7 Questions a Realtor Should Ask a Buyer

When working with a buyer, a good realtor doesn’t just show houses. They ask smart questions—early and often—to understand the buyer’s priorities, set expectations, and guide them to the right home. Asking these questions helps prevent wasted time, mismatched properties, and disappointed clients. Below are seven essential questions every realtor should ask a buyer, and why each one matters.

1. Have You Seen Properties You Like?

This is more than casual small talk—it reveals how far along the buyer is in their journey, and what kinds of homes appeal to them. Knowing what they’ve already liked (or disliked) tells you:

• What design features or floor plans they prefer.

• What they’re willing to compromise on.

• Whether they have realistic expectations about what exists in their price range.

It also helps you avoid showing them homes that will feel wrong—saving time for both the buyer and the realtor.

2. Are You Working with a Lender or Already Pre-Approved?

Understanding a buyer’s financial status is crucial. If they’re pre-approved for financing, you know what their budget really is, and what kinds of homes they can afford. If not, then:

• You can help connect them with reliable lenders.

• You can guide them to realistic price ranges.

• You set expectations around what’s feasible for price, interest rates, and down payment.

Without clarity here, you might show homes outside what they can afford—or miss homes that would be perfect.

3. Are You Ready to Buy Now—or Is Your Timeline Flexible?

Buying a home is a big decision. How quickly a buyer needs or wants to move matters greatly. Some buyers are ready to go right away; others are browsing with no urgency. By asking about timing, you can:

• Focus on properties that match their urgency.

• Time the negotiation, homework, and inspections appropriately.

• Align search strategy with their schedule (for example, properties that will be ready to move into immediately vs. those still under construction).

This question prevents misunderstandings later about what “ready to move in” really means.

4. Do You Have Any Deal-Breakers or Must-Haves?

Everyone has features they absolutely require—and things they definitely don’t want. Asking this upfront helps you narrow options meaningfully. Examples include:

• Location priorities (schools, transit, parks).

• Home layout preferences (number of bedrooms/bathrooms, open concept vs more defined rooms).

• Special features (garage, yard, single-level living).

• Things they want to avoid (steep stairs, busy roads, outdated systems).

Knowing their deal-breakers early helps you filter out unsuitable properties, saving time and avoiding frustration.

5. What Areas or Neighborhoods Are You Most Interested In?

Neighborhood factors often matter as much as the house itself. By asking this, you find out what is important to them:

• Proximity to work or family.

• Access to amenities (shops, parks, transit).

• Style of neighborhood: quiet vs busy, urban vs suburban.

• Future growth or community development.

It also allows you to share market insight about those areas—pricing trends, inventory, value growth—which helps buyers make more informed decisions.

6. What Is Your Budget (Including Ongoing Costs)?

Budget isn’t just about what someone is willing to spend; it’s about what they can spend—including mortgage, taxes, insurance, maintenance, utilities, and possible renovations. Asking about the budget should include:

• Max price they feel comfortable with.

• Whether they understand ancillary costs.

• What kind of mortgage or financing they are considering.

• Whether they’d need help calculating true “cost of ownership.

This ensures homes you show are affordable not just at purchase, but in ongoing terms.

7. How Can I Best Support You in Your Search?

This question is both practical and relational. Everyone’s process is different. Some buyers want fast email updates; others want fewer options but detailed tours. By asking:

• How often they want communication and by what method.

• Whether they prefer lots of options or targeted showings.

• What level of involvement they want in things like inspections, negotiations.

• How they want decisions presented (data, pictures, side-by-side comparisons, etc.).

This builds trust, aligns expectations, and helps the realtor deliver service that feels personalized.

Why These Questions Matter

• They build clarity. Misunderstandings about price, features, or timeline are often the root of frustration.

• They save time. Fewer showings of inappropriate homes means more time spent on likely candidates.

• They strengthen the buyer-agent relationship. When buyers feel heard, understood, and supported, they move more confidently.

• They minimize surprises. By understanding financial limits, location preferences, must-haves, and deal-breakers, you reduce the chances of “buyer’s remorse” or broken negotiations.

Final Thoughts

These questions may seem simple—but they’re powerful. They transform a home search from guesswork into a structured, efficient, and satisfying process for both buyer and agent. Asking them upfront shows professionalism and ensures alignment on goals, budget, and expectations.

At Jag Sidhu Real Estate Group, I always begin with these questions when working with buyers. They guide the search, help in decision-making, and lead to homes that truly fit—not just in price, but in lifestyle and long-term satisfaction.