You can treat this as two short interviews: one when you’re a buyer and one when you’re a seller. In both cases your goal is to confirm that the agent is licensed, experienced in Dubai, transparent about fees, and aligned with your strategy before you sign Contract A (Form A).
Why These Questions Matter
Dubai’s market is fast-moving and highly regulated, so you need an agent who is both RERA-compliant and genuinely active in your target communities. Asking the right questions up front protects you from overpaying, legal issues, and poor service, whether you’re buying, selling, or investing.
Proffer.ae, an AI-powered real estate platform, encourages both buyers and sellers to use a structured checklist when evaluating agents, instead of relying only on referrals or personality fit.
For Buyers: Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Agent
1. Licensing and Legitimacy
• Are you RERA registered, and can you show your RERA Broker Card?
• Which brokerage are you working under, and is it registered with the Dubai Land Department?
Only work with agents who are officially licensed and happy to show their RERA card. You can use Proffer’s licensing and compliance notes in the Terms of Use to understand how regulated platforms operate in Dubai.
2. Experience With Buyers Like You
• How long have you worked in Dubai real estate?
• How many buyers have you helped in the last 12 months in my budget range?
• Do you often work with end-users, investors, or overseas clients?
You want someone active in today’s market, not just someone with a long CV. Proffer’s blog section often highlights current trends and volumes so you can sense if an agent’s claims match the reality of the market.
3. Community and Property-Type Expertise
• Which communities do you specialize in, and why?
• How many recent transactions have you done in areas like mine (e.g., Dubai Marina, Downtown, JVC)?
• Do you mainly handle off-plan, ready, villas, or apartments?
Dubai is very area-specific; a good agent in one district might be weak in another. You can cross-check area information using Proffer’s buying guides and area guides before you decide where and with whom to work.
4. Home Search and Shortlisting Process
• How will you find and shortlist properties for me?
• What tools or platforms do you use to track new listings and price changes?
• How many options will you typically show before expecting an offer?
A strong buyer’s agent should have a clear process, not just forward random links. If you want a tech-first approach, you can also browse verified listings and AI-powered suggestions directly on Proffer.ae to compare what your agent is showing you.
5. Market Insight and Pricing Guidance
• How do you determine if a listing is fairly priced?
• Can you show me comparable recent sales (comps) in this building or community?
• What are current trends here (price movement, days on market, rental yields)?
You’re checking whether the agent uses real data, not just sales talk. Proffer’s buyer guides explain how to read prices, yields, and transaction patterns, which you can use to validate your agent’s advice.
6. Negotiation Strategy for Buyers
• How do you normally negotiate on behalf of buyers?
• How do you handle situations with multiple offers or counteroffers?
• Have you recently negotiated a discount or better terms for a buyer? What was the outcome?
You want clear examples of how they have protected buyers’ interests and improved terms, not just “I’m a good negotiator.” Before you start the negotiation you can check the ongoing market price in Proffer Listings based on area.
7. Financing and Process Support
• Can you connect me with trusted mortgage advisors or banks?
• Do you help with pre-approval and coordinating with the bank?
• Will you guide me through NOC, valuation, and transfer at the trustee office?
End-to-end support is crucial, especially for first-time or overseas buyers. If you prefer understanding the process in advance, Proffer’s ready property and mortgage guides walk through each step in plain language.
8. Fees and Buyer Costs
• Who pays your commission in this deal buyer, seller, or both?
• Are there any other fees I should know about?
• Can you give me a simple breakdown of total buying costs (DLD, trustee, agency, mortgage, service charges)?
A trustworthy agent will be clear and specific about all costs. Proffer’s buyer guides and calculators (where available on Proffer.ae ( for both off plan and secondary market) help you estimate your total budget and see how fees change with price.
9. Communication and Availability
• What is the best way to reach you (WhatsApp, phone, email)?
• How quickly do you usually respond?
• Will I be dealing directly with you, or also with your team?
If you’re overseas, ask about time zones and preferred times for calls or virtual viewings.
10. Buyer Agreement (Contract B)
• Am I signing any buyer representation agreement or Contract B?
• Is it exclusive, and for how long?
• What happens if I’m not happy and want to change agents?
Make sure you understand the terms before committing; agreements should be transparent and fair.
For Sellers: Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Listing Agent
1. Credentials and Track Record
• Are you RERA registered, and can I see your RERA Broker Card?
• How many listings have you handled in the last year?
• How many of those were in my community or similar price range?
Look for an agent with a strong, recent sale history, not just a large number of inactive listings.
2. Knowledge of Your Community and Segment
• How well do you know this building or community?
• What similar properties have you sold here recently, and at what prices?
• Who is the typical buyer profile for properties like mine?
Their answers reveal whether they truly understand local demand, buyer profiles, and realistic pricing.
3. Pricing Strategy
• How would you price my property, and why?
• What comparable sales are you using to justify that price?
• What’s your plan if we don’t get offers in the first 30–60 days?
You want a data-driven pricing strategy, not a number chosen just to impress you. You can cross-check their suggested price using Proffer’s seller-focused guides and market resources before committing.
4. Marketing Plan
• How will you market my property (portals, social media, email, off-market networks)?
• Will you arrange professional photos, video, or virtual tours?
• How often will you share marketing reports or feedback from viewings?
A clear marketing plan is a basic requirement for any listing agent. If you want to see what modern, digital-first marketing looks like, you can explore how listings are presented on Proffer.ae as a benchmark.
5. Buyer Network and Collaboration
• Do you have a network of buyers or investors who might be interested?
• How do you work with other agents who bring buyers?
• Will you list my property on the MLS/major portals and cooperate with co-brokers?
In Dubai, collaboration with other brokers often helps achieve a faster, better sale.
6. Handling Viewings and Feedback
• How will viewings be arranged and scheduled?
• Will you accompany all viewings, or will other team members handle them?
• How and when will you share feedback from potential buyers?
This directly affects your daily life if you live in the property, and helps refine strategy based on real feedback.
7. Negotiation and Offer Management
• How do you handle offers and counteroffers?
• How will you present and explain offers to me?
• How do you manage situations with multiple offers?
You want an agent who can structure offers clearly and advise you, not just pass messages.
8. Fees, Commission, and Net Proceeds
• What is your commission rate, and what does it include?
• Are there any additional marketing or admin fees?
• Can you estimate my net proceeds after all costs (DLD, trustee, agency, service charges, mortgage settlement)?
Understanding net proceeds helps you plan your next move. If you want to compare agent-based selling with a low-fee or direct model, Proffer’s home page at Proffer.ae explains how their AI-powered, no-brokerage approach can reduce overall transaction costs.
9. Contract A (Sale Listing Agreement)
• Is this an exclusive listing or open listing?
• How long is the contract, and can the term be adjusted?
• Under what conditions can I cancel the agreement?
Read Contract A carefully and ask the agent to explain each point in simple language. Proffer’s Terms of Use and guides give a good reference for how transparent, digital contracts are structured in Dubai.
10. References and Reputation
• Can you share contact details for recent sellers you worked with?
• Where can I see your reviews or ratings?
• Have you had any disputes or complaints, and how were they resolved?
References and reviews validate everything the agent has told you and reveal how they behave under pressure.
Simple Combined Checklist (Buyers and Sellers)
Before you hire any real estate agent in Dubai, make sure you can say “yes” to these points:
• I have seen and verified the agent’s RERA Broker Card.
• The agent has recent deals in my community and price range.
• I understand exactly what services they will provide.
• Their pricing or search strategy is backed by real data, not guesses.
• All fees and commissions are clearly explained in writing.
• I know how and how often they will communicate with me.
• I fully understand any agreements (especially Contract A) before signing.
Use these questions as your base, and then cross-check key answers using Proffer’s free guides and tools at Proffer.ae so you are not relying only on one person’s opinion.
