What should I ask before hiring a buyer's agent?
Ask how many buyers they closed in your target area and price band in the last year, how they price a property, whether they will ever represent both sides, and what the shortest term they will accept is.
Specific questions get specific answers:
How many purchases did you close in the last twelve months, and how many were in this area and price range? Volume in the wrong segment is not experience in yours.
Walk me through how you decide what a property is worth. You are listening for sold comparables, adjustments and days on market, not for enthusiasm.
Will you tell me not to buy something? An agent who has never talked a client out of a house is not advising, they are transacting.
Do you ever represent both buyer and seller on the same property? Multiple representation strips your advocacy in the one negotiation where you need it.
What is the shortest term you will sign? A refusal to shorten a six month exclusive is itself the answer.
Next questions
What am I signing in a buyer representation agreement?
An exclusive contract making that agent your representative for a set term and geographic area, with a holdover period afterwards during which you may still owe commission on properties they showed you.
Ontario
Who pays my real estate agent?
Normally the seller, out of the commission set in their listing agreement, which is then shared with your agent. If a listing offers less than your representation agreement specifies, you can be responsible for the difference.
Ontario