What questions should I ask before hiring an agent?

Start by asking how many transactions an agent has closed in the specific town you care about, not just metro-wide, since a general number hides whether they actually know that market. Ask how they handle a dual or designated agency situation, what their marketing plan looks like beyond MLS syndication, and how often they will actually communicate with you during a transaction. Joel Boss answers all of these directly and specifically for whichever of his twelve towns you're asking about.