By Danny Stansbury, Stansbury Homes · First-Time Buyers · Nov 12, 2026 · 3 min read
7 questions to ask any agent
- How many first-time buyers have you helped, and can I talk to one?
- Will I work with you, or be handed to someone else?
- How fast do you answer calls and texts?
- Can you walk me through every cost before I sign anything?
- What's in your written buyer agreement, and what's negotiable? (NAR consumer guide to written buyer agreements)
- How well do you know Excelsior Springs, Kearney, Liberty, and Smithville?
- Which lenders do first-time buyers you've worked with use, and do any offer Missouri MHDC programs?
Red flags
- Pressure to sign before they've answered your questions
- Vague answers about costs
- Big claims you can't check
How to check an agent yourself
- Look up their license on the Missouri Real Estate Commission's licensee search (linked on my success stories page)
- Read their Google reviews
- Ask for recent transactions
How I work with first-time buyers
You work directly with me. I explain the costs up front, use the Buyer Readiness Score and mortgage calculator to set a comfortable budget, and help you compare towns honestly. Start at the first-time buyer hub.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find a good first-time home buyer agent in Excelsior Springs?
Interview two or three agents. Ask how often they work with first-time buyers, how they communicate, what's in their buyer agreement, and check their license and reviews yourself.
Do I have to pay a buyer's agent?
Compensation is negotiable and set in your written buyer agreement. You can ask the seller to pay some or all of it as part of your offer.
Does a first-time buyer need an agent?
It isn't required, but a good agent helps with pricing, contracts, deadlines, and inspections, which is where first-time buyers most often lose money.
Buying your first home? Let's talk it through.
No pressure and nothing to sign on the first call. Just a straight conversation about your timeline, your budget, and the kind of home you want.