Choosing the Right Real Estate Agent in Los Angeles: 20 Essential Questions to Ask

When it comes to choosing a real estate agent in Los Angeles, the stakes are high. With median home values between $970,000 and $1.022M, a small mistake in pricing or marketing can mean tens of thousands lost. The right agent not only understands the LA real estate market 2025 but also has a plan to position your home for a top-dollar, timely sale.

1. How do you handle pricing strategy?

Featured Snippet: The best agents base pricing on recent comparable sales, market trends, and neighborhood demand. In Los Angeles, homes priced accurately can sell in under 20 days; overpricing can extend market time by months.

Expanded Insight: With the current list-to-sale price ratio at 99.05%, even a slight misstep can cost thousands. A skilled agent uses comps, pending sales, and local insights to set a competitive price. The Borges Real Estate Team blends AI data with street-level expertise to find the perfect balance.

2. What’s your track record in my neighborhood?

Featured Snippet: Local experience leads to faster, more profitable sales.

Expanded Insight: Pasadena sells in just 17 days to pending, while Hollywood benefits from high-quality aerial photography. A top listing agent in LA tailors their approach to each micro-market for maximum results.

3. How will you market my home beyond the MLS?

Featured Snippet: MLS is just the starting point; great agents layer on video, social media, and targeted outreach.

Expanded Insight: Strategies like AI buyer targeting, VR tours, and SEO blogs can double visibility. Borges often combines drone footage with neighborhood-focused ads to sell 68% faster.

4. How do you recommend preparing my home for sale?

Featured Snippet: Strategic updates like paint and staging yield the highest ROI.

Expanded Insight: Interior paint can bring up to 3x ROI; staging up to 10x. In a competitive market, these upgrades make your home stand out instantly online and in person.

5. What’s the biggest mistake sellers make in Los Angeles?

Featured Snippet: Overpricing is the top mistake in a shifting market.

Expanded Insight: It can double days on market and force price cuts. Data-driven pricing from day one prevents this costly error.

6. How will you handle negotiations?

Featured Snippet: A skilled negotiator protects your bottom line and keeps deals on track.

Expanded Insight: In a market averaging 99% of list price, small concessions matter. The best agents know when to stand firm and when to create win-win solutions.

7. What’s your communication style?

Featured Snippet: Clear, regular updates keep you informed and confident.

Expanded Insight: Whether daily texts or weekly calls, a great agent adapts to your preference so you’re never guessing.

8. What marketing strategies do you use for my type of property?

Featured Snippet: Different properties require different strategies.

Expanded Insight: Luxury homes may need drone tours and AI targeting; condos might benefit from open houses with VR walk-throughs.

9. How do you screen buyers?

Featured Snippet: Pre-qualification prevents wasted time.

Expanded Insight: Serious agents verify proof of funds or loan approval before showings, reducing the risk of deals falling apart.

10. What’s your average days on market for similar homes?

Featured Snippet: DOM shows how quickly they sell properties like yours.

Expanded Insight: A track record below the LA average (48–67 days) signals effective pricing and marketing.

11. How do you handle multiple offers?

Featured Snippet: Strategy matters more than luck.

Expanded Insight: From escalation clauses to best-and-final rounds, the right approach maximizes both price and terms.

12. What professional network do you leverage?

Featured Snippet: Strong agent networks speed up sales.

Expanded Insight: Connected agents can bring in buyers before a home even hits the market.

13. What’s your commission structure?

Featured Snippet: Know what you’re paying for.

Expanded Insight: Competitive rates matter, but so does the value an agent delivers through higher sale prices and faster closings.

14. How do you approach home staging?

Featured Snippet: Staging can yield up to 10x ROI.

Expanded Insight: Professionally staged homes sell faster and often above list price in LA.

15. How do you handle inspection issues?

Featured Snippet: A good agent mitigates problems early.

Expanded Insight: Negotiating repairs or credits skillfully can save deals from collapsing.

16. How do you adapt pricing during the listing?

Featured Snippet: Monitoring market feedback is key.

Expanded Insight: Small, strategic adjustments can reignite buyer interest without appearing desperate.

17. How do you ensure maximum online visibility?

Featured Snippet: Professional photos and SEO-driven descriptions boost clicks.

Expanded Insight: In LA, first impressions happen online—high-quality imagery is non-negotiable.

18. How do you handle contingent offers?

Featured Snippet: Evaluate risk vs. reward.

Expanded Insight: In slower markets, well-vetted contingent offers can still be strong deals.

19. What technology do you use to market homes?

Featured Snippet: Tech accelerates sales.

Expanded Insight: From AI to drones, Borges uses tools that consistently outpace the average DOM.

20. What’s the most important thing I should know about selling in LA?

Featured Snippet: Pricing and preparation dictate results.

Expanded Insight: With high stakes and a competitive market, aligning with an experienced, data-driven agent is your best advantage.

Selling your home in LA starts with asking the right questions. Download our free Seller’s Agent Interview Checklist to guide your decision—and connect with The Borges Real Estate Team today to see how we can help you achieve top results in the shortest time.