The questions you ask an agent do two jobs at once: they surface facts about the property, and they reveal how the agent operates. A trustworthy professional welcomes hard questions; one who deflects them is telling you something. Going in with a prepared list changes the balance of the conversation in your favour.

Group your questions into a few themes, about the agent, the property, the paperwork and the process, and listen as much to how they answer as to what they say.

Questions about the agent

  • Are you representing the seller, the buyer, or both, and how are you paid?
  • How well do you know this specific project and micro-market?
  • Are you a registered agent under RERA where applicable?
  • Can you share references from recent buyers you have worked with?
  • What is your role after the sale agreement, and where does it end?

Questions about the property

Now probe the asset itself. Vague or evasive answers here are a warning; a good agent will either know the facts or offer to get them in writing.

  • What is the carpet area, and what is the loading factor versus super built-up?
  • What is the exact status of approvals, RERA registration and possession timeline?
  • Why is the seller selling, and how long has the unit been on the market?
  • What are the total costs beyond the base price, including all charges?
  • What are the maintenance charges and the society's financial health?

Questions about the paperwork

  • Is the title clear, and can I have the documents reviewed by my own lawyer?
  • Are there any pending dues, loans or liens on the property?
  • For resale, is the chain of title complete and are society formalities in order?
  • Can every verbal commitment be captured in the registered agreement?
  • Is there any known dispute, complaint or litigation touching the project or unit?

Questions about the neighbourhood and future

An agent who knows the area will speak specifically about water supply, power reliability, traffic at peak times, and how the locality is likely to change. Generic reassurance is a sign they either do not know or do not want to say.

Ask about resale and rental demand for the configuration, and what has actually sold recently nearby. Push gently for specifics rather than optimistic generalities.

Reading the answers

Note whether the agent is willing to put things in writing, whether they encourage or resist independent verification, and whether their answers stay consistent over time. Pressure to hurry, reluctance to share documents, and answers that shift are the signals that matter most.

The best agents make your diligence easier, not harder. That posture, more than any single answer, tells you whether to trust them.

The honest takeaway

You are not being difficult by asking these questions; you are being responsible. The answers, and the agent's willingness to give them, will tell you both about the property and about whether this is the right person to guide the purchase.

This is general guidance. Always verify the agent's answers independently against original documents, and engage your own lawyer before committing.