What Questions Should You Be Asking at the Start of a Relationship to Make Sure It Lasts?

Love, as the poets say, is a very fickle thing.

But! According to one of our favorite "Shark Tank" Sharks, Barbara Corcoran, it needn't be.

Ahead of the launch of her new advice podcast, "888-Barbara" — and yes, that's the actual hotline number you can use to ask Barbara advice! — the real-estate guru stopped by our studio to offer a sneak peek at the kind of tips she'll be dishing out on her show. 

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And the first question she received was one for the ages.

Specifically: What questions should I be asking at the start of a relationship for longevity?

Well, Barbara didn't miss a beat on that one! According to the small-screen star, if you're looking for a serious relationship, these are the three questions you need to be asking upfront:

1. Do you want to get married?
2. Do you want to have kids?
3. And can you pay for the wedding?

(That last one made our audience LOL, but she wasn't entirely kidding!) 

That said, while Barbara (obviously!) condones being upfront, she cautions: "Romance has nothing to do with a job interview."

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If you have strict criteria, she says, the first thing you need to do is, "assess who you're dating in the first place. Chances are you're barking up the wrong tree, so to speak."

And don't be afraid to get a second opinion. Barbara encourages girls to bring their best friend along on the second date, that way she can tell you when the guy in question is maybe not the best match — or when you're passing over one who is!