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For real estate agents, there’s a common challenge that often pops up when working with potential home buyers. You’ve spent days, even weeks, guiding clients through countless home showings. Hours of research, travel, and preparation, only to find they didn’t end up purchasing.
And then there are those times when clients suddenly go silent, not returning calls or messages. The heart of this issue? Often, it’s not truly ‘getting’ what the buyer is searching for.
Imagine two potential buyers: one dreams of a lively city spot right by trendy cafes, and another is hunting for that peaceful suburban corner for their kids. If you don’t truly understand their needs, you might end up showing the city lover a quiet suburban home, and vice versa. It’s like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole—ineffective and frustrating for everyone involved.
Truly understanding a buyer isn’t just about making the sale. It’s about building trust, ensuring they come back, and most importantly, making them feel truly heard. Buying a home is a big life moment. For agents, the goal should be to transform from just being a seller to becoming a partner in that journey. And it all starts with a simple chat and truly hearing what the other person has to say.
As part of the requirement to stay in good standing with the Licensing Commission, you must complete the required Continuing Education. The Colibri is an online school that I like and received excellent feedback from its students. You may check out their CE courses here. (**)
To help you really get what your home buyers are looking for, here are 50 questions to kickstart those meaningful conversations.
- Why have you decided to buy a home now?
- Have you ever purchased a property before?
- What are your long-term goals with this purchase?
- What is your preferred location or neighborhood?
- What kind of property are you looking for: single-family, condo, townhouse, etc.?
- How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need?
- Are schools important to you? If so, are there particular ones you’re considering?
- What’s your budget range?
- How important is the proximity to work or public transportation?
- What architectural styles do you prefer?
- Do you want a move-in ready home, or are you open to a fixer-upper?
- How do you feel about homeowners’ associations and their fees?
- Are there specific amenities you’re looking for, like a pool or home gym?
- How important is outdoor space to you?
- Do you have any specific needs for the garage or parking?
- What is your ideal timeline for moving?
- Do you have any concerns about the current real estate market?
- How do you prioritize: location, size, amenities, or price?
- Do you plan to work with a home inspector?
- Are you pre-approved for a mortgage? If not, would you like recommendations?
- How do you feel about properties that have been on the market for a long time?
- What is your preferred method of communication?
- Are energy-efficient features important to you?
- Would you be open to homes in areas prone to natural risks like floods or earthquakes?
- How important are local services and amenities like hospitals, shopping centers, or parks?
- Do you have any pets, and do you have requirements related to them?
- How important is storage space to you?
- Are you open to homes that have been rented or are currently rented?
- What are your thoughts on open floor plans versus more traditional layouts?
- Are there any features you absolutely don’t want in a home?
- How do you feel about older homes versus newer constructions?
- Do you want a home with a particular view, like the water or mountains?
- Are you open to properties that are in short sales or are foreclosures?
- Do you have any color or design preferences?
- How do you feel about living on a busy street or in a cul-de-sac?
- How important are walkability and bikeability in your desired neighborhood?
- Do you have any health or mobility issues that might affect your choice in a home?
- How do you feel about maintaining a yard or garden?
- What are your priorities in terms of safety and security?
- Would you be interested in homes that offer potential rental income, like a basement suite?
- How important is the resale value of the home to you?
- Are there certain appliances or features you consider a must-have, like a fireplace or central air?
- Do you want to be close to certain places, like gyms, schools, or restaurants?
- How do you feel about paying property taxes or assessments?
- Do you have preferences when it comes to kitchen layouts or features?
- Would you prefer a home with a lot of natural light?
- How do you feel about homes in flight paths or near train tracks?
- Are there any deal-breakers we haven’t discussed?
- How important is community or neighborhood involvement to you?
- Is there anything else you’d like me to know as we begin this journey together?
Check out: [50 Essential Questions Every Real Estate Agent Must Ask Home Sellers]
(**) Affiliate Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you. Our company, JCHQ Publishing will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking on the link. Please understand that we include them based on our experience or the research on these companies or products, and we recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something through the links. Please do not spend any money on these products unless you feel you need them or that they will help you achieve your goals.
Disclaimer: The information in this post is for general information only, and not intend to provide any advice. They are subjected to change without any notice, and not guaranteed to be error-free. Some of the posts on this site may contain views and opinions from individual not related to JCHQ Publishing. They do not necessarily reflect our view or position.
