Before Hiring an Agent, Ask These 3 Questions First

By Julie Gualandri

Julie arrived in Austin in 2008 and soon discovered a city that blended opportunity, vibrancy, and a sense of home. By 2010, she had found her true calling in real estate—a profession that allows her to pair market expertise with a deep commitment to service.

Are you thinking of buying or selling a home? I often see people make the same mistake, and it happens long before anyone writes an offer. I’d like to save you from that, because choosing the right agent matters a lot.

Most people pick a Realtor for one of three reasons: a friend referred them, they liked someone’s personality, or they went with the agent whose advertising is everywhere. None of those are bad. Referrals matter, personality matters, and experience matters. But none of them tell you what it’s actually like to work with that person.

Real estate isn’t a personality contest. It’s a problem-solving profession, and the best agent is the one with a thoughtful process for helping you make good decisions when things don’t go according to plan. You can find that person before you commit. You just have to ask the right questions.

Here are the three moves I’d start with.

1. Ask how they communicate. Not just whether they’ll answer the phone, but how often they’ll actually update you. Will you know what’s happening before you have to ask? Will they tell you what’s coming next before it happens? Good communication isn’t only about being available. It’s about eliminating the uncertainty, so you’re never left wondering where things stand.

2. Ask them to walk you through their process. A great agent can tell you exactly what happens after you decide to work together, how they prepare your home, how they set the price, how they negotiate, what happens once you’re under contract, and what to expect the week before closing. A clear process creates confidence. If the explanation feels vague, the experience will often feel the same.

3. Ask what happens when something goes wrong. This might be the most important one, because something almost always does. An inspection uncovers an issue. The appraisal comes in low. The lender needs one more document. The moving truck runs late. Real estate isn’t about preventing every problem. It’s about anticipating them, communicating clearly, and helping you get through them without unnecessary stress. That’s where experience really shows.

I’ve learned over the years that clients rarely remember every form they signed or every deadline they met. What they remember is how they felt. Did they feel informed? Did they feel prepared? Did they feel like someone was always looking around corners for them? To me, that’s the real measure of great representation.

My goal isn’t to convince you to buy or sell. It’s to help you make the right decision for you and your family.

If you’re thinking about a move anywhere in the Austin area and just want to talk through your situation, I’d be happy to help, even if you’re months away from deciding. Those early conversations are often the most valuable. Call or text me at 512-568-1222, email me at julie@julieghomes.com, or visit julieghomesgroup.com.