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Ask The Right Questions

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 311291

As a Realtor, it is crucial to ask direct questions to understand your client's needs and preferences better. Listening to their answers is the key to getting properties under contract, but tact is equally important when asking these questions.


When working with a buyer, there are several questions that you should ask to help you find them the perfect home. Please start with the basics, such as whether they are working with an agent or have signed a buyer agency agreement. Find out who the decision-maker is and where they want to live. Ask them about their list of must-haves, such as a wood-burning fireplace, proximity to light rail, a particular school system, style of the house, type of lot, or parking situation. Knowing what they want will help you find them the ideal property.

 

It is also essential to ask about their financial situation. Please find out how they plan to pay for their new home, whether through a mortgage, cash, FHA, or VA loan. Do they have a lender and proof of funds? Understanding their financial situation will help you find the properties that fit their budget.

 

For sellers, it is equally important to ask the right questions. Find out when the house will be ready to show and photograph and where the seller will go when the right buyer comes along. Ask about any outstanding debts, mortgages, or equity loans on the property. Find out if they can afford to sell now and what they will do if they cannot get that amount.

 

You don't have to show or list every house - instead, focus on asking the essential questions to help you better understand your client's needs.

Asking direct questions is vital for Realtors looking to help clients buy or sell properties. Tact and professionalism are crucial, but so are the answers to your questions. Understanding your client's needs and preferences can help them sell, find the perfect property, and achieve their real estate goals. So, always make sure to ask the right questions!

Are you prepared to

Ask The Right Questions

Posted by

Margaret Rome
HomeRome Realty
Broker/Owner/Realtor®

Baltimore, Maryland


Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

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Show All Comments Sort:
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Margaret- excellent advice. You cannot begin to help someone unless and until you know what it is they want. You may find out you can't help them at all. You have to ask the right questions. 

Feb 09, 2024 07:58 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Kathy Streib 

But, with a buyer, you can rule out homes and move on to the next one if you ask the right questions.

Feb 10, 2024 05:09 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Margaret---asking questions can be good.  And asking better ones may lead to significant connections.   When careful listening is added to the scenario, more can be gained.

Feb 10, 2024 04:23 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Michael Jacobs,

If you are not going to listen carefully, there is no need to ask questions.

Feb 10, 2024 04:32 PM
Bill Salvatore - East Valley
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

Communicating is the key. Thanks for sharing, make it a great Saturday and enjoy your

weekend!

Bill Salvatore, Realtor- Arizona Elite Properties

Feb 10, 2024 04:38 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Thanks, BIll

Feb 10, 2024 05:10 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Associate Real Estate Broker

The most important part of asking the questions is to keep quiet and hear what that client is saying. Sone agents just like to hear their own voices.

Feb 10, 2024 04:50 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Understanding Client's Needs should be a topic that takes up quite a bit of new real estate salesperson classes. Knowing what they need is the only way to get them what they need!

Feb 10, 2024 04:51 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Kat Palmiotti 

I'm not confident that this can be taught in a classroom.

Feb 10, 2024 05:15 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Margaret. You should have a list of standard questions and constantly be editing them, adding to them and maybe even deleting a few. Listen intently and ask if you can take notes. Enjoy your day.

Feb 10, 2024 05:52 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Wayne Martin 

Listening and remembering their answers is the key to asking the right questions.

Feb 10, 2024 05:17 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Margaret,

Your post is full of excellent advice. A good Realtor will understand and practice asking the right questions and feel comfortable asking those crucial questions. In order for us to serve our clients we have to have the answers!

 

Feb 10, 2024 07:53 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Dorie Dillard Austin TX ,

Knowing the right questions is sometimes more important than having all the correct answers. 

Feb 10, 2024 05:21 PM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Miss Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 It is rare that I work with buyers these days. However when I did and if I do in the future I always start with the lender approval letter and proof of funds. 

I know you have talked people through why they should not sell, or sell now, all by asking a lot of questions.  

With the help of Caroline Gerardo we have helped save families from the need to sell the family home after the parents have died.  

Feb 10, 2024 09:24 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist 

I would like to have a conversation with you about this.  Just left you a message.

Feb 10, 2024 05:27 PM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist

Hello Miss Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400  

I apologize I was not available last night. I just listened to your voice message. My day is full today.  Perhaps another time?  

Feb 11, 2024 06:42 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Good morning, Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist,

No problem. Enjoy your day, and thanks for your response.

Feb 11, 2024 07:02 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Asking the right questions is a learned skill and once an agent 'gets' this aspect of the business their business will take off big time.  Excellent post Margaret!

Feb 10, 2024 10:35 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Yes, Anna "Banana" Kruchten,

Knowing and asking the right questions is a skill learned over the years. 

Feb 10, 2024 05:29 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Margaret I agree good questions need to be asked, but just as important answered need to be listened to.

Feb 10, 2024 01:59 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Feb 10, 2024 02:01 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Those are all very important questions to ask, Margaret.  It helps to find the client's dream home faster.

Feb 10, 2024 03:30 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

For sure, Myrl Jeffcoat 

Thanks so much for the feature in OFC!

Feb 10, 2024 05:32 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

CONGRATULATIONS Margaret, on having this blog FEATURED in the Old Farts Club group!  

Feb 10, 2024 03:30 PM
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

Excellent post, Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, filled with great information.

Bottom line: we have two ears and only one mouth for a reason. ASK QUESTIONS! Find out what is important to your client.

Feb 10, 2024 05:56 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

So true, John Juarez,

Asking the right questions gets you closer to what the client needs. 

Feb 10, 2024 06:05 PM
Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho
Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID
North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

Margaret, asking the right questions, and listening to the answer/s, is so critical and a process many of us slip away from if not constantly focused on.  Excellent post.  m

Feb 11, 2024 05:41 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Thank you for stopping by Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho 

Ask those questions, and then listen!

Feb 11, 2024 07:05 AM
Joyce M. Marsh
Luxury Home Couture - Daytona Beach, FL
Joyce Marsh Homes & Design

Years of experience gives you the knowledge to be able to ask the “ right questions. 

Feb 13, 2024 09:54 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Joyce Marsh, Good to see you.

With years of experience comes the ability to ask the right questions.

Feb 13, 2024 10:22 PM