The Best Question to Ask a Recruiting Prospect

by | Jun 24, 2026

Tom Ferry tells agents to ask every potential buyer this question:

How long are you planning on living in this home?

This question might not have crossed their minds before, but once you ask it, they’ll start thinking about their future in terms of this home.

A similar question will likely get your recruiting prospects to consider a move, as well.

How long do you plan on being with your current broker?

We all know that most agents change brokers several times during their careers.

And these changes are typically initiated when an agent outgrows the value proposition of their current broker.

Assuming a change is coming and asking about a possible timeline is a non-threatening way to get the conversation going.

It positions you as a coach who’s helping them navigate the inevitable changes that every agent faces.

 

The Simple Psychology of Real Estate Recruiting [2nd Edition]

Unlock the secrets of effective real estate recruiting. Revised to include actionable frameworks for sharper execution and to help you turn psychological theory into a repeatable recruiting system.

The Attrition Constants

The Attrition Constants

If you’re not focusing most of your retention effort on these issues, you’ll miss the mark. If you’re not focusing most of your recruiting effort on exploiting these weaknesses among your competitors, you’re missing the best opportunities.

The Persistence Mindset

The Persistence Mindset

A leader equipped with this mindset can have a profound effect on the life and career of each individual they engage. It works because an agent is getting a real-time glimpse of what it would be like to work on your team. But it only becomes believable when it is persistently applied over time.