What to Say When Contacting a Real Estate Agent Near You
May, 22 2025
Reaching out to a real estate agent doesn’t have to be awkward. Most people just shoot a quick message like, “Hi, I’m interested in a place I saw online,” but you can be way more effective with a little prep. The more direct and clear you are, the less back and forth you’ll deal with. Trust me, agents actually appreciate it when you come with real info and questions, not just vague curiosity.
First, be honest about what you’re looking for. Are you just window shopping? Or do you want to move ASAP because your apartment neighbor has a drum set (true story, I moved fast)? Spell out your situation: what you want, when you want to move, your budget range, and why you’re getting in touch. Even if it’s something like, “I’m thinking about selling because my dog keeps digging holes in the backyard and I need less lawn,” you’ll get a better response.
- Figuring Out What You Want
- Setting Up That First Conversation
- Questions That Actually Get Useful Answers
- Following Up Without Being Annoying
- Red Flags and Good Signs
Figuring Out What You Want
If you don’t know what you want, talking to a real estate agent gets messy fast. Every agent will ask you pretty much the same basic things, so do yourself a favor and jot down clear answers before you reach out. Here’s what you should pin down:
- Location: Where do you want to live or sell? Are you set on a certain neighborhood, or open to a wider area?
- Type of property: Condo, townhouse, detached house, or just something pet-friendly for your dog Buster (I get it)?
- Budget: Know your max cap, but also your comfort zone. House prices in the U.S. averaged $420,800 in late 2024. Be realistic. No one likes heartbreak tour days.
- Must-haves vs Nice-to-haves: Do you need a garage, yard, elevator? Or would you settle for a big kitchen and a short commute?
- Timeline: Are you hoping for a fast move, or just starting to browse?
If you’re selling, write down what makes your place special. Maybe your home’s closest coffee shop makes killer cinnamon rolls—yes, those details help!
| Home Shopping Trigger | Common Goal |
|---|---|
| Job change | Short commute, new location |
| Growing family | More bedrooms, bigger yard |
| Downsizing | Smaller space, less maintenance |
| Pet needs | Fenced yard, parks nearby |
Aim for details—agents need them to help. If you just say “I want something nice,” you’ll waste time. Get specific, keep it real, and watch how much smoother your first chat is with a real estate agent.
Setting Up That First Conversation
This first chat with a real estate agent sets the tone for everything that follows. Skip the stiff introductions. Agents want to help, but they need details to actually do it. When you reach out, whether it’s by email, text, call, or even a social media DM, you’ll get the best results by being upfront about your needs. Here’s how to nail it without feeling awkward or pushy.
- Start by saying how you found them ("Hey, I saw your listings for Maple Street on Zillow!").
- Share why you’re reaching out (buying, selling, just looking, or ready to move fast).
- Give a quick overview of your timeline ("Looking to buy in the next 3 months").
- Mention your budget range. No agent will laugh at your price point—they need boundaries to help you.
- Include your must-haves or dealbreakers ("absolutely need a fenced yard for my dog").
Agents love when you make it easy to help. A typical first message could look like this:
"Hi Jamie, I’m interested in buying a home around Elmwood. My budget is up to $350,000 and I’d like a place with at least 3 bedrooms. Planning to move within 2-4 months. Can you let me know what’s available and what the next steps are for buyers right now?"
Simple. Polite. All the basics they need. But don’t stress about perfect wording—agents have heard it all. The worst messages are just, “I’m looking, call me.” That leaves too much guesswork.
Data backs this up. According to the National Association of Realtors, 51% of buyers found it easier to connect when they gave clear info early on. Here’s what new buyers usually mention:
| Detail Shared | % of Buyers Who Mentioned |
|---|---|
| Budget or price range | 78% |
| Preferred timeline | 65% |
| Must-have features | 50% |
| Neighborhood preference | 43% |
Real estate pro Mary Castillo puts it well:
"The more specific a client is in that first chat, the faster I can actually get them what they want."
Remember, nobody expects you to know everything. If you feel uncertain, say so. Agents can explain the next steps and fill in what you don’t know. Just being honest gets you further than pretending to be an expert.
Questions That Actually Get Useful Answers
When you reach out to a real estate agent, asking the right questions can save you a good chunk of time—and future headaches. Forget the usual small talk. If you dig just a little deeper, you’ll get info that actually helps you make decisions, whether you’re buying, selling, or just exploring options.
Here are some game-changing questions you can toss out in your first conversation:
- How long do homes typically stay on the market in this area?
- What’s the current average sale price for similar properties?
- How do you usually handle negotiations or bidding wars?
- Do you have experience with buyers (or sellers) in my situation?
- What’s your fee structure—and are there any extra charges I should expect?
If you’re looking to buy, ask if the neighborhood has any upcoming changes, like new schools or shopping centers. Sellers—don’t shy away from asking how the agent plans to market your place. Data matters. According to the National Association of Realtors, nearly 90% of buyers use online listings as their primary tool. So, you probably want your agent to have a solid online strategy, right?
"Clients who ask direct, specific questions tend to get better service, because it shows they’re serious and ready to act," says Jane Welch, a licensed agent with over 15 years in the business.
Here’s a snapshot of key stats that help make sense of your options:
| Aspect | Typical Data (2024) |
|---|---|
| Average Days on Market (U.S.) | 48 days |
| Average Sale-Price-to-List-Price Ratio | 98.3% |
| Agent Commission (Buyer/Seller) | 5-6% of sale price |
| Homes Bought Online | 89% |
When you know which questions to ask, you get straight answers. Don’t worry about sounding demanding—good agents are used to people wanting clarity. If you get vague replies or someone dodges your questions, that’s a sign they might not be the right fit for you. Always keep digging until you’re comfortable and you’ve got the details you need.
Following Up Without Being Annoying
It’s easy to worry about bothering a real estate agent, but a little follow-up is totally normal—and often expected. In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors’ 2024 survey, agents ranked “quick, friendly follow-up” as one of the top things they want from clients. But where’s the line between proactive and pushy?
Start by giving the agent a reasonable window. For example, if you emailed on Monday, wait until at least Wednesday afternoon before nudging again. Most agents juggle a lot of clients along with property showings, paperwork, and the occasional panicked seller.
- If you follow up, keep it short and to the point. Something like, “Hey Taylor, just checking in to see if there’s any update on the listings we talked about. Let me know if you need more info from me.”
- Don’t leave multiple voicemails or send messages across different platforms at once. Pick one method—email, call, or text—and stick to it unless the agent has given you the green light for more.
- After three tries without a response over a week, take the hint. Either the agent is swamped or not interested. No shame in moving on to someone who’s a better fit.
Peppering your follow-ups with extra details (like changes in budget, or must-have features) can make you look prepared instead of annoying. And if an agent gives you a clear timeline (“I’ll send you new listings by Friday”), wait it out unless it’s a true emergency.
| Contact Method | Best Response Time |
|---|---|
| 24-48 hours | |
| Phone Call | Same day if possible, up to 24 hours |
| Text | Within 12-24 hours |
Remember, real estate is a people business. Agents would rather hear from a friendly, clear client than have you ghost them or turn every follow-up into a mini-novel. Just keep it brief and clear and you’ll be fine.
Red Flags and Good Signs
You’ve written that email or made the first call—now watch how the real estate agent responds. The way an agent acts in those first interactions often tells you everything you need to know. It’s not just about finding anyone with a license. You want to work with someone who gets you, respects your time, and really knows their stuff.
Watch out for these red flags:
- Slow replies or ghosting: If days go by before you get a response, that’s just bad business. Good agents usually respond within a day.
- Dodgy about details: If you ask a question about a property or the process and they only give half answers, they might not know—or care.
- Pushing you into decisions: If they rush you to sign something or make an offer before you’re sure, pump the brakes. That’s a classic sign they’re putting their commission over your needs.
- Unlicensed or no reviews: Always check that your agent is licensed in your state and has legit recent reviews online. No license or dodgy reviews? Walk away.
Now, a good agent will do a few things really well:
- Ask thoughtful questions: They’ll dig into what you actually need instead of assuming.
- Honest about the market: If they tell you it’s tough to find a three-bedroom for your budget, that’s someone worth listening to—not just a “yes” person.
- Clear steps and info: They break the process down and don’t hide fees or steps.
- Local know-how: They should know which neighborhoods are dog-friendly or where the new schools are being built. Extra points for details nobody else shares.
Check out this quick stats table about what people value most in real estate agent relationships, based on a 2024 NAR (National Association of Realtors) survey:
| What Clients Want | % of Buyers/Sellers |
|---|---|
| Fast and Clear Communication | 93% |
| Local Market Knowledge | 86% |
| Honesty and Transparency | 91% |
| Not Pushy | 78% |
One last thing—trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is. There are thousands of agents out there; don’t settle for someone who makes you feel like just another number.