10 Questions to Ask a Real Estate Agent in NH (2026)

Quick answer: The most important questions to ask a real estate agent in New Hampshire cover how they get paid, whether you'll sign a written buyer agreement, their recent track record in your specific towns, and how they'll handle a market where the statewide median hit $575,000 in June 2026. Interview at least two agents before you commit.

Hiring the right agent is the single biggest decision you'll make before you ever tour a home. In a competitive market like southern New Hampshire — where the New Hampshire Association of Realtors reported a record-setting $1.01 billion in June 2026 sales volume — the difference between a good agent and a great one shows up in your final number. At The Phinney Team, we welcome these questions, because the buyers and sellers who ask them are the ones who end up happiest at the closing table.

Here are the 10 questions to ask a real estate agent before you sign anything in 2026.

1. How do you get paid, and what will I owe?

This is the question that changed the most in the last two years. Following the National Association of Realtors settlement, buyer agents now disclose their compensation up front in writing. Ask for a specific number or percentage — not a vague "whatever the seller offers." A good agent will walk you through who pays, when, and how it appears on your closing statement. If the answer is fuzzy, keep interviewing.

2. Will I have to sign a buyer agreement before we tour homes?

In 2026, the answer is almost always yes. Written buyer representation agreements are now standard before an agent shows you homes. What matters is the terms: a 30- to 90-day agreement is reasonable while you're still shopping, and you should understand the term length, the covered properties, and any "tail clause" before you sign. This is one of the most important questions to ask a real estate agent, because it defines your commitment.

3. How many homes have you closed in my towns this year?

Statewide numbers only tell you so much. A Bedford colonial, a Manchester multi-family, and a Concord condo are three different markets with different buyers. Ask how many transactions the agent has actually closed recently in the specific towns you care about. Local volume is the clearest signal that an agent knows current pricing, inspection quirks, and which listings are overpriced.

4. What's your plan if we're up against multiple offers?

With roughly 2.6 months of housing supply statewide and desirable homes in Hillsborough County selling in a median of about 23 days, the strongest listings still draw competition. Ask exactly how the agent structures a winning offer: escalation strategy, inspection approach, appraisal-gap language, and how they'll advise you to protect yourself without overpaying. "We'll just offer more" is not a strategy.

5. How will you price my home — or tell me a listing is overpriced?

For sellers, pricing is everything. For buyers, an agent who can spot an overpriced listing saves you thousands. Ask to see a comparative market analysis and how they arrived at the number. Homes across New Hampshire sold at about 99.46% of list price in mid-2026, so the days-on-market and price-to-list data behind their recommendation should be specific and current, not a gut feeling.

6. Who actually handles my transaction day to day?

Some agents work solo; others work on a team. Neither is automatically better, but you deserve to know who answers your calls, who attends your inspection, and who negotiates your offer. On our team, you get a lead agent plus a transaction coordinator so nothing slips — but ask any agent to spell out exactly who does what.

7. How do you communicate, and how fast?

In a market where a great home can hit the MLS Thursday and be under agreement by Sunday, response time wins deals. Ask how the agent communicates — call, text, email — and what turnaround you can expect. Then notice how quickly they responded to you during this very conversation. That's your preview.

8. Can I talk to two or three of your recent clients?

Online reviews are useful, but a live conversation with a recent buyer or seller is better. A confident agent hands over references without hesitation. Ask those past clients what surprised them, what they'd change, and whether the agent's guidance held up when the deal got stressful.

9. What should I budget beyond the purchase price?

New Hampshire has no general sales or income tax, but property taxes vary widely by town and the state transfer tax is split between buyer and seller. With 30-year mortgage rates at 6.55% as of mid-July 2026 per Freddie Mac, a good agent connects you with a trusted local lender early and helps you model the full monthly cost — taxes, insurance, and closing costs included — not just the sticker price.

10. Why should I hire you over the other agents I'm interviewing?

End every interview here. The best agents answer with specifics — local data, a marketing plan, a negotiation philosophy — not slogans. This final question tells you how an agent sells, because how they pitch themselves is a preview of how they'll pitch your offer or your listing. Learn more about our approach and team on our about page, and explore the southern NH towns we serve.

How many agents should I interview before choosing one?

Interview at least two, ideally three. Talking to more than one agent is the fastest way to calibrate — you'll quickly hear the difference between an agent reciting generic advice and one who knows your town's inventory, pricing, and buyers cold. There is no obligation in an interview, and any good agent expects you to shop around.

Is it rude to interview multiple real estate agents?

Not at all. Choosing a real estate agent in NH is hiring a professional to guide a six- or seven-figure decision, and interviewing several candidates is exactly what you'd do for any major hire. Reputable agents respect the process and would rather earn your business than assume it. If an agent pressures you to skip the comparison, treat that as useful information.

Related reading

If you found these questions helpful, keep going: our guide on whether you need an agent to buy a home in NH explains what representation actually gets you, while 10 questions to ask a listing agent digs into the seller side. And if you're weighing solo agents against teams, see why the top real estate agent in southern NH is actually a team.

Frequently asked questions

What questions should first-time buyers ask a real estate agent in NH?

First-time buyers should ask how the agent gets paid, whether a buyer agreement is required before touring, how they'll compete in multiple-offer situations, and what to budget beyond the purchase price. In 2026, understanding buyer-agent compensation up front is essential, since it's now disclosed in writing before you start seeing homes.

Do I have to sign a buyer agreement to work with an agent in New Hampshire?

In most cases, yes. Since the NAR settlement took effect, written buyer representation agreements are standard before an agent shows you homes. Focus on the term length, covered properties, compensation amount, and termination terms. A 30- to 90-day agreement gives you flexibility while you decide whether the agent is the right fit.

How do I know if a real estate agent is good?

Look for recent, local closings in your specific towns, clear communication, references from recent clients, and specific data behind their pricing advice. A good agent explains the current market with real numbers — like New Hampshire's $575,000 June 2026 median — rather than slogans, and welcomes your questions instead of rushing you toward a signature.

How much does a real estate agent cost in New Hampshire in 2026?

Commissions are fully negotiable and are no longer set by any standard rate. Buyer-agent compensation is disclosed in your written agreement and may be paid by the seller as a concession or by you directly. Ask each agent for a specific figure and how it will appear on your closing statement before you commit.

Market figures via the New Hampshire Association of Realtors (June 2026) and Freddie Mac. Compensation rules per the National Association of Realtors settlement FAQs. The Phinney Team at Keller Williams Realty Metropolitan, 168 South River Road, Bedford, NH 03110.