Five Questions to Ask a Portland Buyers’ Agent

Are you in the market to buy a home or property in the Portland, Oregon metro area? Before you start making the list of homes you want to check out, make sure you check out the real estate agent who will be helping you make this life-altering decision.
A buyers’ agent acts on your behalf through the entire home sale process, from the initial search to the handing over of your new keys. I’ve compiled five questions you should ask your Portland real estate agent before you start working with them. Let your expectations be known!

1. What kind of experience does the Portland real estate agent have? How long have they been licensed, and how many sales have they closed on the buyer side and listing side? Are they a member of their local REALTOR association (PMAR, Portland Metro Association of Realtors)? Depending on what area of Portland or the metro area you are looking at, be sure to ask whether your potential buyers’ agent has experience working in that locality or neighborhood.

2. What kind of online services does this real estate agent offer? Portland home buyers need not be limited to Zillow and Trulia to do their home buying research. I offer my clients the best Portland real estate map search tool available anywhere online, which includes neighborhood, crime and school data. I also provide free subscriptions to the digital RMLS market action report, and break it down every other month on this blog.

3. Ask your potential real estate agent how they plan on communicating with you, and how quickly they typically respond to questions. Get on the same page about what works best – whether it’s phone, email, texting, chat, or some other form of communication. Real estate transactions happen quickly. If the real estate agent says “Only call me at my office between 9 and 5”, you might want to move along because there are plenty of us who stay in touch pretty much all of the time! Mostly importantly, ask the buyer’s agent if they have a backup co-worker (or a full blown team) who can help you get into that property asap. Lots of homes in Portland sell fast and you often need a backup agent to open the doors for you.

4. What kind of commission does the real estate agent expect as a buyer’s agent? Some buyers agents charge you in addition to what the seller offers. (Typically the seller pays the commission for the listing agent and the buyer’s agent.)

5. What does this real estate agent love most about Portland? It’s not critical that your real estate agent be passionate about this city, but it certainly helps. They are your portal to your new neighborhood and your insider’s edge to finding the perfect home before someone else does. Your real estate agent should be someone you don’t mind spending some time with, and feel comfortable asking tough questions of. You’re putting all of your energy into making this move – shouldn’t your real estate agent be right there with you?

I’d be happy to answer these questions for you – and more. Contact me at your convenience.
Check out the rest of my Portland buyers’ agent services here.