Special offer
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets, CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego (Big Block Realty 858.232.8722)

Spam prevention
Rainmaker
613,494
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

I have 2...

1.  What have you looked at and/or made offers on? 

(I want to know what the list price was, what their offer was, why they have not bought yet or why they have not made any offers)

2. What do you consider a good deal?  (This is my favorite question, because too many buyers have unrealistic expectations, and now is the time to have a reality chat...not later, when they make a low offer and think it is your fault when it is not accepted)

I also want to know about the last house they bought or what they live in now. Actually, I want to know everything about them, so I ask a lot of questions.

Eve 

Jun 10, 2018 07:51 AM
Ambassador
5,049,183
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

There are all sorts of questions I ask, but I want to know not only what they are looking for, but specifically what they need (which are often different)! And what their lifestyle is like. And of course are they pre-approved and for how much, and how much cash do they have.

Jun 10, 2018 08:52 AM
Rainmaker
716,049
Richard Bazinet /MBA, CRS, ABR
West USA Realty - Scottsdale, AZ
Phoenix Scottsdale. Sellers, Buyers & Relocations

I'm not sure I have a 'best' opening/open ended question, because I go by instinct/experience, but I always get clients to tell me about themselves first (the 5Ws), where from, what do you seek to do, plans, money, jobs, where do you want to be.... this sort of interview questions... I want to get a fix on who they are and I find a way for them to tell me basically why they are in my office and why we are meeting....

Jun 10, 2018 08:00 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Buyers seem to naturally just open up to me and tell me more than I need to know. I am told I am easy to talk to.  Conversations flow easily.  I get what I need to know. 
The process always starts when a buyer gets pre-approved for their loan, ideally underwriter approval, and they provide me with proof of funds.  

Jun 10, 2018 09:51 AM
Rainmaker
544,014
Dave Halpern
Dave Halpern Real Estate Agent, Inc., Louisville, KY (502) 664-7827 - Louisville, KY
Louisville Short Sale Expert

What are you looking for in a home?

Jun 10, 2018 09:18 AM
Ambassador
3,383,334
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Asking a buyer how long they plan to be in the house they buy can lead them down the path of telling you about their job and personal life.  

Jun 10, 2018 09:06 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

For me, it's more of a connection I feel versus a particular question...it's nice when it happens but/and better to discover any issues sooner than later.

Jun 10, 2018 08:49 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I just start talking to people and asking questions... I've been doing it so long I do it unconsciously, but always get the answers I want/need. What do I need to know? Have they been preapproved? Have they worked with another agent? Do they need to sell a home first? What kind of area or commute do they want? What schools are important? There's no end to questions.

Jun 10, 2018 08:08 AM
Rainmaker
763,883
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

"If we find you the perfect home today, are you prepared to make an offer?"

Jun 10, 2018 05:29 PM
Ambassador
5,230,068
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

The two that will give you just about everything you need to hear answered (as they lead to further conversation, which is what I think you're looking for):

1. Tell me about your lifestyle - what do you (and your family if it applies) do on a daily/weekly basis?

2. Tell me about your current home & neighborhood. (If they are first time homebuyers, it's tell me where you see yourself living - community & home). 

Both of those questions will keep the conversation going for as long as you need to get all of your answers! As well, your new clients' affordability will often dictate very specific communities - at least in our area it does. 

Those below median price point are getting tougher and tougher in our low inventory market!

Jun 10, 2018 10:15 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,398
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Where do you currently live? What about the place is prompting you to look for a new place? What are your needs? Anything else?

Jun 10, 2018 09:32 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Thomas,

First thing we would do is establish whether we are a match, and if they have a sense of humor.  After that it flows.  A

Jun 10, 2018 09:27 AM
Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

I want to know where they currently live, and what the home is like, whether they like it or don't like it and why (and I might stalk their current home online if not local).
I want them to describe to me every possible thing that they would want if they could get everything that they wanted.
This will tell me their taste and their expectations and let me get inside their gray matter.
That will also tell me if their eyes are bigger than their pocketbook.
Many many of our home buyers are from Southern California. If I know what area they're from, I'll have a fairly good grasp of what they are used to.

Jun 10, 2018 08:00 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

My top 3 

Why do you want to buy

When do you want to buy

Where do you want to buy

Jun 11, 2018 11:49 AM
Ambassador
6,393,404
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Describe your dream home to me.

Jun 11, 2018 08:46 AM
Rainer
155,337
Anthony Kirlew
Group 46:10 Network @ eXp Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Helping You Make Fiscally Sound Real Estate Deals!

What are you looking for in your next home that you don't have in your current home?

Jun 11, 2018 07:58 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Tell me about your dream home?

Jun 11, 2018 07:38 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

"What's important to you about moving to the Tampa Bay area?"

Identify the 'transformation' then find the right place where it can occur.

 

Jun 11, 2018 05:55 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Parked and reading...

Jun 11, 2018 04:47 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor, ePRO, CRS, RCS-D - that 'Magic Wand' question from Brian Buffini...

Jun 10, 2018 10:20 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I ask them what their fear is.

Jun 10, 2018 09:09 PM
Ambassador
2,684,009
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

  Hi, John and Mary.  You say you want to buy a house... tell me more about what you have in mind.

 

  What do I want to know? 

    I want to know that they are ready, willing, and able (especially "able", as in show me the money).   I want to know what they have already seen, whether touring houses, or surfing Zillow.  Have you met with any other Brokers?

Jun 10, 2018 01:25 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

What type of house are you looking for?

What do you need from me to make this successful?

Jun 10, 2018 12:40 PM
Rainmaker
1,390,113
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

What's your goal?

Jun 10, 2018 11:51 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,134
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Ask for the name and phone number of their mortgage loan officer.

Jun 10, 2018 11:18 AM
Rainmaker
508,318
Joseph Domino 480-390-6011
HomeSmart - Scottsdale, AZ
Real Estate Made Easy

My first question is usually "Tell me a little about yourself?"

But when you ask this question, you had better shut your mouth and give them time to talk. Then listen.

Jun 10, 2018 10:47 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

My question would be, what do you know about the home buying experience? This would tell me just how long they have been looking, have they talked to a lender and if there is a parent advising them.

Jul 06, 2018 08:15 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,544
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I have a long list of questions to ask.

Jun 13, 2018 07:18 PM
Rainmaker
4,936,677
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

I tell them I will show them 6 homes and after the second home I will have them rate them 1 to 10 and why something was a 6 and what would it take to make it a 8

 

Jun 13, 2018 04:40 PM
Rainmaker
1,311,397
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

Please...Tell me what it is that you are looking for.

Jun 11, 2018 10:55 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I do not have  a script.

Jun 10, 2018 01:05 PM