The Top 5 Questions First-Time Homebuyers Are Asking Real Estate Agents in 2025

A complete guide to what's trending in today's changing real estate market

Buying your first home has always been exciting — and a little overwhelming. But in 2025, first-time homebuyers are navigating a completely transformed real estate landscape, especially after the National Association of Realtors (NAR) settlement went into effect in August 2024. These changes have fundamentally altered how buyers work with real estate agents, creating new questions and concerns that didn’t even exist two years ago.

If you're a first-time homebuyer preparing to enter the market, understanding what to ask can make the difference between a smooth transaction and costly surprises. Based on recent industry data and consumer surveys, here are the five most trending questions first-time buyers are asking when interviewing real estate agents in 2025.

1. “What Will Be Included in Our Written Buyer Agreement?”

Why This Question is Trending Now
Since August 17, 2024, written buyer agreements became mandatory before agents can show properties to prospective buyers. This is a seismic shift from the previous system where buyers could casually work with multiple agents without formal commitments.

For first-time buyers, this requirement has created anxiety about signing documents they don't fully understand. Unlike experienced buyers, first-timers are asking detailed questions about what they’re committing to.

What You Should Know
A written buyer agreement typically includes:

• Duration of the relationship (30, 60, or 90 days are common)

• Geographic areas covered

• Types of properties included

• Compensation terms

• Termination conditions

• Services the agent will provide

Key Follow-Up Questions to Ask:

• How long does this agreement last, and can I terminate it early?

• Does this prevent me from working with other agents for different properties?

• What specific services are you committing to provide?

• What happens if we can’t find a home during the agreement period?

2. “How Much Will I Have to Pay You, and Who Actually Pays It?”

The New Reality of Agent Compensation
Perhaps no question reflects post-NAR settlement anxiety more than this one. Under the old system, buyer agents were typically paid through the seller's proceeds, with commission rates preset on MLS listings. Now, commission rates are fully negotiable, and there’s no guarantee that sellers will offer buyer-agent compensation.

Recent data shows that 76% of first-time buyers are concerned about potentially having to pay agent commissions out-of-pocket. This is especially stressful for buyers already stretching budgets for down payments and closing costs.

What’s Really Happening
Many sellers are still offering buyer-agent compensation to attract more buyers — but it’s no longer automatic or advertised upfront. This uncertainty has created a trending conversation around agent fees that didn’t exist before.

Questions to Ask Your Agent:

• What is your commission rate, and is it negotiable?

• Do you have strategies to help ensure sellers cover your compensation?

• If I have to pay your fee directly, can we work out a payment plan?

• Are there any circumstances where you might reduce your commission?

3. “Do You Work Specifically with First-Time Buyers?”

Why Specialization Matters More Than Ever
With 24% of all homebuyers in 2025 being first-timers, this demographic is seeking agents who understand their unique challenges. The new buyer agreement requirements, commission uncertainties, and market complexities have made specialized expertise more valuable than ever.

First-time buyers need agents who can:

• Explain complex processes in simple terms

• Navigate first-time buyer programs and incentives

• Provide patient guidance through emotional decisions

• Connect them with trusted lending partners

• Help them understand long-term homeownership costs

Red Flags to Watch For:
Be cautious of agents who:

• Rush you through the buyer agreement signing

• Can’t explain first-time buyer programs available in your area

• Don’t ask about your specific needs and concerns

• Seem impatient with your questions

Questions That Reveal Specialization:

• How many first-time buyers did you work with last year?

• Can you explain the specific first-time buyer programs available in our area?

• Do you have partnerships with lenders who specialize in first-time buyer loans?

• Can you walk me through the entire buying process step by step?

4. “What’s Your Experience in My Target Area and Price Range?”

Local Expertise is Everything
This question has always been important, but it’s become even more critical in 2025 as market conditions vary dramatically by location and price point. With 46% of buyers prioritizing local market knowledge when choosing an agent, first-time buyers are asking increasingly specific questions about neighborhood expertise.

Local expertise includes:

• Recent sales data and market trends

• Neighborhood characteristics and future developments

• School districts and community amenities

• Property tax implications

• HOA fees and community rules

• Resale potential and market appreciation patterns

Specific Questions to Ask:

• How many homes have you sold in my target neighborhood in the last 12 months?

• What’s the average time on market for homes in my price range?

• Are there any upcoming developments or changes that might affect property values?

• What do buyers in my price range typically encounter as challenges?

• Can you provide references from recent first-time buyers in this area?

5. “How Will You Help Me Understand All the Costs Involved?”

The Surprise Factor
Recent surveys reveal that 27% of buyers are surprised by paperwork complexity, while 23% are shocked by total costs. First-time buyers are now proactively asking agents to break down every potential expense, reflecting a desire for complete transparency that wasn’t as prominent before.

Beyond the Purchase Price
First-time buyers are asking about:

• Closing costs and who pays what

• Property taxes and how they’re calculated

• HOA fees and special assessments

• Utility costs and connection fees

• Immediate repair or update needs

• Ongoing maintenance expenses

• Insurance requirements and costs

The Right Agent Response:
A good agent should:

• Provide detailed cost breakdowns for each property

• Explain local tax implications

• Connect you with insurance agents for quotes

• Help you budget for immediate move-in expenses

• Discuss long-term homeownership costs

Other Trending Concerns in 2025

Communication and Availability

With 46% of buyers prioritizing communication when choosing an agent, first-time buyers are asking specific questions about:

• Response times for calls and texts

• Preferred communication methods

• Availability for urgent situations

• How they’ll be kept informed throughout the process

Technology Integration

Modern first-time buyers expect digital-first experiences and are asking about:

• Virtual tour capabilities

• Online document signing processes

• Digital property search tools

• Electronic communication platforms

Post-Settlement Market Navigation

Many first-time buyers are specifically asking agents to explain how the new NAR settlement rules affect them personally and whether they’ll face higher costs than buyers in previous years.

Making the Right Choice

Data shows that 91% of buyers interview three or fewer agents before selecting one — but first-time buyers in 2025 are taking more time to ask detailed questions upfront. This careful approach is wise, given the complexity of the current market.

Questions Every First-Time Buyer Should Ask:

• Agreement Terms: What exactly am I committing to in this buyer agreement?

• Costs: What will this cost me, and when will I pay it?

• Specialization: Do you regularly work with buyers like me?

• Local Knowledge: How well do you know my target area and price range?

• Full Disclosure: What are all the costs I should expect throughout this process?

The Bottom Line

The real estate landscape has fundamentally changed, and first-time buyers are right to ask more questions than ever before. These trending questions reflect a need for transparency, education, and cost clarity in a market where traditional practices no longer apply.

The key is finding an agent who welcomes your questions, provides clear answers, and demonstrates genuine expertise in working with first-time buyers. Don’t rush the selection process — the right agent will make your first home purchase smoother, less stressful, and more successful.

Remember, in today’s market, an educated buyer is an empowered buyer. The agents worth working with will appreciate your thoroughness and reward it with exceptional service throughout your home-buying journey.

Ready to Start Your Home-Buying Journey?

Use these questions as your guide when interviewing potential agents, and don’t settle for anything less than complete transparency and expertise. Your first home purchase is too important to leave to chance.