How to Choose a Realtor

The agent you pick will guide the biggest financial decision of your life. Here are 7 questions every buyer and seller should ask before signing a representation agreement — plus red flags that tell you to walk away.

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7 Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Realtor

1. How many transactions did you close in the past 12 months?

Look for at least 12-15 transactions per year. Fewer than 6 may indicate a part-time agent who lacks current market experience. More than 50 could mean you'll be handed off to an assistant. The sweet spot is an agent who's active enough to know the market but not too busy to give you attention.

2. How well do you know this specific neighborhood?

A great agent in one area might be useless in another. Ask how many homes they've sold in your target neighborhood, what the current average days-on-market is, and what the price-per-square-foot trends look like. Local expertise directly impacts your negotiating position.

3. What's your communication style and response time?

Mismatched communication is the number-one complaint buyers have about their agents. Clarify whether they prefer calls, texts, or email. Ask how quickly they respond — same day should be the minimum. In a competitive market, a slow agent costs you the house.

4. Do you work full-time in real estate?

Part-time agents may not be available when a new listing drops or when you need to submit an offer quickly. Full-time agents are more likely to catch new inventory first, schedule showings promptly, and be available on evenings and weekends when most real estate activity happens.

5. Can you provide references from recent clients?

Any confident agent will happily share 3-5 references from the past 6 months. Call them. Ask if the agent was responsive, honest about pricing, skilled at negotiation, and whether they'd use them again. Online reviews help but direct references are more revealing.

6. What's your approach to negotiation?

You want an agent who negotiates assertively but professionally. Ask for a specific example of a tough negotiation they won for a client. Avoid agents who say they "never have problems" — that usually means they cave on price to close deals faster.

7. What does your marketing plan look like? (For sellers)

A listing agent should detail professional photography, virtual tours, MLS syndication, social media advertising, open house strategy, and their network of buyer agents. If their plan is "put it on Zillow and wait," keep looking.

Buyer's Agent vs. Listing Agent

A buyer's agent represents you as the purchaser. They search for properties, schedule showings, write offers, negotiate repairs, and guide you through closing. A listing agent represents the seller — their job is to get the highest price possible. Never use the listing agent as your buyer's agent (called "dual agency") because they can't fully advocate for both sides.

Red Flags to Watch For

How to Verify Credentials

Every state has a real estate commission website where you can look up an agent's active license status and any disciplinary actions. Check designations like CRS (Certified Residential Specialist), ABR (Accredited Buyer's Representative), or SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) — these require additional training and experience. Also verify their Realtor membership through the National Association of Realtors if they use the Realtor title.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What questions should I ask a realtor before hiring them?
Ask about their experience in your area, how many transactions they closed last year, their communication style and availability, whether they work full-time, their marketing plan (for sellers), their negotiation approach, and whether they can provide references from recent clients.
What is the difference between a buyer's agent and a listing agent?
A buyer's agent represents you as the purchaser, helping you find homes, negotiate offers, and navigate inspections. A listing agent represents the seller, marketing the property and negotiating on the seller's behalf. Always use your own agent — never rely on the listing agent to represent both sides.
What are red flags when choosing a realtor?
Watch for agents who pressure you to make quick decisions, are hard to reach or slow to respond, discourage inspections, lack local market knowledge, have no recent transaction history, push you above your budget, or won't provide references.
How do I verify a realtor's credentials?
Check your state's real estate commission website to verify their active license and any disciplinary actions. Look up their profile on Realtor.com or Zillow for reviews. Confirm specialty designations like CRS, ABR, or SRES through the issuing organization.