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
Charter Member✓ VerifiedReal Estate Agent
Panama City Beach, FL850-943-7777
We are a media company that sells real estate.
Derek Tye
Charter Member✓ VerifiedReal Estate Agent
Loveland, OH513-549-7469
Luxury Homes, Investment Properties and more! Call Derek
Rebecca Geiger
✓ VerifiedReal Estate Agent
Fort Myers, FL239-990-7997
SWFLrebecca — Your Guide to SW Florida Living
Jeff Lewis
✓ VerifiedReal Estate Agent
Tampa, FL813-390-0860
Real Estate Agent | Tampa, FL
Tom Hennessy
✓ VerifiedReal Estate Agent
Lone Tree, CO720-226-7200
Real Estate Agent | Castle Rock, CO
Theresa Catanese
✓ VerifiedReal Estate Agent
Evansville, IN812-454-0989
Catherine Dawes
Real Estate Agent
Cincinnati, OH513-453-7885
Cincinnati, OH Realtor |Maximizing Value through Informed Strategy, High-Impact Marketing and Relationship Centered Approach.
Shanna Pope
Real Estate Agent
Cincinnati, OH513-310-8579
The Pope of Real Estate
Jessyca McDaniel Reynolds
Real Estate Agent
Southern Virginia, VA434-250-2999
Jonathan Price
Real Estate Agent
Lawrenceburg, IN513-484-1415
Melinda Robinson
Real Estate Agent
Allendale, MI
Missy Bricking
Real Estate Agent
Burlington, KY859-240-7832
Jim Walsh
Real Estate Agent
MN507-343-1231
Steve Lowery
Real Estate Agent
IL815-297-7087
Chrissy Ward
Real Estate Agent
Naples, FL
Real Estate Agent | Naples, FL
Joshua Montgomery
Real Estate Agent
Sarasota, FL
Real Estate Agent | Sarasota, FL
Tae Owens
Real Estate Agent
Atlanta, GA678-952-3641
Real Estate Agent | Atlanta, GA
Thomas March
Real Estate Agent
Sacramento, CA916-529-5342
Real Estate Agent | Sacramento, CA
Vicki Westapher
Real Estate Agent
Colorado Springs, CO719-440-0514
Real Estate Agent | Colorado Springs, CO
Terri Chase
Real Estate Agent
Dallas, TX214-399-3319
Real Estate Agent | Dallas, TX
Winslow Lee
Real Estate Agent
Phoenix, AZ425-681-7695
Real Estate Agent | Phoenix, AZ
Stacey Collins
Real Estate Agent
Los Angeles, CA310-920-3496
Real Estate Agent | Los Angeles, CA
Tara Coyle
Real Estate Agent
Sacramento, CA916-761-8201
Real Estate Agent | Sacramento, CA
Zach Jones
Real Estate Agent
Fort Smith, AR479-340-4958
Real Estate Agent | Fort Smith, AR
Sheila Bowles
Real Estate Agent
Greenwood, IN765-318-8339
Real Estate Agent | Greenwood, IN
Shay Trask
Real Estate Agent
Naples, FL239-434-2558
Real Estate Agent | Naples, FL
Sheryl Washington
Real Estate Agent
Atlanta, GA678-613-1414
Real Estate Agent | Atlanta, GA
Peter Mendez
Real Estate Agent
Diamond Bar, CA626-786-5487
Real Estate Agent | Diamond Bar, CA
Shannon Harvey
Real Estate Agent
Port St Lucie, FL(2772) 252-5037
Real Estate Agent | Port St Lucie, FL
Sarah Mairs
Real Estate Agent
Wellington, New Zealand(6427) 247-4375
Real Estate Agent | Wellington, New Zealand
Sharon Gilson
Real Estate Agent
Hartford, CT860-485-8844
Real Estate Agent | Hartford, CT
Rhonda Garred
Real Estate Agent
New Plymouth, ID208-922-8470
Real Estate Agent | New Plymouth, ID
Nicole Bienvenu
Real Estate Agent
Diamond Bar, LA985-237-4688
Real Estate Agent | Diamond Bar, LA
Rob Hood
Real Estate Agent
St Louis, MO314-782-0597
Real Estate Agent | St Louis, MO
Nada Grastorf
Real Estate Agent
Wellsville, NY716-498-3815
Real Estate Agent | Wellsville, NY
Sandra Fader
Real Estate Agent
Fort Lauderdale, FL954-822-1326
Real Estate Agent | Fort Lauderdale, FL
Nereida Tannerr
Real Estate Agent
New Braunfels, TX830-708-9189
Real Estate Agent | New Braunfels, TX
Sandy Bond
Real Estate Agent
Tulsa, OK918-948-5251
Real Estate Agent | Tulsa, OK
Nicole Elliott
Real Estate Agent
Florence, KY859-322-7632
Real Estate Agent | Florence, KY
Myra Alicea
Real Estate Agent
West Palm Beach, FL561-222-0604
Real Estate Agent | West Palm Beach, FL
Meghann Kozma
Real Estate Agent
Southgate, MI734-301-1752
Real Estate Agent | Southgate, MI
Michelle Barre
Real Estate Agent
San Antonio, TX210-289-1346
Real Estate Agent | San Antonio, TX
Mark Gleason
Real Estate Agent
West Michagan, MI
Real Estate Agent | West Michagan, MI
Marty Johnson
Real Estate Agent
Metro Detroit, MI586-443-8530
Real Estate Agent | Metro Detroit, MI
Laura Draeger-Ingram
Real Estate Agent
Scottsdale, AZ480-205-4855
Real Estate Agent | Scottsdale, AZ
Michelle Jackson
Real Estate Agent
Norfolk, VA757-255-8162
Real Estate Agent | Norfolk, VA
Marianne Gibbs
Real Estate Agent
Batavia, OH
Real Estate Agent | Batavia, OH
Megan Popp
Real Estate Agent
Dayton, OH614-551-3014
Real Estate Agent | Dayton, OH
Lisa Mcneil
Real Estate Agent
Mesa, AZ480-297-8248
Real Estate Agent | Mesa, AZ
Lisa Sparks
Real Estate Agent
Lakeland, FL863-808-8745
Real Estate Agent | Lakeland, FL
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.
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