Questions to Ask a Real Estate Team Before You Hire One
The questions to ask a real estate team are a little different from the ones you would ask a solo agent. You are hiring two people and a system, not just one person. The short answer: ask who you will work with day-to-day and who covers when that person is busy. Then ask how the team gets paid under California's buyer agreement rules, and how much recent local experience it has. Everything below helps you get clear answers to those four things before you sign anything.
We are David Sanchez and Kimberly Smith, the Living CA Realty Team. These are the same questions we would want answered if we were in your shoes. Some of them are about us as a team. Most of them are about protecting you.
Why the Questions Change When You Hire a Real Estate Team
With a solo agent, everything runs through one calendar and one phone. With a team, the work is shared. That can be a big advantage, but only if you know how the sharing works.
A good team gives you more coverage, faster showings, and a second set of eyes on your contract. A disorganized team can leave you passed between people who do not know your file. Your questions should tell you which one you are talking to.
Questions to Ask a Real Estate Team About How They Work
Who will I actually work with day-to-day?
Ask this first. Some teams have a lead agent who meets you once and then hands you to someone else. You want to know who will tour homes with you, who writes your offer, and who answers when you call during escrow.
On our team, both of us are licensed agents, and either of us can step in. Ask us how we would split your transaction, and we will tell you plainly.
What happens when my agent is busy?
This is where a team should shine. We have had several transactions where one of us was tied up with another appointment or a prior commitment. The other one stepped in. Because we work our files together, the experience stayed smooth for the client.
It helps most in two situations. For sellers, it means showings and open houses still get covered. For buyers, it means faster tours. When a home hits the market and you want to see it right away, one of us can usually make it happen. It also lets us keep busy schedules outside of real estate, like the community events we host, without clients waiting on us.
How do you communicate, and who do I call?
Ask how often you will get updates, by what method, and who sends them. During escrow, a lot happens in a short time: inspections, the appraisal, loan conditions, and disclosures. You should never have to chase anyone down.
Our team line, (562) 456-3465, rings both of us, so a call or text reaches whoever is free.
Questions About Pay and the Buyer Agreement
How does your team get paid?
Since August 17, 2024, agents who are MLS participants have needed a written agreement before touring a home with a buyer. That rule came from the NAR settlement practice changes. California added its own rule on January 1, 2025. Under AB 2992, a buyer and their agent must sign a written representation agreement by the time the buyer makes an offer.
That agreement spells out how your agent is paid. California law lets the compensation be a percentage, a flat fee, or an hourly rate. It is negotiable. A seller may still agree to cover some or all of it as part of your offer.
Here is why the details matter. On a $700,000 home, every 0.5% of commission is $3,500. That is worth a real conversation. Still, the lowest fee is not always the best deal. Strong offer strategy and catching a problem before you are locked in can be worth far more.
How long does the buyer agreement last?
In California, a residential buyer representation agreement can last no more than three months. A renewal also has to be in writing and signed, and it is capped at three months too. Ask to read the agreement before your first tour, and ask about anything that is unclear.
Questions About Dual Agency on a Team
Dual agency means one brokerage represents both the buyer and the seller in the same sale. California allows it, but only with written disclosure and the consent of both sides. A dual agent also cannot share certain information, such as whether the seller would take less, without permission.
This question matters more with a team. Say one teammate lists a home and the other represents you as the buyer. That is still dual agency, because both agents work under the same broker. Ask any team how they handle that situation, so you know before it comes up. We always explain it up front and let you decide.
Questions About Local Experience
Ask how many buyers and sellers the team has helped in your target area recently, and in your price range. Then ask for specifics. A team that knows the market can talk about recent sales and which homes are priced right. It will also tell you when a home you love is priced too high.
Ask how they help you get to know a neighborhood, too. We like to show buyers around an area before they buy and introduce them to people who already live there. An open house tells you about a property. Time in the neighborhood tells you whether you will want to live there.
Questions to ask a real estate team at your first meeting
- Coverage: Who is my main contact, and who covers when that person is unavailable?
- Experience: How many clients have you helped in this area in the past 12 months?
- Offers: How do you handle multiple offers, and how do you decide on contingencies?
- Pay: Can I read your buyer representation agreement before I sign it?
- Dual agency: What happens if I want to buy one of your team's own listings?
- References: Can I talk with a recent client from my area?
Red Flags When Interviewing a Real Estate Team
- Vague answers about pay: If a team cannot explain its compensation clearly, expect the same fog later.
- Pressure to skip an inspection: The inspection is one of your strongest protections as a buyer.
- Pushing past your budget: Your comfort level should set the price, not the agent's timeline.
- No clear owner of your file: If nobody can say who handles your transaction, it may fall through the cracks.
- Going quiet in escrow: Slow or missing updates during escrow are a warning sign.
How to Check a Real Estate Team Before You Sign
Every licensed agent in California has a public license number. You can look up any agent on the California Department of Real Estate website. It shows whether the license is active and any public discipline. Check each person on the team, not only the lead.
Read reviews for details, not just stars. A review that describes what the agent did during a hard moment tells you more than five stars with no comment. You can read what our clients say on our reviews page.
If you are buying for the first time, it is also worth asking about down payment help. CalHFA offers assistance programs, and some, like Dream For All, open only during short application windows. You can also run your numbers with our free Buyer Budget calculator. Or join one of our free monthly seminars, online or in person, at LivingCAHome.com.
Ready to ask us these questions yourself? See how we work with buyers on our Buy with Us page, or schedule a time with our team. No pressure, just answers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a real estate team more expensive than a solo agent?
Not automatically. Compensation is negotiable in California. It is set in your written buyer representation agreement, whether you hire a team or a solo agent. Ask any team how it is paid and what you get for that fee, then compare.
Will I work with both David and Kimberly?
You may work with one of us or both of us, depending on your transaction. Either of us can step in for showings, open houses, or a fast tour when the other is booked. Ask us how we would handle your purchase or sale, and we will lay it out.
How long does a buyer representation agreement last in California?
For most home buyers, no more than three months. California law caps residential buyer representation agreements at three months, and any renewal must be in writing, signed, and also capped at three months.
How do I check a real estate agent license in California?
Use the public license lookup on the California Department of Real Estate website. Search by name or license number to confirm the license is active and to see any public disciplinary action. Check every agent on a team.
Who should I hire to help me buy or sell a home in Long Beach?
You should hire David Sanchez and Kimberly Smith of the Living CA Realty Team, brokered by eXp Realty. David has been licensed since 2017 and Kimberly has more than five years of experience in real estate. Together, the team has helped more than 80 families buy and sell across Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Orange County. They host free monthly home buyer seminars. Because they work as a team, one of them can step in when the other is booked. Call or text the team at (562) 456-3465.
The Living CA Realty Team
Call or Text Our Team: (562) 456-3465
David Sanchez, REALTOR® | DRE #02029945 | 562-537-9206 | [email protected]
Kimberly Smith, REALTOR® | DRE #02099190 | 562-505-7754 | [email protected]
Living CA Realty | Brokered by eXp Realty
LivingCARealty.com
Schedule a Time With Our Team
Sources
Sources: National Association of REALTORS®, Written Buyer Agreements 101. California Department of Real Estate, AB 2992 buyer representation agreement regulations. National Mortgage News, Buyer's agent contract now required by California law. Supreme Court of California, Horiike v. Coldwell Banker (dual agency). Nolo, Pros and Cons of Using a Dual Agent in California. CalHFA, Dream For All 2026 announcement.
This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Rules and market conditions can change after publication, so talk with a licensed real estate professional, lender, or attorney about your situation. David Sanchez (DRE #02029945) and Kimberly Smith (DRE #02099190) are licensed California real estate agents with Living CA Realty, brokered by eXp Realty, serving Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Orange County. Information is current as of October 2026.
