Bring These Questions to Every Buyer Interview

The first thing you want to do when you start working with a new client is to get to know them by asking the right questions. I’ve developed these interview questions so that you can use them as a starting point when meeting with a new buyer. These questions should help guide your conversation so that you can successfully pinpoint your client's wants and needs. You can also email these questions to your client to fill out if they are not available to meet in person. Although, I would recommend proposing a Zoom call if they can’t meet in person. Being present allows you to ask clarifying questions in real time. It also strengthens your relationship with your client.

Buyer Interview Questions:

Timeline:

Would you like to find a home as soon as possible?
Are there any specific deadlines we are working around?
Do you have a lease ending at a specific date?
Do you have a flexible timeline?

Area:

Research all the areas your client could possibly be open to. For this example, I pinpointed locations in Ohio that my client had previously mentioned and then I added surrounding neighborhoods to see if they would be interested in those options as well. Do the same for your client’s specific location.

Cincinnati, Ohio location options:

Mt. Lookout?
Hyde Park?
Columbia Tusculum?
Oakley?
Norwood?
Madisonville?
Mt. Adams?

Home Type:

Are you looking for a residential single-family home?
Are you looking for a condo?
Are you looking for a townhouse?
Are you looking for a duplex?

Price Range:

Ideal price and max purchase price amount?
Percentage of purchase price being used as a down payment?
Ideal monthly payment range?
Is the monthly payment amount a high priority?
What is the maximum HOA amount you are comfortable paying? (Only include if they are looking for a condo.)
What are you looking for in an HOA (pool, snow removal, parking, etc.)

House Interior Preferences:

Ideal number of bedrooms?
Ideal number of bathrooms?
Ideal square footage?
Yard requirements?
Do you have a pet with any specific needs?

Garage and Parking Ideal Requirements:

Is a garage required?
Is a driveway required?
Are you comfortable with off-street parking?

Other Specific Preferences:

What’s the ideal interior look like?
Does everything need to be updated?
Are you handy or comfortable with renovations?
Character vs. modern?
Prefer a master bathroom?
Prefer finished basement?
Any ideal preferences for the kitchen?
Preference on flooring, carpet, hardwood, or vinyl?
Preferred layout: open layout, or traditional layout (more closed off spaces)?

Preferred Methods of Communication:

Email?
Text?
Phone call?
Is there more than one person that I should be contacting every time I need to communicate throughout this transaction?
Times available for weekly showings? Weekday nights? Weekends?
Any regular schedules I should know about?

Other:

Any other preferences you both want me to know?
Any general questions you might have?

Remember that listening is key to identifying what your buyer really needs to accomplish their goals. Feel free to copy and paste this blog to a work document and create spacing under each question. This way you can write down notes as you go through this question checklist. Good luck and check back to the Career Corner for more tips on being a great real estate agent.

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