Being a real estate agent is like playing a running game of 20 questions, with the same questions being asked again and again, with slight variances and asked by different folks.

Before placing a bid on a house, home buyers are going to want to be sure, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are making the right decision. When buying a new home is marked as a bigger stressor than getting a divorce, you know that it’s all on you to ease your clients’ fears.

One way of doing that is by maintaining an easily navigable real estate IDX website. The website can show your past and current listings and include testimonials from previous and current clients.

After taking care of your website, there’s still the 20 questions to answer. To make things easy, try including the answers to those questions on your website.

But, if you’re still fairly new to real estate, you might not quite have those 20 questions and answers down pat just yet. So, to help you out, here are the 5 most common listing questions clients ask and how best to answer each!

Q 1: Here’s my budget. What type of house can I afford?

A: This is a tricky question. The buyer might assume their budget can afford them a 2,400-sq. ft. home, but you know that in today’s market, it’ll score them closer to a 1,500-sq. ft. home. Realtor advises that you tell your clients to meet with a mortgage lender so they can better understand their financials and what they’ll need to make up the difference.

Q 2: Can I trade the house I have for sale with another homeowner who has their house for sale too?

A: Technically, yes they can. According to Bankrate, “the house-swap strategy has long been used by owners of vacation homes who often trade temporarily. But the idea of a permanent home swap, although more popular than a few years ago, isn’t an option most sellers consider.”

Making a trade does not guarantee the seller (or trader in this case) that they will be getting a fair deal. Advise clients against trading!

Q 3: Are home inspections worth the money?

A: Answer this question with a resounding yes. Investopedia writes that a home inspection “[detects] safety issues like radon, carbon monoxide, and mold, which all homes should be tested for,” Investopedia goes on to say that homebuyers should “make sure that [the] home-buying contract states that should hazards be detected, [the buyers] have the option to cancel the buy.”

Buyers will appreciate a real estate agent who looks out for their interest before the agent’s own. It’ll help you keep and retain clients.

Q 4: What can we, the buyers, expect from you, the realtor?

A: Tell them you take care of the appointments, check-ins, and general housing schedule. Assure your clients that you will walk them through every step of the housing process and will work hard as their representative, ensuring them a fair deal on a house. Let them know that it’s your mission to help them find the home of their dreams.

Q 5: Can I back out of the home-buying contract if I, the buyer, change my mind?

A: Yes, they can back out of the deal, but they should know that they will still be on the hook for the earnest money, which can be anywhere from 1 to 10 percent of the house’s price.

Buying a home is a dream true for your clients. Make it an easy thing to do by knowing how to respond to and act on their most pressing questions!