Hiring the right realtor can save you thousands of dollars, reduce stress, and completely change your experience when buying or selling a home.

But one of the biggest mistakes we see people make is choosing an agent simply because they’re a friend, family member, or someone they know casually, instead of choosing someone who is actively working in today’s market every single day.

Real estate changes constantly, especially in competitive markets like San Diego and Chula Vista. Pricing strategies, negotiation leverage, interest rates, buyer demand, and inventory can shift quickly. If your realtor is not actively involved in the market, it can directly impact your results.

At Peraza Real Estate, here are the questions we believe every buyer and seller should ask before hiring an agent.

Are You a Full-Time Realtor?

This is one of the most important questions you can ask.

A full-time realtor is constantly studying market trends, negotiating deals, previewing homes, networking with other agents, and adapting to changing conditions.

An inactive or part-time agent may not fully understand:
• Current home values
• What buyers are actually paying
• Which neighborhoods are moving quickly
• How to structure competitive offers
• How to negotiate effectively in today’s market

That lack of experience can cost you real money.

For example, we’ve seen buyers work with inexperienced agents who didn’t properly explain pricing or payment expectations upfront. The buyer thought they were comfortable financially, only to later experience “payment shock” once real numbers came in from the lender.

That creates unnecessary stress and can put buyers in a position where they feel pressured into purchasing something they may not truly be comfortable with.

How Will You Help Me Understand the Process?

A good realtor doesn’t just unlock doors or put a sign in the yard.

They educate you.

Whether you’re buying or selling, there are a lot of moving parts:
• Disclosures
• Inspections
• Financing
• Escrow timelines
• Contingencies
• Negotiations
• Appraisals
• Repairs
• Closing costs

If your realtor doesn’t take the time to explain what’s happening and what comes next, the transaction can quickly become overwhelming.

One of the biggest goals we have with clients is making sure they understand the “why” behind every step. When clients understand the process, they feel more confident, less stressed, and can make better decisions.

Do You Have Trusted Lender and Vendor Relationships?

Real estate is a team sport.

Your realtor should have strong relationships with:
• Lenders
• Inspectors
• Contractors
• Escrow officers
• Title reps
• Insurance providers

For buyers especially, having the right lender matters tremendously.

At Peraza Real Estate, we always encourage buyers to go through a true pre-approval process before shopping seriously for homes. That means reviewing income, debts, taxes, monthly payments, estimated closing costs, and realistic expectations upfront.

Skipping this step can create major issues later.

A strong realtor helps connect you with professionals who provide accurate information from the beginning, not vague estimates that change dramatically later in escrow.

How Strong Are Your Negotiation Skills?

Negotiation is one of the biggest ways a realtor can protect your money.

A strong agent should be actively looking for ways to:
• Negotiate seller credits
• Reduce repair costs
• Improve contract terms
• Negotiate pricing
• Protect contingencies
• Position your offer strategically

Unfortunately, not every agent negotiates aggressively for their clients.

Some agents are simply focused on getting the deal closed as quickly as possible.

That mindset can cost buyers and sellers thousands of dollars.

A realtor should always be looking out for your best interests, not just trying to get to the closing table.

How Well Do You Know the Local Market?

Local knowledge matters more than people realize.

In San Diego alone, every neighborhood behaves differently.

A realtor should understand:
• Neighborhood pricing trends
• School districts
• Future development plans
• Commute patterns
• Buyer demand
• Inventory trends
• Lifestyle differences between communities

The strategies that work in Chula Vista may not work in North Park, Eastlake, La Jolla, or Downtown San Diego.

You want someone who truly understands the local market dynamics and can guide you accordingly.

How Do You Communicate With Clients?

Communication can make or break a transaction.

You should know:
• How often your realtor updates clients
• Whether they prefer calls, texts, or email
• How quickly they respond
• Whether you’ll work directly with them or a team member

A good realtor keeps you informed before problems arise, not after.

One of the biggest complaints consumers have about real estate agents is lack of communication. You should never feel left in the dark during a transaction.

What Happens if Problems Come Up During Escrow?

Every transaction has challenges.

Inspections uncover issues. Financing changes. Appraisals come in low. Timelines shift.

The question is not whether problems happen.
The question is whether your realtor knows how to handle them calmly and strategically.

Experienced agents know how to solve problems while protecting their clients emotionally and financially.

Can You Explain the Current Market Honestly?

You don’t want a realtor who simply tells you what you want to hear.

You want someone who tells you the truth.

That means being honest about:
• Pricing expectations
• Competition levels
• Market timing
• Necessary repairs or updates
• What buyers are realistically willing to pay

The best realtors are advisors first, salespeople second.

We will leave you with this

Choosing a realtor is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll make during the buying or selling process.

The right agent should:
• Educate you
• Protect you
• Communicate clearly
• Negotiate strongly
• Understand the market deeply
• Help you feel confident throughout the process

Real estate is not just about opening doors or putting homes online.

It’s about strategy, communication, education, and protecting people through one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.

At Peraza Real Estate, we believe clients deserve transparency, education, and honest guidance from start to finish.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling in San Diego, Chula Vista, or surrounding areas, make sure you interview multiple agents and ask the hard questions before making your decision.

The right realtor can make all the difference.

Peraza Real Estate | Est. 2003

Trusted, Professional Realtor Representation

“It’s not about real estate; it’s about changing people’s lives.”

@leslieperazarealtor @luisperazarealtor @angeloperazabroker @perazarealestate

Leslie Peraza | Luis Peraza | Angelo Peraza

DRE 01426666 | 02118046 | 02245695

Finest City Homes 01331749