15 Questions to Ask a Real Estate Agent Before You Hire One — San Gabriel Valley & North Orange County

Homeowner couple interviewing a real estate agent before hiring — questions to ask a real estate agent in Diamond Bar Walnut Chino Hills Brea Yorba Linda San Gabriel Valley 2026

Hiring a real estate agent is one of the most consequential decisions you will make in a real estate transaction. The right agent can mean the difference between a smooth, well-priced sale and months of frustration, price reductions, and lost equity. The wrong agent can cost you tens of thousands of dollars and months of your time.

Yet most homeowners in Diamond Bar, Walnut, Chino Hills, Brea, Yorba Linda, Rowland Heights, and La Habra spend more time researching a new appliance than they spend interviewing the person who will manage the sale of their most valuable asset.

This guide gives you the exact questions to ask — and more importantly, what the right answers actually sound like — so you can hire with confidence.

2026 Agent Screening Summary — San Gabriel Valley & North Orange County

Hiring a real estate agent in the tri-county border area requires looking past sales presentations and verifying three core performance metrics:

  • Pricing precision: Ask for their list-to-sold price ratio with documentation. The LA County MLS average is 99.2% in 2026. Top agents in this market run at 100%–102%. The difference on a $1,250,000 home is $10,000–$37,500 in your pocket.
  • Marketing beyond syndication: Most agents upload to the MLS and wait. Less than 10% have a proactive marketing plan that drives buyers to the listing from outside the standard portals. Ask specifically what they do beyond Zillow and Redfin.
  • Local market data fluency: A serious local agent can tell you the current absorption rate for your specific city without looking it up. In the SGV and North Orange County as of May 2026 that number is approximately 2.1 months — a seller’s market. If they can’t give you a specific number, they are not tracking the market you are paying them to understand.

Jack Ma | REALTOR® | DRE #01869426 | Century 21 Masters | 101.9% list-to-sold ratio YTD 2026 | Bilingual English & Mandarin

⚠️ What Most Homeowners Don’t Know About the Real Estate Industry

The Numbers Behind the License

~70%
of licensed real estate agents did not sell a single home last year
<10%
of active agents are true listing specialists — agents who work primarily with sellers
400K+
licensed real estate agents in California — most rarely transact

A real estate license is relatively easy to obtain and inexpensive to maintain. The result is a large pool of licensed agents — most of whom do little to no business. When you call an agent off a sign, a mailer, or a Zillow profile, you have no way of knowing whether you are talking to someone who closed 30 transactions last year or someone who closed 1.

Less than 10% of agents in this market would be considered a true listing specialist — an agent who works primarily with sellers, understands pricing strategy deeply, and has a genuine marketing system. The majority work primarily with buyers, or split their time evenly, and approach listings the same way: put it on the MLS, let it syndicate to Zillow and Redfin, tell their sphere, and wait.

That is not a marketing plan. That is a listing with a lockbox. The questions in this guide help you tell the difference.

Quick Reference — Questions to Ask Any Real Estate Agent Before You Hire

  • Are you a neighborhood specialist, a marketing specialist, or both — and which approach fits my home?
  • What is your list-to-sold price ratio?
  • What is your average days on market compared to the local average?
  • How will you price my home and what data supports that price?
  • What is your marketing plan beyond putting it on the MLS?
  • How do you communicate with clients and how often?
  • Do you represent buyers and sellers at the same time?
  • Can I verify your license and see your recent transaction history?
  • What happens if I am not happy with your service?
  • What makes you the right agent for my specific situation?

Why Do Most Homeowners Ask the Wrong Questions When Interviewing an Agent?

The most common question homeowners ask when interviewing agents is: “What do you think my home is worth?”

This is the wrong first question. It tells you nothing about the agent’s skill — and it often produces inflated answers from agents who know that whoever quotes the highest price is most likely to get the listing. This is called buying the listing — and it is one of the most common ways sellers end up with homes that sit on the market, accumulate days-on-market stigma, and eventually sell for less than they would have with a correctly priced launch.

The better approach is to ask questions that reveal the agent’s track record, strategy, and honesty before price ever comes up. Here is how to do that.

Question 1: Are You a Neighborhood Specialist or a Marketing Specialist — and Which Do I Need?

What this reveals: How they generate buyers and why it matters for your specific home

This is one of the most insightful questions you can ask — and most homeowners have never thought to ask it. There are two fundamentally different types of listing agents, and understanding the difference helps you hire the right one for your situation.

The Neighborhood Specialist

A neighborhood specialist — sometimes called a geographic farmer — focuses intensely on a specific neighborhood, subdivision, or ZIP code. They send mailers to the same streets every month. They host community events. They know the neighbors by name. They have sold homes on your street before and can tell you exactly what the buyers cared about.

Their advantage is depth. When they list your home, they often already know who in the neighborhood is thinking about moving up, which neighbors have adult children looking to buy nearby, and which local business owners have been watching the market. That embedded local network can produce buyers that no algorithm or paid ad ever reaches.

Their limitation is reach. A neighborhood specialist’s buyer pool is deep but narrow. If the right buyer for your home is relocating from another state, moving from a different city in the San Gabriel Valley, or being reached through digital search — a purely local approach may not find them.

The Marketing Specialist

A marketing specialist builds demand from everywhere. Professional photography, video walkthroughs, targeted social media campaigns, email outreach to active buyer databases, international buyer networks, and a listing presentation engineered to attract maximum traffic from the widest possible audience.

Their advantage is reach. They drive buyers to your listing from across the region — and sometimes across the world. In a market like the San Gabriel Valley and North Orange County, where a meaningful percentage of buyers are relocating from other states or countries and searching online before they ever visit a neighborhood, this reach matters.

Their limitation is that they may not have the deep local relationships and neighborhood-specific knowledge that a geographic farmer has built over years.

The Honest Answer: The best agents are both — or know clearly which they are and can explain why their approach fits your property. A high-visibility home on a busy street in Diamond Bar may benefit most from broad marketing reach. A home in a tight-knit Walnut neighborhood where neighbors refer buyers to each other may benefit from deep local relationships. Ask the agent which type they are — and whether that matches your home’s situation.

What a strong answer looks like: An agent who can articulate their specific approach — whether they farm a geographic area, drive traffic through digital marketing, or do both — and explain why that approach is the right fit for your specific property and neighborhood.

What a weak answer looks like: “I know everyone in the area” with no marketing plan — or a slick marketing presentation with no local market knowledge. Either alone is incomplete.

Question 2: What Is Your List-to-Sold Price Ratio — and Can You Show Me Documentation?

What this reveals: Pricing accuracy and marketing effectiveness

The list-to-sold price ratio is the single most objective measure of an agent’s performance. It tells you what percentage of asking price their listings actually sell for — on average, across all their transactions.

  • 100% or above = listings sell at or above asking price. Strong pricing strategy and marketing.
  • 98–99% = slightly below asking — near MLS average. Acceptable but not exceptional.
  • Below 97% = listings are consistently selling below list price, which may indicate overpricing at launch, weak marketing, or poor negotiation.
2026 Benchmark: The Los Angeles County MLS average list-to-sold price ratio is 99.2% as of May 2026. Jack Ma’s year-to-date 2026 ratio is 101.9% — 2.7 points above the market average. On a $1,250,000 home that difference is $33,750 more in the seller’s pocket.

What a strong answer looks like: A specific number they can verify, ideally with documentation from their MLS statistics report. Any agent worth hiring should know this number without hesitation.

What a weak answer looks like: “I always get my clients great prices” or “it depends on the market.” These are non-answers. Push for a specific number.

Question 3: How Does Your Average Days on Market Compare to the Local Average?

What this reveals: How efficiently they move inventory

Days on market (DOM) measures how long a listing takes to go under contract. A lower DOM than the local average indicates the agent prices correctly, markets effectively, and creates urgency. A higher DOM suggests overpricing, weak marketing, or both.

In the San Gabriel Valley and North Orange County, the current median days on market for sold homes is approximately 12–18 days depending on city. An agent whose listings average 35–45 days is underperforming the market significantly — even if they eventually sell at close to asking price, the extended time on market costs you carrying costs and negotiating leverage.

What a strong answer looks like: A specific average DOM number that is at or below the local market average, with an explanation of why — typically a combination of accurate initial pricing and pre-market preparation that creates demand at launch.

Question 4: How Will You Price My Home — and What Data Supports That Price?

What this reveals: Strategy vs. flattery

This is where you separate agents who have a real pricing methodology from agents who will tell you what you want to hear to get the listing.

A strong agent will explain that pricing is based on sold comparables — not active listings, not what your neighbor thinks their home is worth, not what Zillow’s Zestimate says. They will walk you through the 3–5 most relevant sold homes in your area and explain how your home compares to each one in terms of condition, location, upgrades, and layout.

They will also explain the strategic risk of overpricing: homes that launch above market value lose the momentum of the first 7–10 days when buyer interest is highest. A price reduction after 30 days signals desperation and invites lowball offers. Overpricing is the single most common reason homes sit unsold in the San Gabriel Valley.

What a strong answer looks like: A CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) based on actual sold data, presented with clear reasoning for each adjustment. The agent should be able to defend the price with data — not just confidence.

What a weak answer looks like: An agent who immediately quotes a high number without showing you the data, or who adjusts their suggested price upward when they sense you want to hear a higher number. This is the most expensive mistake a seller can make.

Question 5: What Is Your Marketing Plan Beyond Putting It on the MLS?

What this reveals: Whether they create demand or just list homes

Every licensed agent can put your home on the MLS. That is the baseline. The question is what happens beyond that — and the answer matters enormously in the current market.

Buyers for your home exist in several pools simultaneously: active searchers on Zillow and Redfin, passive searchers who need to be reached through social media and email, international and out-of-area buyers who need to be reached through targeted channels, and buyers who are not yet actively searching but will be motivated by the right opportunity presented in the right way.

A strong marketing plan reaches all of these pools. It includes professional photography, a compelling property description, targeted social media promotion, email outreach to active buyer databases, and a launch strategy that creates urgency in the first 7–10 days.

The Reality of Most Listing Strategies:

The vast majority of agents follow the same passive process: enter the listing on the MLS, let it automatically syndicate to Zillow, Redfin, Realtor.com, and other public portals, send an email to their sphere of influence, post once on social media, and wait for buyers to find it. This is not a marketing strategy — it is a distribution strategy. It reaches only the buyers who are already actively searching. It does nothing to create urgency, generate competition, or reach buyers who are not yet in active search mode but could be motivated by the right opportunity presented the right way. Ask any agent you interview to explain specifically what they do beyond this baseline. If they cannot give you a clear answer, the baseline is all they do.

What a strong answer looks like: A specific, documented marketing plan with clear steps, timelines, and platforms. Ask to see examples of their previous listings — the photos, descriptions, and social media posts. The quality of their marketing on past listings tells you exactly what yours will look like.

What a weak answer looks like: “I put it on the MLS and Zillow and we’ll do an open house.” This is the minimum. If an agent cannot articulate what makes their marketing different, their marketing is probably not different.

Question 6: How Do You Communicate With Clients — and How Quickly Do You Respond?

What this reveals: Whether you will be kept in the dark or in the loop

Communication breakdown is the most common complaint sellers have about their agents. Not bad outcomes — bad communication. Sellers who do not hear from their agent for two weeks, who have to chase for showing feedback, who find out about price reduction conversations after the fact — these are avoidable frustrations that come from a mismatch in communication expectations.

Ask specifically:

  • How do you prefer to communicate — call, text, or email?
  • How quickly do you typically respond to messages?
  • How often will you update me on showing activity and feedback?
  • Who on your team will I be speaking with if you are unavailable?

What a strong answer looks like: Clear, specific commitments. “I text and call within two hours during business days. After each showing I share the feedback within 24 hours. Every week I send a summary of activity and market context.”

What a weak answer looks like: Vague assurances. “I always keep my clients informed” is not an answer. Ask for specifics.

Question 7: Do You Represent Both the Buyer and Seller in the Same Transaction?

What this reveals: Whether dual agency is a risk in your transaction

Dual agency — when the same agent represents both the buyer and the seller in the same transaction — is legal in California but creates an inherent conflict of interest. An agent cannot fully advocate for a seller’s highest price while simultaneously advocating for a buyer’s lowest price.

Ask the agent directly: if a buyer from their database wants to purchase your home, will they represent both sides? If so, how do they handle the conflict? Some agents will refer one party to another agent in their office. Others handle it themselves. Understanding this in advance prevents surprises during negotiation.

Question 8: How Do I Verify Your License and Review Your Actual Transaction History?

What this reveals: Transparency and nothing to hide

Any reputable agent should welcome this question. California real estate licenses are public record and searchable at dre.ca.gov. A valid, current license with no disciplinary history is a baseline requirement.

Beyond the license, ask to see their recent transaction history — specifically sales in your city or neighborhood in the past 12 months. A confident, experienced agent will have this information readily available. An agent who is reluctant to provide it is worth scrutinizing.

You can verify Jack Ma’s license directly: DRE #01869426 — Broker Associate, Century 21 Masters, Walnut CA 91789.

Question 9: What Makes You the Right Agent for My Specific Situation — Not Just in General?

What this reveals: Self-awareness and genuine fit

This is the most revealing question on the list — not because of what a good agent says, but because of what a weak agent says.

A weak agent will give you a generic answer about experience, reputation, and service. A strong agent will ask you a clarifying question first: “Tell me more about your situation — what matters most to you in this transaction?” Then they will connect their specific capabilities to your specific needs.

The agent who is right for a family who needs to sell in 30 days and move to another state is different from the agent who is right for a homeowner who wants to maximize net proceeds and is willing to wait for the right buyer. The agent who is right for a probate sale with out-of-area heirs is different from the agent who is right for a first-time seller in Brea who has never been through escrow.

The right agent for you knows the difference — and can explain specifically why they are the right fit for your situation.

🎯 The One Question That Separates Good Agents From Great Ones

Ask them: “Tell me about a transaction that did not go as planned — and what you did about it.”

Every experienced agent has had a transaction go sideways — an appraisal that came in low, a buyer who walked, a title issue that threatened closing, a seller who wanted to cancel mid-escrow. How an agent handled that situation tells you more about their real capability than any number of success stories. An agent who cannot recall a difficult transaction either has very little experience or is not being honest with you. An agent who can walk you through a challenge they navigated — calmly, specifically, with a clear outcome — is showing you exactly how they will handle your transaction when something goes sideways.

Question 10: What Percentage of Your Clients Are Buyers Versus Sellers?

What this reveals: Where their expertise and loyalties lie

This question tells you a lot about who an agent really serves. An agent who works 80% buyers and 20% sellers thinks differently about the market than one who is primarily a listing agent. Neither is wrong — but knowing which you are hiring matters.

A primarily seller-focused agent has deep experience with pricing strategy, listing preparation, marketing execution, and negotiation from the seller’s side. They have navigated dozens of inspections, appraisals, and buyer objections. They know what makes a listing competitive and what kills momentum.

A primarily buyer-focused agent knows how to find inventory, evaluate value, write competitive offers, and navigate the buyer side of escrow. They think about monthly payments, comparables from a buyer’s perspective, and how to win in a multiple-offer situation.

What a strong answer looks like: Honesty about the split — and a clear explanation of how their experience on both sides benefits you specifically. An agent with balanced experience on both sides understands the full transaction dynamic, which makes them a stronger negotiator on your behalf regardless of which side they are representing.

What a weak answer looks like: “I work with everyone.” Ask for a specific percentage. It reveals where they actually spend their time.

Question 11: Do You Know the Current Absorption Rate — Right Now, for My City?

What this reveals: Whether they track data or just have opinions

The absorption rate is one of the most important numbers in real estate — and most homeowners have never heard of it. It measures how many months it would take to sell all current active listings at the current pace of sales. Under 3 months is a seller’s market. 3–6 months is balanced. Over 6 months favors buyers.

Asking an agent this question in your first conversation immediately separates agents who track real data from agents who operate on gut feel and general impressions. A local specialist should know this number — for your specific city — without hesitation.

Current Data Point: As of May 2026, the absorption rate across the tri-county border area — Diamond Bar, Walnut, Chino Hills, Brea, Yorba Linda, Rowland Heights, and La Habra — is approximately 2.1 months. That is firmly in seller’s market territory. Any agent working this market actively should know this number — or a number very close to it.

What a strong answer looks like: A specific number with context. “Right now we are at about 2.1 months of supply in Diamond Bar, which means correctly priced homes are moving in 12–14 days and sellers have leverage. Walnut is slightly slower at 178 days expected market time because of the price point.”

What a weak answer looks like: “It’s a seller’s market right now.” That is a general impression, not data. Push for specifics.

Question 12: How Many Homes Have You Sold in Your Career — and What Types?

What this reveals: Depth of real-world transaction experience

Career transaction volume is not the only measure of an agent — but it is a meaningful one. An agent with 300+ closed transactions has navigated nearly every scenario the market can produce: failed appraisals, buyer defaults, title issues, dual agency conflicts, probate complications, trust sales, inspection disputes, and escalation clause negotiations. An agent with 30 transactions has not.

The right number is not fixed — a newer agent with 50 transactions who is deeply embedded in your specific neighborhood and works full time may outperform a veteran agent with 500 transactions who is coasting and barely available. But career volume gives you a baseline sense of experience depth.

What a strong answer looks like: A specific number the agent states with confidence, along with context about the types of transactions — residential, investment, probate, multi-unit — that make up that history.

What a weak answer looks like: Vague answers like “a lot” or “hundreds.” An agent who has closed 300+ homes knows the number. An agent who cannot tell you probably has not closed nearly as many as they want you to think.

Question 13: Are You a Full-Time Agent or Do You Have Another Job?

What this reveals: Whether your transaction is their priority

This question makes some agents uncomfortable — which is exactly why you should ask it.

Approximately 20–30% of licensed real estate agents in California are part time. They have another job, another career, or treat real estate as a side income. There is nothing wrong with that from a licensing perspective. But if you are selling a $1,200,000 home in Diamond Bar and your agent is unavailable on Tuesday afternoons because of their other job, that availability gap can cost you a showing, an offer, or a negotiation response that needed to happen in 24 hours.

A full-time agent is available when the market requires it. In a fast-moving spring market where homes receive offers in 48–72 hours and counters need responses the same day, availability is not a nice-to-have. It is a competitive requirement.

What a strong answer looks like: “Full time — this is my only career.” Optionally followed by context about their availability and response time commitments.

What a weak answer looks like: Hesitation, qualification, or “I am very responsive even though I also [other job].” The hesitation is the answer.

Question 14: Do You Have a Team — and Who Will Actually Handle My Transaction?

What this reveals: Who will actually be handling your transaction

Many successful agents operate as a team — with buyer’s agents, listing coordinators, transaction coordinators, and assistants supporting the lead agent. This can be a significant advantage: more coverage, faster response times, specialized expertise at each stage of the transaction.

But it also raises a critical question: Who will you actually be working with day to day?

Some team structures mean the lead agent — the person you interviewed and whose name is on the sign — will hand your transaction to a team member you have never met after the listing agreement is signed. You deserve to know this upfront.

What a strong answer looks like: Clear transparency about the team structure and exactly who handles what. “I have a transaction coordinator who manages paperwork and timelines, and I personally handle all pricing, negotiation, and client communication.” Or: “I have showing agents who cover weekend tours, but I am always the primary contact for offers and decisions.”

What a weak answer looks like: “Don’t worry, you’ll be taken care of.” That is not an answer. Ask specifically: who will I call when I have a question? Who writes and presents my offers? Who attends my inspections?

Question 15: What Other Languages Do You Speak — and How Does That Expand My Buyer Pool?

What this reveals: Their ability to reach the full buyer pool for your home

In the San Gabriel Valley and North Orange County, this question is not a formality — it is a competitive advantage.

The tri-county border area has one of the largest Mandarin-speaking buyer and investor populations in Southern California. Buyers relocating from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other Mandarin-speaking markets actively seek homes in Diamond Bar, Walnut, Chino Hills, Brea, and Yorba Linda specifically because of school district quality, community composition, and proximity to established Mandarin-speaking communities.

An agent who can communicate directly with these buyers — in their language, understanding their cultural context and decision-making process — reaches a segment of the market that an English-only agent simply cannot access at the same depth. That expanded buyer pool creates more competition for your home. More competition means stronger offers.

What a strong answer looks like: Specific languages with genuine fluency — not just “I know a few words.” Jack Ma is fully bilingual in English and Mandarin, which directly expands the buyer pool for every listing in this market.

What a weak answer looks like: “I have clients who can translate.” That is a workaround, not a capability. It creates friction at exactly the moments — offer negotiation, inspection discussions, escrow coordination — where clarity matters most.

How Do You Score an Agent? The Complete Red Flag vs. Elite Indicator Matrix

Use this reference table during or after your interviews to score each agent objectively before making your decision.

Category 🔴 Red Flag 🟢 Elite Indicator
Pricing strategy Quotes high price to get the listing — no data to support it Presents CMA from sold comparables, explains every adjustment
List-to-sold ratio Can’t give a number or deflects the question States specific number (ideally 100%+) and can show documentation
Marketing plan MLS + Zillow + open house + “tell my sphere” — and that’s it Specific documented plan with platforms, timelines, and proof of past execution
Neighborhood vs. marketing specialist Vague answer covering both without distinguishing their actual approach Clear self-awareness about their type — and why it fits your specific property
Absorption rate knowledge “It’s a seller’s market” with no specific data States current months of supply for your specific city without hesitation
Full time vs. part time Hesitation, qualification, or mention of another job “Full time — this is my only career” stated without hesitation
Buyer vs. seller split “I work with everyone” with no specifics Specific percentage with explanation of how their experience benefits you
Team structure “You’ll be taken care of” without saying who does what Clear explanation of exactly who handles each part of the transaction
Languages spoken “I have clients who can translate” Specific fluent languages that directly expand buyer pool for your market
Difficult transaction story Only success stories — no memory of anything going wrong Specific challenge, clear action taken, and honest outcome
Career volume “A lot” or vague answer Specific number stated with confidence and transaction type context

Score each agent on these 11 categories during your interview. The agent who can answer the most of these with specific, documented answers is the agent most prepared to serve your interests.

What Should You Do After You Interview Two or Three Agents?

After interviewing two or three agents, compare them on the objective metrics first — local sales volume, list-to-sold ratio, days on market. These numbers cut through personality and presentation and show you actual performance.

Then consider fit. You will be working closely with this person through one of the most significant financial transactions of your life. Communication style, responsiveness, and genuine understanding of your situation matter alongside the numbers.

If you also want to understand your options for selling quickly regardless of season, our fast home sale guide for the San Gabriel Valley covers every approach. Before you sign a listing agreement, also check:

  • Their CalDRE license at dre.ca.gov
  • Google reviews — look for patterns, not just overall rating
  • Zillow and Realtor.com agent profiles — recent reviews and recent sales
  • Whether they have specific experience with your situation — probate, investment property, downsizing, multi-generational home

If you want to understand how timing your sale by season can impact your results, or want a free net proceeds analysis before you make any decision — both are available on this site.

Free — No Obligation — 15 Minutes

Interview Jack Ma — Ask Him These Questions Directly

Every question in this guide is one Jack welcomes. His list-to-sold ratio, local transaction history, marketing plan, and communication approach are all transparent and verifiable. If you are interviewing agents in Diamond Bar, Walnut, Chino Hills, Brea, Yorba Linda, Rowland Heights, or La Habra — include this call in your process.

📅 Book a Free 15-Min Call
📞 909.610.5188

Jack Ma | REALTOR® | DRE #01869426 | Century 21 Masters | Serving Diamond Bar, Walnut, Chino Hills, Brea, Yorba Linda, Rowland Heights, La Habra & North Orange County

🏠 What Is Your Home Worth Right Now?

Before you interview agents, know your number. Get a free home valuation based on current sold comparables in your city.

Free — no obligation — takes less than 60 seconds

About Jack Ma — REALTOR® | DRE #01869426

Jack Ma is a licensed Broker Associate with Century 21 Masters (DRE #01869426) with 15+ years serving the tri-county border area of Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino County. 300+ homes sold. 101.9% list-to-sold ratio in 2026. Specializing in Diamond Bar, Walnut, Chino Hills, Brea, Yorba Linda, Rowland Heights, and La Habra. Bilingual English and Mandarin. 909.610.5188 | [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions

What questions should I ask a real estate agent before hiring them?

The most important questions: Are you a neighborhood specialist or a marketing specialist — and which fits my home? What is your list-to-sold price ratio? What is your average days on market? How will you price my home and what data supports that? What is your marketing plan beyond the MLS? How do you communicate and how often? Can I verify your license and transaction history?

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

Look for: 100%+ list-to-sold ratio, average days on market at or below local average, verifiable sales history in your specific city, clear marketing strategy beyond basic MLS listing, and consistent positive reviews across Google, Zillow, and Yelp. Verify their license at dre.ca.gov.

Should I interview multiple real estate agents before choosing one?

Yes — interview at least two to three. The agent who quotes the highest price is not always the best choice. Compare list-to-sold ratios, local transaction history, and marketing plans. A realistic pricing strategy based on current sold comparables will outperform an inflated price that leads to extended days on market.

What is a good list-to-sold price ratio?

100% or above means listings sell at or above asking price. The LA County MLS average is 99.2% in 2026. An agent consistently above 100% demonstrates strong pricing and marketing. Jack Ma’s 2026 year-to-date ratio is 101.9% — nearly 3 points above market average.

How do I verify a real estate agent’s license in California?

Search at dre.ca.gov by name or license number. A valid license should show as current with no disciplinary actions. Jack Ma’s DRE license number is 01869426, licensed as a Broker Associate with Century 21 Masters.


This guide is for general informational purposes. Real estate agent performance metrics vary by market and time period. Always verify claims with documentation and conduct your own due diligence before hiring any real estate professional. Jack Ma | REALTOR® | DRE #01869426 | Century 21 Masters | Serving the tri-county border area of Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino County.

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[CAPTION2]📈 One question most sellers never ask their agent: “What is your list-to-sold price ratio?” The LA County MLS average is 99.2%. Ask for a number. If they can’t give you one — that’s your answer. [URL] #SanGabrielValley #HomeSelling #RealEstateTips[/CAPTION2]
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