How to Choose a Real Estate Agent
The right agent can save you tens of thousands of dollars. Here’s how to find one you can trust.
Featured Real Estate Agents
John "Mr.Beach" Arroyo
SponsoredPaid placement✓ VerifiedReal Estate Agent
Panama City Beach, FL850-943-7777
I run the largest relocation youtube channel on the Emerald Coast. In the past 6 months we have sold 26 units to out of town buyers.
Derek Tye
SponsoredPaid placement✓ VerifiedReal Estate Agent
Loveland, OH513-549-7469
Luxury Homes, Investment Properties and more! Call Derek
Theresa Catanese
✓ VerifiedReal Estate Agent
Evansville, IN(812) 454-0989
Derek Lee
Real Estate Agent
OH513-444-5555
Rosalyn Miller
Real Estate Agent
Columbus, OH(614) 598-0801
Justin Jordan
Real Estate Agent
Bonita Springs, FL(239) 287-1371
Joyce Mennella
Real Estate Agent
Cold Spring Harbor, NY
David Shiling
Real Estate Agent
Boca Raton, FL(561) 797-8606
Laura Ingram
Real Estate Agent
Scottsdale, AZ
Dominic Brescia
Real Estate Agent
Tampa, FL(914) 552-4809
Megan Mull
Real Estate Agent
Orlando, FL(513) 518-4889
Tom Lewis
Real Estate Agent
Panama City Beach, FL(850) 896-6939
Emily Kelly
Real Estate Agent
Atlanta, GA(770) 814-2300
Katie Brown
Real Estate Agent
Fort Wayne, IN
John Scalia
Real Estate Agent
Lighthouse Point, FL
Sherry Williams
Real Estate Agent
Weston, FL
Erica Sturtze
Real Estate Agent
Boca Raton, FL(561) 909-8408
Sarah LaPeer
Real Estate Agent
Inlet Beach, FL
Karena Caputo
Real Estate Agent
Tampa, FL
Shari Reynolds
Real Estate Agent
Fort Mitchell, KY
Janet Shawen
Real Estate Agent
Englewood, FL(941) 882-2398
Peter Benedicto
Real Estate Agent
Las Vegas, NV
Nicole Elliot
Real Estate Agent
Cincinnati, OH859-322-7632
The J Team Real Estate
Real Estate Agent
Casper, WY(307) 262-1648
HIGHMARK Real Estate of Keller Williams
Real Estate Agent
Milwaukee, WI(414) 219-9090
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Central
Real Estate Agent
Huntington, WV(304) 201-7653
Dallaire Realty
Real Estate Agent
Green Bay, WI(920) 569-0827
Mistie Woods, Realtor - #1 Properties
Real Estate Agent
Cheyenne, WY(307) 214-7055
MHB Real Estate
Real Estate Agent
Madison, WI(608) 709-9886
Every Door Real Estate
Real Estate Agent
Seattle, WA(206) 222-0531
RexMont Real Estate
Real Estate Agent
Bellevue, WA(425) 217-5630
Selling WV Real Estate Professionals
Real Estate Agent
Charleston, WV(304) 415-4999
WEBREALTY Team
Real Estate Agent
Olympia, WA(360) 701-9131
The Legacy Group Real Estate
Real Estate Agent
Spokane, WA(509) 213-0437
Mission Realty | Brokered by REAL
Real Estate Agent
Richmond, VA(804) 601-4960
Cone Realty Group at LPT Realty - Hal Cone
Real Estate Agent
Roanoke, VA(540) 900-1546
Ridgeline Real Estate Company
Real Estate Agent
Montpelier, VT(802) 540-1366
Realtor CoVA Collective Realty Team - Keller Williams Coastal Virginia
Real Estate Agent
Virginia Beach, VA(757) 828-7065
Fox Homes Team
Real Estate Agent
Arlington, VA(703) 927-1461
The Stern Team
Real Estate Agent
Salt Lake City, UT(385) 293-3755
Vermont Real Estate Company
Real Estate Agent
Burlington, VT(802) 540-8300
The Agency Frisco
Real Estate Agent
Frisco, TX(469) 971-3464
Red Sign Real Estate Team
Real Estate Agent
Provo, UT(801) 733-7446
Bryan Burnett - Century 21 Realty
Real Estate Agent
St. George, UT(435) 708-3737
Reside Real Estate LLC
Real Estate Agent
Fort Worth, TX(817) 484-4345
JBGoodwin REALTORS®, San Antonio
Real Estate Agent
San Antonio, TX(210) 581-9050
Templeton Real Estate Group
Real Estate Agent
Dallas, TX(972) 677-3991
THE REAL McCOYS® INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE GROUP
Real Estate Agent
Plano, TX(972) 567-3813
Realty Austin Compass - Central
Real Estate Agent
Austin, TX(512) 241-1300
Properties by Jess
Real Estate Agent
Pierre, SD(605) 222-4224
Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people ever make. A great agent brings local market knowledge, negotiation skill, and transaction management that protects your money and your time. A bad one costs you both. The difference between a top-performing agent and an average one often shows up in final sale price, days on market, and how much stress you carry through closing day.
What to Look for in a Real Estate Agent
- 1
Local market knowledge
They should know your specific neighborhood — not just the metro area. Ask about recent sales within a mile of your target.
- 2
Transaction volume
An agent doing 15–30+ transactions per year stays sharp on contracts, negotiation tactics, and market shifts. Under 5 per year is a red flag.
- 3
Communication style
Before you hire them, pay attention to how quickly they respond and whether they answer your actual question or give a canned response.
- 4
Negotiation track record
Ask for their list-to-sale ratio. Good listing agents consistently close within 97–100% of asking price. Good buyer agents get meaningful concessions.
- 5
Professional network
The best agents have trusted lenders, inspectors, contractors, and attorneys they work with regularly — which means faster, smoother closings for you.
- 6
Marketing plan (sellers)
If you’re selling, they should have a specific plan: professional photos, staging guidance, pricing strategy, and digital marketing — not just an MLS listing.
- 7
Fiduciary duty understanding
They should be able to explain agency relationships clearly and tell you exactly who they represent in the transaction.
- 8
Reviews and references
Online reviews matter, but also ask for 2–3 recent client references you can actually call. Ask those clients what almost went wrong.
Questions to Ask Before You Hire
- How many transactions did you close in the last 12 months?
- What’s your average list-to-sale price ratio?
- How will you communicate with me and how often?
- What’s your specific marketing plan for my home?
- Can you give me three recent client references?
- What happens if I’m not happy with our agreement?
- Do you work with a team, and if so, who will I actually be working with?
Red Flags to Watch For
- They can’t name recent comparable sales in your area without looking them up
- They pressure you to sign a long-term exclusive agreement on the first meeting
- They suggest an unrealistically high listing price just to win the listing
- They’re hard to reach before you’ve signed — it only gets worse after
- They have no online reviews or won’t provide references
- They discourage you from getting a home inspection
- They’re a part-time agent with another full-time career
What Does It Typically Cost?
Most agents are paid a commission based on the sale price, typically negotiated between the seller and their agent. Buyer agent compensation varies by market and agreement. Always discuss compensation structure upfront — it should never be a surprise at closing.
Are You a Real Estate Agent?
If you are in the top 10% in your industry and want to be found in internet searches on and off this platform, claim your profile below.
Claim Your Profile →