Hiring a realtor can be one of the best decisions you make when it comes to purchasing a home. At the same time, with so many realtors available for hire, how can you know which is best for your needs? While you can expect a realtor to be asking you a lot of questions during your first consultation, it's also important that you take some time to ask a few important questions back. This way, you can ultimately decide on the right realtor to assist you.

How Does Your Commission Work?

If you'll be buying a home without selling one in the process, you can ignore this question, as sellers are generally the parties responsible for paying commission! On the other hand, if you'll be selling a property at the same time you're buying, then knowing how much your realtor will charge you in commission is a must. Most realtors charge a flat percentage of the final sale price of a home, though percentages can range greatly from about 4% to 7% or more!

How Accessible Will You Be?

When you have questions or concerns about the process of buying your next home, it's imperative that you be able to get in touch with your realtor easily. The last thing you want is to have to track your realtor down for a response. During your consultation, then, be sure to inquire about the realtor's accessibility and about how long you should expect to wait before receiving a response to an email, phone call, or text.

How Familiar Are You With My Target Neighborhood?

If you have a specific neighborhood in mind in which you'd like to buy your next home, then you'll want to make sure the realtor has specific experience in buying and/or selling homes in this area. Don't hesitate to "quiz" your realtor or ask him or her how many homes he or she has bought or sold there.

Will You Be at My Closing?

Finally, make sure your actual realtor plans to attend your closing date rather than sending an "assistant" in his or her place. Ideally, you'll want your realtor there to look over any documentation and take care of any last-minute hiccups that can (and often do) arise on closing day.

By asking these important questions of a realtor during your first consultation, you can make a better informed decision regarding whether or not his or her services are right for you. Talk to a business like 24 Hour Realty San Diego for more help.