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?

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.

With the current list-to-sale price ratio at 99.05%, a pricing error of even 1% on a $1M home means a $10,000 loss. Accurate pricing comes from studying active, pending, and sold comps, factoring in DOM, and anticipating buyer psychology. Homes in remodeled condition priced right often move under 20 days; luxury properties may take 191–206 days. The Borges Real Estate Team uses AI-backed pricing models combined with street-level knowledge to position homes to attract maximum offers while avoiding price drops.

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

Local experience leads to faster, more profitable sales.

Every LA neighborhood behaves like its own market. Pasadena homes often go pending in 17 days, while Hollywood has more variability (38–74 days). Knowing neighborhood-specific buyer profiles, seasonal demand, and over-list sale frequency helps your agent time and tailor the marketing.

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

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

In 2025, buyers expect immersive content. Beyond MLS, top agents deploy aerial drone footage, lifestyle videos, influencer collaborations, AI-driven buyer targeting, and SEO-optimized blogs. The Borges team often doubles exposure using neighborhood-focused ad targeting and virtual tours to attract out-of-area buyers.

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

Strategic updates like paint and staging yield the highest ROI.

Interior paint averages 95–100% ROI (up to 3x for fresh neutrals), while staging sells homes 68% faster with a 4–10x ROI. Other high-return updates include landscaping (up to 3x ROI) and modern light fixtures (70–95%). These are cost-effective ways to add perceived value instantly.

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

Overpricing is the top mistake in a shifting market.

Overpricing in a cooling market prolongs DOM, reduces urgency, and often forces price reductionsUntitled document (7). Inventory is rising, and buyers are choosier; data-driven pricing from day one is critical.

6. How will you handle negotiations?

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

In a market averaging 99% of list price, each concession counts. Agents must know how to manage appraisal gaps, inspection credits, and multiple-offer situations while keeping your net proceeds intact.

7. What’s your communication style?

Clear, regular updates keep you informed and confident.

Selling a home can involve dozens of moving parts. The right agent aligns with your preferred communication cadence—whether daily texts or weekly calls—so you’re never left guessing about next steps.

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

Different properties require different strategies.

A Hollywood Hills luxury home benefits from drone aerials and influencer partnerships, while a family home in Glendale may need school district-focused targeting. Tailored marketing beats one-size-fits-all every time.

9. How do you screen buyers?

Pre-qualification prevents wasted time.

Verifying proof of funds or loan pre-approval before showings saves time and reduces fallout risk. This is especially key in a market where DOM is rising and sellers want certainty.

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

DOM shows how quickly they sell properties like yours.

The LA average ranges from 48–67 daysUntitled document (7), but a strong agent often beats that. In hot Pasadena submarkets, 17 days to pending is common; in Hollywood, competitive homes may sell in 38 days.

11. How do you handle multiple offers?

Strategy matters more than luck.

From timed offer deadlines to escalation clauses, your agent’s strategy can add thousands to your sale price.

12. What professional network do you leverage?

Strong agent networks speed up sales.

Well-connected agents may find buyers before your home hits the public market, shortening DOM and improving terms.

13. What’s your commission structure?

Know what you’re paying for.

Competitive rates are important, but so is the ROI. A skilled negotiator can more than offset commission costs with a higher sale price.

14. How do you approach home staging?

Staging can yield up to 10x ROI.

Staged homes sell faster and for more money. Virtual staging may be an option for budget-conscious sellers, while luxury listings benefit from full-service staging.

15. How do you handle inspection issues?

A good agent mitigates problems early.

Addressing issues upfront and negotiating repairs or credits can prevent deals from falling apart during escrow.

16. How do you adapt pricing during the listing?

Monitoring market feedback is key.

Adjusting price in response to showing activity and feedback can re-engage buyers without signaling desperation.

17. How do you ensure maximum online visibility?

Professional photos and SEO-driven descriptions boost clicks.

In a digital-first market, high-quality imagery, 3D tours, and keyword-rich listing descriptions are non-negotiable.

18. How do you handle contingent offers?

Evaluate risk vs. reward.

Some contingencies are worth accepting if the buyer is well-qualified and the timeline works with your goals.

19. What technology do you use to market homes?

Tech accelerates sales.

Tools like AI pricing models, drone photography, and AR toursUntitled document (7) can significantly shorten DOM. Borges’ use of predictive analytics identifies likely buyers before they even start house-hunting.

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

Pricing and preparation dictate results.

With rising inventory and shifting interest rates, success depends on accurate pricing, strategic preparation, and choosing an agent who understands your local market inside and out.

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.