not Sure What I Want Yet?

This is one of the most common concerns first-time buyers have, and one of the least talked about.

Why It Matters

There’s this unspoken pressure to show up to your first buyer consultation with a perfectly curated wishlist. Square footage, number of bedrooms, neighborhood, budget… all locked in. But real life doesn’t work like that. You’re allowed to be unsure. You’re allowed to explore.

What I Do That's Different

You don’t need all the answers on day one. That’s what I’m here for.

We’ll talk through what matters most to you—how you live, what you need from your space, what you love (and don’t). I’ll ask questions you may not have even thought about yet and help you narrow things down as we go, because figuring out what you don’t want is just as valuable as finding what you do.

You want a prospective agent who understands you’re not just buying a house. It's not that simple. Why? Because you’re buying a lifestyle. And the right agent doesn’t expect you to have it all figured out from the start. They help you discover it along the way.

Final Tips to Assess a Realtor’s Performance and Success

Assessing the performance and success of the right real estate agent is crucial to finding the right one. Start by asking about their experience and the number of clients they have worked with.

A good realtor should have a proven track record of helping buyers purchase homes and sellers sell their properties. This experience is a strong indicator of their ability to navigate the market and achieve successful outcomes for their clients.

Additionally, inquire about their sales volume and how many homes they have helped buyers purchase or sellers sell. This information provides insight into their level of experience and success in the industry.

A realtor with a high sales volume and a history of satisfied clients is more likely to deliver the results you’re looking for. Understanding their knowledge of the local market and current trends is also essential, as it ensures they can provide relevant and timely advice tailored to your needs.

Ready to Walk Into Your Buyer Consultation with Confidence?

The first meeting with a realtor in Grove City matters more than most buyers realize. Be sure to keep these things to ask a realtor in mind when you're meeting with any prospective buyer's agent.

When you work with me as your buyer’s agent, we’ll take a look at where you are, what makes sense for your timeline and budget, and how to approach this in a way that feels clear and manageable. My Roadmap to Sold provides a clear path forward, with no pressure or guesswork - just the steps you need, in the order that makes the most sense for you.

If you’re thinking about buying, reach out. I’ll be a great resource, meeting you where you are and walking you through the rest. Call or text me at (724) 992-4128, or fill out the short form on my website, and I’ll be in touch soon.