25 Questions to Ask Before Choosing an Agent

Verifiable recent volume: how many Eastside transactions in the last 12 months, and in which neighborhoods at street level. Depth shows up in specifics, not in "I know the area well."

Because the agent structures the offer and reserves around how your income and financing actually work. An agent who doesn't understand jumbo timelines or RSU documentation will write offers that stall in underwriting.

Ask how they evaluate condition and drainage before you fall for a house, and how they protect your inspection when pre-inspection or waiver is the norm. This knowledge saves the most money on older Eastside stock.

Ask for list-to-sale ratio and days on market on their recent files, plus three callable references who bought or sold like you. Numbers and references beat a pitch.

Ask who runs your escrow, who you call, and how fast they respond. Some names sell and then hand you off, so know who's actually representing you before you sign.

Vagueness on recent volume, jumbo/RSU handling, older-home diligence, or references. A specific expert answers specifically; a generalist deflects.

A good agent will tell you. Use these questions in a no-pressure Real Estate Review — including the ones that might disqualify me.