Questions worth asking any agent
How to Choose a Real Estate Agent in Manchester, TN
Whether you are buying or selling in Manchester, the agent you choose will shape your experience. Here is a fair checklist you can use with any agent, including me.
1. Verify the license
Every real estate agent in Tennessee must be licensed by the Tennessee Real Estate Commission. You can look up any agent by name on the state's license verification site at verify.tn.gov and see the license type, number, status and expiration date. An active license is the minimum. If an agent cannot be found, keep looking.
You may also see two license types. An affiliate broker works under a principal broker at a brokerage. A broker holds a higher level license. Both can help you buy or sell.
2. Look for local knowledge you can check
Coffee County has details that trip people up: two city school districts plus the county district, homes on septic, several utility providers, greenbelt land, and TVA rules on lake shoreline. Ask the agent how they would handle each one. A good agent can explain where to find the facts and will not guess. My guides on schools, utilities, land and Normandy Lake show the kinds of questions that come up.
3. Understand the written agreement
Since August 17, 2024, agents who are MLS participants must have a written agreement with a buyer before touring a home, according to the National Association of REALTORS. Compensation in that agreement is negotiable and is not set by law. Ask the agent to walk you through every line. Sellers sign a listing agreement, and the same rule applies: read it, ask about the term, and ask what happens if you want to end it.
4. Ask how they communicate
Ask how fast they usually reply, whether they text, and who you will deal with day to day. Some agents work alone and some work with a team or assistant. Neither is wrong, but you should know in advance.
5. For buyers: ask about the process
- How will you help me get preapproved and compare loan options?
- How do you check school zoning and septic records for a home?
- How do you approach writing an offer when there are other buyers?
- What happens between contract and closing, and who tracks the deadlines?
6. For sellers: ask how they price and market
- How will you set the price, and what recent sales will you use?
- What should I fix or update before listing?
- Where will my home be marketed, and how are showings handled?
- What disclosure forms will I need under Tennessee law?
My what is my home worth guide explains how a real pricing analysis works.
7. Watch for red flags
- Pressure to sign before you understand the agreement.
- A price for your home that seems far higher than anyone else suggests, with no sales to back it up.
- Vague answers about fees or who the agent represents.
- Claims you cannot verify.
8. Interview more than one agent
It is perfectly fine to talk with two or three agents before you decide. You are hiring someone for one of the biggest transactions of your life.
Want to interview me?
I am glad to answer every question on this list. Read about working with me, then send me a message or start with the buyer guide.
Common questions
How do I check if a Tennessee real estate agent is licensed?
Search the agent by name on the state license verification site, verify.tn.gov, which shows license type, status and expiration.
Do I have to sign an agreement with a buyer agent in Tennessee?
Agents who are MLS participants must have a written agreement with a buyer before touring, under rules in effect since August 17, 2024. Compensation is negotiable.
Should I interview more than one real estate agent?
Yes. Talking with two or three agents helps you compare knowledge, communication and how each one would handle your sale or purchase.
Matt Sargent is a Tennessee licensed affiliate broker with Keller Williams who helps buyers and sellers in Manchester and Coffee County. Call (615) 497 1658 or send a message.