Top 6 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Realtor
Here are the six key areas to cover when evaluating a realtor:
Experience & Local Knowledge
How long have they worked in your area?
Do they understand the unique aspects of neighborhoods like The Dominion or King William?
Track Record & Results
How many homes have they sold recently?
Do they have success stories or data to back up their expertise?
Communication & Response Time
How will they keep you updated?
Are they quick to respond, even during urgent situations?
Marketing Strategy
What tools and platforms do they use to promote properties?
Do they offer professional photos, virtual tours, and digital ads?
Negotiation Skills
Can they share examples of successfully navigating tough deals?
How do they handle multiple offers or complex transactions?
Market Knowledge
Are they familiar with current trends, pricing strategies, and local market conditions?
Do they use data-driven approaches like comparative market analysis (CMA)?
These questions will help you assess a realtor’s expertise, communication style, and ability to deliver results.
Quick Comparison
Evaluation Area
Key Qualities
Red Flags
Experience & Knowledge
Local expertise, clear examples
Vague answers, lack of neighborhood focus
Track Record
Data-backed results, recent success
Few or no recent transactions
Communication
Prompt responses, clear updates
Delayed or inconsistent communication
Marketing Strategy
Uses modern tools (photos, virtual tours)
Outdated or minimal marketing efforts
Negotiation Skills
Creative problem-solving, calm under pressure
Poor handling of offers or conflicts
Market Knowledge
Up-to-date with trends, data-driven pricing
Relies on outdated or irrelevant info
Use this guide to choose a realtor who aligns with your goals and ensures a smoother buying or selling process.
1. Check Experience and Area Knowledge
When choosing a realtor, it's essential to evaluate their local experience and understanding of the market. A strong track record in the area can make a huge difference in their ability to help you navigate the process.
Years of Service in San Antonio
Experience in San Antonio's real estate market is critical, especially given the city's changing trends. For instance, Daniel Cabrera has over 15 years of expertise in San Antonio's construction, finance, and investment sectors, making him a reliable choice.
Here are a few questions you might ask to gauge experience:
"How long have you worked in San Antonio real estate?"
"What major market shifts have you observed during your time here?"
"How has your experience helped you navigate San Antonio's current market?"
Area Specialization
San Antonio’s neighborhoods each have their own character and market characteristics. Some of the city's most notable areas include:
Historic District
Highlights
King William
First historic district (1968), listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1972)
Monte Vista
Recognized as the largest historic district in the U.S.
Your realtor should have detailed knowledge of the neighborhoods you're interested in. For example, Matthew Resnick’s expertise in The Dominion area led to a standout success: Dr. Paul and Tamra Ratner sold their home at full asking price within just three weeks.
"Matthew is a consummate professional. He is a true real estate expert within the San Antonio community." - Tomas Martinez III, Owner of Luxury Home Magazine
The right realtor will offer insights on:
Market trends in specific neighborhoods
School district performance
Transportation options
Upcoming development projects
Local amenities
Membership in the San Antonio Board of Realtors (SABOR) can also signal a realtor’s dedication to understanding the local market. Their knowledge should go beyond property details and include practical tips about living in different areas.
"Matthew is a pleasure to work with as he is highly organized with a positive attitude and a sharp attention to detail. His knowledge and experience with the San Antonio real estate community is an asset to his sellers and buyers alike." - Mark Drew, Vice President - Private Banking Mortgage
A realtor with this level of expertise can make your experience smoother and more successful. Once you've assessed their knowledge, it's time to examine their track record.
2. Review Recent Results
Take a closer look at a realtor's recent track record to see how well they're performing in a market that has seen an 11% drop in home sales. This step builds on earlier evaluations of local expertise by focusing specifically on recent data and measurable achievements.
Number of Recent Transactions
With 1,502 homes sold in San Antonio over the past 30 days, understanding how your realtor fits into this picture is crucial.
Consider asking these questions about their recent activity:
"How many properties have you closed in San Antonio in the last 12 months?"
"What percentage of your transactions were for properties like mine?"
"How many homes have you sold in my price range?"
Here’s a quick snapshot of the current San Antonio market:
Market Indicator
Current Status
Median Home Price
$265,000
Average Days on Market
77 days
Recent Price Trend
-3% decrease
Market Condition
Cooling (buyer’s market)
While transaction numbers are important, real-world examples of success can offer even more insight into a realtor’s capabilities.
Recent Success Stories
In a market that’s cooling, it’s essential to work with a realtor who knows how to adjust their strategies.
Key performance metrics to review:
List-to-Sale Price Ratio: Indicates how close sale prices are to the original listing price.
Marketing Impact: Professional staging, for example, can boost sale prices by up to 13%.
Time to Sale: Currently averaging 77 days.
Ask for specific examples that highlight:
Successful handling of multiple offers.
Smart pricing strategies tailored to market conditions.
Creative and effective marketing techniques.
Resolving complex transaction challenges.
A realtor’s ability to thrive in today’s conditions - where homes take longer to sell and prices level out - shows their skill in navigating a shifting market.
3. Check Response Time and Updates
Quick and clear communication can make or break a deal in real estate. Before signing on with a realtor, it's essential to understand how they handle communication.
Progress Update Methods
A good realtor should have a reliable system to keep you informed at every stage of the process.
"Every home seller expects their real estate agent to keep them in the loop about the progress of the sale. They want agents to communicate with them daily or weekly and inform and update them."
Here are some important questions to ask:
What platforms or tools do they use to share updates?
How often will they send market activity reports?
What kind of updates should you expect during each phase of the transaction?
These updates, paired with quick responses, help paint a clear picture of the realtor's communication approach.
Response Times
According to industry data, 90% of customers value instant responses when they need help. In real estate, this is especially critical in situations like multiple-offer scenarios where timing can be everything.
"I expect a response within 15 minutes - no more than an hour. Delays prompt me to seek alternatives." - David Bailey-Lauring, CEO at Blu Mint Digital
When assessing a realtor's responsiveness, consider:
Do they have a backup plan for when they're unavailable?
What are their preferred contact methods for different situations?
Are they available during weekends or outside regular hours?
How do they handle urgent matters?
Clear communication practices like these are essential for evaluating how well a realtor can manage crucial negotiations.
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4. Learn About Marketing Plans
Once communication practices are in place, the next key factor is how your realtor promotes your property. Their marketing strategy directly impacts how quickly your property sells and the price it fetches.
Property Marketing Strategy
A solid marketing plan combines both digital and traditional methods, with a strong emphasis on high-quality visuals.
"With these property marketing tips, you can reach potential buyers in San Antonio, TX without delay. You'll attract more clients, leading to more sales and stronger commissions." - San Antonio Property Management Inc.
Here’s what the data reveals:
Properties with professional photos tend to sell faster.
Listings featuring at least 20 images often sell within a month.
Professionally edited photos can increase asking prices by up to 47% per square foot.
When discussing marketing strategies, ask about:
High-quality photography, staging, and virtual tours
Social media presence and engagement strategies
Email marketing campaigns
Coverage on property listing platforms
Digital advertising methods
Buyer Outreach Methods
With most buyers using mobile devices to search for homes, an effective outreach strategy should cater to this trend.
Key platforms and their roles include:
Platform
Coverage
Purpose
Facebook
Primary
Community engagement
Instagram
Secondary
Visual storytelling
YouTube
Supplementary
Virtual tours
Email Marketing
Essential
Lead nurturing
Important questions to consider:
How do they measure the success of their marketing efforts?
What strategies do they use for virtual tours and remote showings?
How do they approach targeted advertising?
What’s their typical response time to buyer inquiries?
Interestingly, nearly 80% of buyers said they’d switch to an agent offering 3D property tours. Make sure to tailor your questions to how these strategies are applied in the San Antonio market.
Next, take a look at their negotiation skills to round out your evaluation.
5. Assess Deal-Making Skills
Having strong negotiation skills can make all the difference when securing favorable terms and navigating tricky transactions.
Past Negotiation Results
Negotiation isn't just about price - it’s about understanding the seller’s priorities and crafting a deal that works for everyone.
"Price isn't always what the seller is looking for." - Gabby Taylor, Top Selling Real Estate Agent
To evaluate a realtor's negotiation approach, consider these key skill areas:
Skill Area
Key Attribute
Research
Knowledge of property values and market trends
Communication
Clear updates and explanations of available options
Strategy
Ability to apply varied strategies to reach agreements
Problem-solving
Creative solutions to overcome challenges
Ask for specific examples of how they’ve handled tough situations, such as appraisal gaps, inspection concerns, conflicting timelines, or multiple offers.
"Perhaps no situation routinely faced by REALTORS® can be more frustrating, fraught with potential for misunderstanding and missed opportunity, and elusive of a formulaic solution than presenting and negotiating multiple purchase or lease offers and/or counter-offers on the same property." - National Association of REALTORS®
Understanding how a realtor manages these scenarios can reveal their expertise and adaptability.
Multiple Offer Management
In competitive markets like San Antonio, handling multiple offers requires precision and a clear strategy. A skilled realtor will know how to evaluate bids, communicate effectively with all parties, and time counteroffers strategically.
"Learn what the other party needs - not really why they are selling or buying, but what'll satisfy them that they have a win-win sale. Ask the agent questions and praise the good points of the property or the nice character of the buyers if you've met them. Put together the best deal so that the closing is smooth and successful. I've closed many deals using this mindset." - Kathryn Bishop, Realtor, Beverly & Company Luxury Properties
When discussing multiple offer scenarios, ask your realtor about their approach to assessing offer strength (beyond just price), managing deadlines, and maintaining professionalism. For instance, a client who offered $10 over asking beat out three full-price offers and secured the property.
"For negotiations, we follow the 3 Ps: push, pull, and persist. This helps us have options as the discussions progress or regress. For example, we push information, data, proactive help, understanding and listening. We persist, relentless in our pursuit of getting to yes. And we can pull: yes … pull the deal away." - Ryan Serhant, Broker, CEO and Founder, SERHANT
Look for a realtor who stays calm under pressure and consistently finds solutions that benefit all parties. Ask them to share examples where their negotiation skills were key to closing a challenging deal.
6. Test Market Knowledge
After evaluating communication and negotiation skills, the next step is assessing a realtor's understanding of the market. This knowledge ensures they can accurately price and position your property for success.
San Antonio Market Updates
Being up-to-date with local market trends is essential for making informed decisions. Here’s a snapshot of San Antonio's housing market as of March 2024:
Market Indicator
Current Status
Year-Over-Year Change
Median Home Price
$305,000
Down 4.4%
Days on Market
79 days
Up 7%
Inventory Level
4.4 months
Balanced market
Sale vs. List Price
2.21% below asking
Buyer's advantage
"As of October 2024, San Antonio leans toward being a buyer's market. Homes are selling slightly below asking price, averaging 2.21% under list price, which further supports a buyer's advantage in negotiations".
Several factors are shaping the city's market dynamics:
Population growth is 210% faster than the national average.
Job creation is 54% higher than the national average, with 30,000 new jobs added in 2023.
Housing inventory is steadily increasing, offering more options to buyers.
Property Pricing Method
Understanding how a realtor approaches pricing is just as important as tracking market trends. A solid pricing strategy typically includes:
Analysis Component
Key Considerations
Historical Data
26.2% value growth since summer 2020
Current Trends
4.4-month inventory levels
Neighborhood Specifics
Developments and local amenities
Property Condition
Comparative features and recent updates
While the median home price in San Antonio is $305,000, neighborhood-specific pricing can vary widely. For instance, new construction duplexes average around $500,000, while fourplexes can reach $985,000.
"Personalized market reports for specific neighborhoods demonstrate a commitment to individual real estate needs." - Brian Icenhower.
When interviewing potential realtors, consider asking about their:
Access to SABOR (San Antonio Board of REALTORS®) monthly statistics.
Use of comparative market analysis (CMA) tools.
Knowledge of trends in counties like Bexar, Kendall, and Medina.
Understanding of the differences between new construction and resale properties.
Recent data shows average market times ranging from 79 to 89 days. A realtor with a clear grasp of these trends and pricing strategies can significantly impact the success of your transaction.
Next Steps
Now that we've covered the six essential questions, here's how you can take the next steps to make your decision:
Evaluation Area
Key Qualities
Warning Signs
Experience & Knowledge
Provides clear market stats and examples
Uses inflated numbers or gives vague answers
Communication Style
Responds promptly with detailed answers
Is unresponsive or overly impersonal
Marketing Strategy
Maintains a strong digital presence
Relies on outdated tactics or appearance-focused efforts
Problem-Solving
Shares specific examples of challenges overcome
Shifts blame or shows excessive overconfidence
Market Expertise
Uses current, local market data
Relies on old or irrelevant information
Use this table as a guide to objectively evaluate and compare realtors.
"If an agent has a good story or admits to a mistake, that speaks a lot to their character. It shows me that they can learn from their mistakes and do better next time around. But, if you're quick to point the finger at someone else, then that's a red flag for me. Agents need to be accountable." - Andrew Riguzzi, Senior Vice President and Founding Member of a Compass team
To finalize your decision:
Verify certifications and sales figures
Confirm their availability and responsiveness
Ensure their specialization aligns with your needs (e.g., military relocation, senior services)
The right fit matters - choose a realtor who communicates openly and has a strong understanding of the San Antonio market.