What should East Bay and San Francisco sellers ask before hiring a Realtor? Ask who represents you, what work is included, who performs it, what it costs and what the agreement requires. You should be able to understand the relationship without knowing how to do the agent's job.
This is educational information, not legal advice. Agency duties, compensation and cancellation rights depend on the applicable law and written agreement.
1. How can I verify your license and broker affiliation?
The California Department of Real Estate recommends checking an agent's current license, broker affiliation and relevant background. A salesperson works under a broker; a professional designation does not replace the required license.
2. What relevant experience do you have?
Experience can concern a location, property type or transaction circumstance. A Berkeley bungalow, Oakland condominium and San Francisco tenancy-in-common interest can involve different ownership and local requirements. References and a clear explanation of relevant experience are reasonable subjects to discuss.
3. Does your service include a property-specific pricing recommendation?
A pricing recommendation is professional advice about the property's asking price. It is different from an automated estimate or a guaranteed sale price. The recommendation and the reasoning for your particular property belong in the individual consultation.
4. What does your property-condition role include?
Seller disclosures, a licensee's responsibilities and specialist inspections are distinct. An agent's involvement does not turn the agent into an engineer, environmental professional or building-code authority. Clarify who is responsible for each professional service.
5. Are preparation services included or separate?
Repairs, renovations, staging and photography describe different services. The agreement should make clear which work is included, who authorizes spending and whether outside providers charge separately. The property-specific preparation recommendation is a separate discussion.
6. Which public agencies may have requirements for this property?
Depending on the address and transfer, relevant programs may include EBMUD's private sewer lateral program, Berkeley's BESO time-of-sale requirements, or San Francisco's 3R building-record report.
An agent can help identify the appropriate contacts. The administering agency provides the authoritative program determination.
7. What is included in the written service scope?
Scope of services means the work the brokerage agrees to provide. It can distinguish the agent's responsibilities from those of a transaction coordinator, photographer, staging provider or other professional.
8. What marketing services and expenses are included?
An MLS entry, photography, advertising and other marketing services are different deliverables. Ask which are included, which involve separate fees and what requires your approval. A service commitment is not a promise that a particular buyer response will occur.
9. Who is my contact, and how will we communicate?
Some agents work individually; others use a team. You should know who handles communication and who has responsibility for the brokerage work. Update frequency, contact methods and availability are reasonable expectations to clarify.
10. What are the access and security arrangements?
Showing access concerns permission to enter the property. Open houses, occupied rooms, pets, keys and personal belongings can raise different access questions. Clarify the arrangements and responsibilities for your home; do not assume that every provider uses the same practices.
11. How are changes to our agreement or service scope handled?
Some changes may require your approval or a written amendment. Ask how you will be informed and how additional costs are authorized. Any property-specific changes in price, presentation or timing belong in private advice, not a generic trigger rule.
12. Can you explain fees, agency, confidentiality and cancellation plainly?
Compensation is payment for the agreed brokerage services. It is negotiable; the DRE warns consumers about claims that there is a “standard” commission.
Agency concerns whom the agent or brokerage represents. If the brokerage may represent both sides, the applicable disclosure, consent and confidentiality duties need explanation. Cancellation terms describe how the agreement can end and what obligations may continue.
You should understand the term of the agreement, separate expenses and material promises before signing. Have a specific selling situation you're weighing? I'm happy to discuss it privately, without pressure or obligation.
Professional boundary
This article explains service and relationship terms, not a negotiation, pricing or offer-comparison method. Read the agreement itself and confirm legal questions with a qualified California real estate attorney or other appropriate professional.