Updated September 29, 2026. By Vikas Shah, CA DRE #02235333 | 408-650-3463
Choose an agent by the quality of the proposed work and the clarity of the agreement. Interview two or three candidates with the same property or buyer brief, then compare the evidence and service commitments side by side.
Use a consistent scorecard
| Area | Ask for | Score 0–2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relevant analysis | Three recent comparable sales and reasons for inclusion/exclusion | 0 absent; 1 generic; 2 specific and supported |
| Service scope | Who handles tours, disclosures, negotiation and closing coordination | Same scale |
| Communication | Normal response time, backup contact and urgent escalation | Same scale |
| Risk discussion | One reason you should walk away from the proposed deal | Same scale |
| Written terms | Services, term, compensation, cancellation and exclusivity | Same scale |
Total the five scores out of 10 and keep the underlying notes. This is a buyer-created comparison method, not a professional rating or a guarantee. A confident presentation earns no extra credit unless it answers the question.
For buyers: ask for the rejected properties
A useful sample shortlist should explain why a home was excluded: payment above budget, unverified parking, an unsuitable floor plan or a commute that does not work. Ask how the agent will handle new disclosures, an appraisal below price and a lender delay before you remove contingencies.
Example: you have $320,000 total cash and want to retain $50,000. A $1.2 million purchase with 20% down and $24,000 closing/prepaid allowance uses $264,000, leaving $56,000. A further $25,000 appraisal-gap requirement would reduce cash to $31,000. The agent should surface that conflict, not simply encourage a stronger offer.
For sellers: compare the net and the preparation plan
Ask each candidate to separate repairs, cosmetic preparation, photography, staging and marketing. For every proposed expense, identify who pays, when it is due, whether cancellation changes the obligation and how the work supports the pricing plan. Do not compare a full-service proposal with a narrower service package as if they were identical.
A pricing presentation should distinguish sold comparables from active competition and explain why a higher-priced sale does or does not fit your home. Ask what would trigger a pricing review after launch: qualified feedback, competing inventory or a lack of offers—not an unsupported promise to sell above asking.
Read the agreement before deciding
- Who is the contracting brokerage and who is your day-to-day contact?
- What area, property type and time period does the agreement cover?
- What compensation is negotiated, and under what conditions is it payable?
- What happens if the other party offers a different compensation amount?
- How can the agreement end, and what obligations survive termination?
A useful final interview question
“What would you need to learn about my situation before recommending that I buy or sell?” A thoughtful answer should ask about affordability, timing, alternatives and risk tolerance. A recommendation made before those facts are known is not yet a tailored plan.
Sources and contact
California DRE consumer resources provide independent guidance for selecting and working with a licensee. Interview Vikas Shah using this same scorecard. Current brokerage is Doorlight Inc., CA DRE #02219383; the older brokerage wording remains only in this page’s historical URL.
Related guides and next steps
- mortgage calculator
- property valuation tool
- California home-buying process
- Milpitas home buyer guide
- Vikas Shah's current contact and consultation guide
Discuss your property, budget and timing with Vikas Shah, CA DRE #02235333, FindBayHomes | Doorlight Inc., CA DRE #02219383. Call 408-650-3463 or email vikas@findbayhomes.com. Calculations and online valuation tools are estimates, not loan approvals or guaranteed sale prices.
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