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How to "Interview" Potential Buyer Clients

By
Industry Observer with RETIRED / State License is Inactive Inactive License Oregon

How many times has a potential buyer wanted to meet you in order to "Interview" you?

Every time someone wants to meet me so they can "interview" me I fall out of my chair laughing.  

Why???

Because it's funny!!! (At least to me).  It's quite humorous, and ironic, don't you think?  How in the heck can someone with no experience in real estate "interview" an agent with any semblance of knowledge?  .

But, I love to meet people and while meeting I have my own set of "Interview" questions.  They are:

  • What's your experience in real estate?
  • Have you worked with another agent in the last 6 months?  If so, why aren't your working with them now?
  • Have you made an offer on any property in the last 6 months?  If so, why didn't that deal work?
  • Do you want me to work short sales for you?
  • Do you want to look at distressed properties?
  • Have you been to see a lender in the last 6 months?
  • Are you working with a lender?  If so, who are they and who are they affiliated with?
  • Did you lock your interest rate?
  • What's your down payment?
  • What's your ability to pay closing costs?
  • What area are you looking?
  • Are you in a lease?  
  • What's your moving time frame?
  • What are you looking for in a home?
  • How flexible are you in terms of "condition"
  • What's a contingency?
  • How do you remove a contingency"
  • What area do you want to live in?
  • Where do you work?  
  • Is commuting a part of your daily routine?
  • Do you have school-age children?
  • Are schools important to you?  If so, which schools are to be considered?
  • What amenities do you want to find in a home?
  • Do you know what absorption rate is?
  • What style home do you want?
  • Are you willing to put in some elbow grease/sweat equity?
  • Can you afford any updates?
  • Does the home have to be move-in ready?
  • Are you able to make repairs
  • When are you available to tour?
  • Do you have to make special arrangements prior to touring property (babysitter, etc.)
  • Do you want me to select properties to tour?
  • Do you want me to search for listings that might be viable, but in other areas and/or price ranges?
  • If the property has no garage, would that be okay?
  • How important is storage in the home or garage?
  • Do you want a large/r lot size?
  • Is the age of the home important?
  • How many homes have you bought in your lifetime?
  • How many homes have you sold in your lifetime?
  • Have you ever negotiated a purchase before?
  • Have you ever negotiated terms and conditions on behalf of a client before?
  • How many homes have you toured in the last six months?
  • Have you ever represented anyone in a "fiduciary" capacity?
  • Are you licensed by the State of Oregon in a professional capacity?
  • How many professional associations are you affiliated with?
  • Does your professional organization have a Code of Ethics?
  • Have you ever been present during a home inspection?  If so, how many?
  • What's reversed polarity?  It is a deal killer?
  • Do you know how to OPEN ESCROW?
  • Have you ever prepared legally binding documents for your clients?
  • Do you represent clients?
  • Is your mantra chant "It's a buyers' market, it's a buyers' market"?
  • Do you watch HGTV and believe everything you see?
  • What type of marketing do you do?
  • What type of research have you conducted on the current market?
  • What happens when there is an encroachment on the property, or a lot line discrepancy?
  • Have you ever read a pre-liminary title report?
  • What is title insurance?
  • Can all condos / townhomes qualify for FHA financing?
  • When buying in to an HOA what are some of the things you must be aware of?
  • Have you ever had a delay in closing due to an underwriter's unresolved condition?
  • What happens when the property doesn't appraise?
  • How many market reports have you made with reliable statistics?
  • Do you know the year Zillow started?  [A:  2008]
  • Do you know that I became licensed in 1999
  • Do you know what a Realtor does?

 

Yeah, all we do is open doors . . . 

 

Posted by

 

 

Carla Muss-Jacobs has RETIRED effective May 1, 2018

Representing Buyers in the Portland Metro Real Estate Market | Clackamas Multnomah and Washington Counties | Since 1999

Carla Muss-Jacobs, REALTOR®, ABR, CEBA, ePro
Principal Broker/Owner ~~ INACTIVE

Carla Muss-Jacobs' retirement became effective May 1, 2018

Direct: 503-810-7192 

 

All Rights Reserved © 

Dorte Engel
RE/MAX Leading Edge - Bowie, MD
ABC - Annapolis, Bowie, Crofton & rest of Maryland

Dear Carla,

That list is too comprehensive for me. I like Moti's short & sweet list better, although I am more apt to ask several from your list.

Feb 21, 2012 11:11 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Dear Dorte . . . you realize this was a tad on rhetorical, right!?! 

Feb 22, 2012 08:17 AM
Bob Miller
Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL
The Ocala Dream Team

Hi Carla, I suspect 80% of the "buyers are liars" get up and leave before you are 1/2 way through you interview. lol

Feb 22, 2012 08:49 AM
Brenda Mullen
RE/MAX Associates - San Antonio, TX
Your San Antonio TX Real Estate Agent!!

Darnit Carla...I want to see number 41's comment now...great response though to whatever it was lol :)!

Feb 22, 2012 08:56 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Hi Bob -- you realize this was a tad on the rhetorical, right?!?  I don't "interview" potential clients.  I do provide them with a consultation and we discuss real estate.  They aren't experienced enough to interview me.  Doesn't mean they aren't intelligent.  They've just never sold as much as me, and probably never will.  But you're right, the 80% of the buyers are liars would leave. 

Feb 22, 2012 08:58 AM
Jairo Arreola #SOLDBYVETERAN
PRG Real Estate - San Jose, CA
VA Home Loan Specialist - SF Bay Area

Im with Brenda- I was curious as to what #41 said, but at the same time it doesn't matter. Clearly, he said something that was wrong. Keep up the great work that you do for Buyer's Carla!

Feb 22, 2012 03:19 PM
Moti Krauthamer
Streambox - Seattle, WA
Streaming Real Estate Video Consultant

I read #41 before it was deleted and didn't think it was meant to be negative in any way.

As a recent buyer I love the list of questions too. I thought my agent was great because she could deal with me not answering all of the specific questions but still understood exactly what I was trying to accomplish. I answered many of those questions with “it depends”.  Because she could accept that as an answer she became my agent and got the sale.

Feb 22, 2012 04:32 PM
Ken Anderson
Apex Results Realty Inc., Brokerage - Burlington, ON
Broker in Burlington, Ontario

I had a prospect send me an email off my website with a laundry list of questions (over 50).  I advised him that some questions were inappropriate and I would let him know that they won't be answered (like how much money did you earn last year? - that's between me and Revenue Canada).  I further advised him that I charge $100/hr. for similar reports (like appraisals) and was he willing to sign a contract to pay me for the

2-3 hours that it would take me to answer all his queries (some required me to research my records).  I then said once I answered all his questions, I would require him to sign an exclusive Buyer Broker Agreement or supply just cause why he wouldn't.  Funny, I didn't hear back from him!

Feb 22, 2012 11:34 PM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

@ Moti . . . You didn't think comment #41 was meant to be negative in any way??  You have GOT to be kidding me.  I honestly don't make it a practice to delete comments.  When they are insulting and rude, I delete.

Since this is not your post, and the comments are not and were not directed to YOU, I would appreciate a little AR Community spirit -- especially coming from "staff."  It would find it truly amazing that comments directed to me are now somehow filtered through you to be processed.   Who cares if you didn't find the comment negative in any way.  I DID!!   Come on Moti, you're not that self-absorbed are you?

To be blunt, perhaps you don't quite get the intent of this post at all.  This post has nothing to do with you as a recent buyer and/or your experiences.  It's on a subject matter that I think a lot of real estate agents understand.  And in a weird, back asswards way, you are kinda proving my point.

That's swell that you are a recent buyer.  Molzol Tov!!  Why don't you write a blog about it?!?   Perhaps you did.  I wouldn't know, I don't follow you.

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH.

If you want to know what that sound is, please email me.  For now, please refrain from commenting further on any of my posts.  Thanks sug ;-)

Feb 23, 2012 01:44 AM
Karen Crowson
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Rancho Bernardo, CA
Your Agent for Change

WOW Carla, that's some list!  And taken has a straight checklist, it would sound overwhelming. But the fact of the matter is, these questions do come out over the course of several conversations in working with a new lead who becomes a prospect and then hopefully a client. I think your point was that there is a lot to ask on both sides of the equation. I'm 'interviewing' buyers, a much as they may be interviewing me. Met some yesterday that I will more than likely pass on.

Feb 23, 2012 06:15 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Hi Karen . . . my point wasn't that there is a lot of questions to ask on both sides -- although this is true, there are.  My point is that unless someone has the same skill set, they can't "interview" another person.  This was a tongue-in-cheek post about how buyers "interview" agents as if they are offering an agent a job.  They are not.  They are seeking buyer representation and fiduciary.  But, I concur . . . the "interview" process is a two way street!

Feb 23, 2012 06:27 AM
Diane M. Phillips Realtor 443-286-4365
Frankly Real Estate Inc. - Manchester, MD
Specializing in Carroll Co., MD

Carla ~ I love the list! Thanks for sharing it helped me tweak my onw list and make it a bit better.

Feb 23, 2012 10:03 AM
Cheryl Dukes . . . . . Intown Atlanta
Guaranteed Offer for your Home - eXp realty - Atlanta, GA

That's a lot of questions Ms. Muss-Jacobs. I'm going to see if I can answwer all of them. I can tell that you don't need to be sized up by any potential buyers of Portland Real Estate. They would be lucky to have you serve their real estate needs. 

Feb 23, 2012 10:53 AM
Wayne Jackson
Lakeshore Realty 208-714-4109 - Hayden, ID
North Idaho Realtor, Serving Coeur dnullAlene and Hayden Lake

Thanks for the post Carla. I'm going to print it out and use it.

Mar 12, 2012 07:04 AM
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

I didn't read #41 so I don't know what all that is about - but that aside I think your #44 comment should be a post itself.  That is exactly how I feel about the whole "interview" thing with buyers and sellers too.  Also, I like this one - Do you watch HGTV and believe everything you see?  Also, Do you search on Zillow and believe all the Zestimates?  -Kasey

Mar 19, 2012 12:56 PM
Joy Daniels
Joy Daniels Real Estate Group, Ltd. - Harrisburg, PA

I love this post Carla.  I can't wait to share this post with my office of agents!!  Very good!

Mar 24, 2012 12:03 PM
Mona Gersky
MoonDancer Realty, Dillsboro,NC - Sylva, NC
GRI,IMSD-Taking the mystery out of real estate.

This was hysterical and must have taken an hour to type out.  That is a hoot...buyers interviewing us, yeah right.  I want some of them to take a written exam before we get in the car!

Mar 24, 2012 01:58 PM
Ron Marshall
Marshall Enterprises - Saint Michael, MN
Birdhouse Builder Extraordinaire

I arrived via Charles Stallions via someone else.  This was very interesting.  Thanks, Carla.

Mar 24, 2012 11:32 PM
Michelle Gibson
Hansen Real Estate Group Inc. - Wellington, FL
REALTOR

Carla - LOVE IT!  Buyers are often floored when I tell them that I'm not interested in working with them, it's the beauty of being self-employed.  

Jun 16, 2012 12:01 PM
Thom Abbott
MyMidtownMojo.com |770.713.1505 | Intown Atlanta GA Condo Living - Atlanta, GA
Midtown Atlanta GA Condos For Sale

I almost missed this one! Awesome!

Over the top, no? You really bring up some great questions to throw out when that "honey, I know more about real estate than you do, even though I don't have a license, or run a real estate business" Buyer comes along....

 

LOVE IT!

Jun 16, 2012 12:24 PM