How to Choose a REALTOR®
Choosing a REALTOR® is a lot like dating. You’re looking for someone who gets your style, shares your goals, and makes the buying or selling process feel less overwhelming.
No matter if you’re buying your first home, selling to start fresh, or investing in a rental property, you need someone who knows the market and gets you. Your REALTOR® is your advocate, your guide, and sometimes your voice of reason when emotions run high.
There’s a good agent, and then there’s the right agent. When you’re talking thousands of dollars, weeks of stress, and one of life’s biggest milestones, good isn’t good enough.
So how do you find that special someone? We’ve learned that agent-client relationships just click when there’s a genuine match in communication styles, personalities, and approach. With that in mind, here are our tips for finding a match made for the closing table.
1. Know Your Needs Before You Start Looking
Before you start calling agents or hitting up friends for referrals, do yourself a favor and make it clear what you’re looking for. Sure, you want to buy or sell a home. But there’s more to it than that.
Start with your timeline. Are you in a rush because you’ve already bought a home, or do you have the luxury of being picky? Are you hoping to close before the school year starts, or can you wait for the perfect opportunity? Your timeline impacts everything, from pricing strategy to how aggressive you need to be with offers.
Communication Preferences
Consider your preferred communication style. Some people want daily updates on market activity and showing feedback, while others prefer weekly updates unless something urgent comes up. There’s no right or wrong preference, but you’ll know when your styles are misaligned. Think about how you like to receive information: Do you prefer detailed emails you can reference later, or quick phone calls to talk through decisions?
Your experience level is another key factor. First-time buyers often need more explanation and guidance. Experienced investors usually just want someone to get the transaction done. Know which camp you’re in—many agents have a sweet spot.
Personality Type
Finally, how do you handle stress? Real estate transactions are notoriously stressful, with inspections, appraisals, and financing hurdles that can pop up unexpectedly.
Some agents are natural nurturers; others are efficient problem-solvers. Both approaches work well, but one will feel more comfortable for your personality.
When the stakes are high, you’ll need someone whose style complements yours, not someone who adds to your anxiety.
2. Look for Local Market Expertise
This is where we see many people make their first mistake: They focus on citywide or even statewide sales numbers instead of hyper-local expertise. The agent who’s crushing it in the high-end market across town might not know that a major employer is expanding their campus two miles away, or that a new family-fun center is coming to the neighborhood.
Real estate is local. You want an agent who knows that houses on the north side of the street sell for 10% more in a neighborhood than the houses on the south side. They know which neighborhoods have the best resale value, which areas are up-and-coming, and which areas to avoid because of traffic or development plans.
When interviewing agents, ask questions like:
- How long have you been working in this area?
- What’s the average days on the market for properties in my price range in this specific neighborhood?
- Can you tell me about recent sales that are comparable to what I’m looking for?
Watch out for agents who tell you they work everywhere. While flexibility is good, deep local knowledge often comes from focused specialization.
A skilled REALTOR® should also know the lifestyle factors that drive the market. Buyers want to know which coffee shops the locals love, where the best dog parks are, and how long they’ll spend commuting every morning from different parts of town.
If you’re selling a home, experienced agents understand what buyers in your area are looking for and how to position your property to attract offers. This knowledge is incredibly valuable when you’re competing with other buyers or trying to price your home competitively. Unfortunately, this isn’t the type of information you find in the MLS data.
Last but not least, who does your agent know? You need someone with connections to reputable lenders who can close on time, home inspectors who are thorough but fair, and contractors who can tackle last-minute repairs without draining your wallet.
These connections become your connections during the transaction—when something goes sideways, you want an agent whose word carries weight with the others involved in your deal.
3. Match Experience Level to Your Price Range and Property Type
Your best friend’s REALTOR® might be completely wrong for you. That’s why referrals alone aren’t enough to make your decision.
An agent who typically works with buyers looking for upscale homes might not be the best choice for a first-time buyer. Their strategies, timeline expectations, and vendor network are built for a different market segment. Similarly, an agent who specializes in starter homes might not have the market sophistication needed for a high-end property.
Ask potential agents about their typical price range and recent transactions. You want a REALTOR® who regularly works in your budget and knows the unique challenges and opportunities at that level.
Selling a condo involves different considerations than selling a single-family home:
- HOA regulations
- Parking
- Pet policies
- Amenity access
Even within single-family homes, there’s a difference between marketing a starter home and a luxury estate.
Make sure your REALTOR® has relevant experience with your specific property type. They should be able to speak knowledgeably about the challenges and selling points that apply to your situation.
Transaction Volume vs. Quality
The agent with the most transactions isn’t necessarily your best option. They might have great systems, or they might be spread too thin to give you the proper attention. Someone who does 50 deals a year might be more available when you need them and eager to provide exceptional service.
There’s no magic number—just make sure their workload allows them to respond to your needs. Ask about their current client load and how they manage their time. You deserve to feel confident about your transaction, especially if issues pop up that require quick action.
4. Evaluate Communication Style and Availability
Strong communication can make the most challenging transactions feel manageable. On the other hand, poor communication can turn a smooth deal into a nightmare. Pay close attention to how potential agents communicate with you during the interview process. It’s a preview of what working together will be like.
Response Time Expectations
If you’re in a hot market where properties get multiple offers within hours, you need an agent who can respond to calls or texts within minutes during business hours. If you’re in a slower market with a flexible timeline, same-day responses might be sufficient. Whatever you need, make sure your REALTOR® can deliver it consistently.
Ask about the agent’s typical response times for different types of communication. How quickly do they respond to urgent issues? What happens if they’re unavailable—do they have a backup system or team member who can help?
Teaching vs. Assuming
Many REALTORS® are natural educators. They explain what’s happening, why it matters, and how it might affect your goals. They take time to make sure you know your options and the implications of different choices.
Note how they answer your questions during early conversations:
- Do they explain things clearly?
- Do they seem impatient with basic questions?
- Do they use industry jargon without explanation?
- Can they translate complex concepts into terms that make sense to you?
Technology and Tools
Modern real estate involves a lot of technology—online portals for document signing, apps for scheduling showings, digital marketing platforms, and communication tools. Your agent should be comfortable using technology that makes the process more efficient and convenient for you.
Remember, technology is meant to enhance, not replace, personal service.
Great REALTORS® use tools to stay organized and responsive, not to avoid conversation and relationship-building.
5. Assess Their Approach to Negotiation and Problem-Solving
Real estate transactions rarely go according to plan. Inspections reveal issues, financing gets complicated, or market conditions change. When challenges arise, you want an agent who’s a skilled negotiator and creative problem-solver.
Ask potential agents about deals that got complicated—not to scare yourself, but to understand their approach. Do they stay calm under pressure? Do they come up with creative solutions, or throw their hands up?
The best agents have backup plans and professional relationships to help them find solutions fast.
Negotiation style matters, too. Some agents approach every discussion like a battle to be won. Others look for solutions that work for everyone. Both approaches can be effective, but one will probably feel more comfortable given your personality.
Red Flags to Avoid
Sometimes it’s easier to know what you don’t want than what you do want. Here are a few warning signs that an agent might not be right for you, regardless of their credentials or sales numbers.
Warning Signs in Initial Meetings
Be cautious of agents who pressure you to sign a buyer or listing agreement before you’ve had time to think it over. While enthusiasm is admirable, pushy behavior might mean they’re more focused on getting your business than understanding your needs.
Likewise, avoid agents who make unrealistic promises about timeline or sale price without understanding your situation and the current market.
Skilled agents are optimistic but honest about what you can expect.
During the Process
Poor communication is a big red flag once you start working together. If your agent takes forever to respond, seems unprepared for appointments, or pushes you toward decisions without explaining why, it might be time to reconsider your choice. If you tell them you want to stay under $300K and they keep showing you $350K properties, that’s a problem.
And watch for conflicts of interest. While dual agency (representing both buyer and seller) isn’t inherently bad, your REALTOR® should disclose this upfront with a clear explanation of how they’ll handle conflicts.
When Your Agent is Someone You Know
If you know someone in the business—a friend, family member, neighbor, or colleague—choosing a REALTOR® can feel even trickier. You might feel obligated to work with your sister-in-law because she just got her real estate license, or a good friend who’s been selling real estate for years.
But being a great person doesn’t automatically make someone the right real estate agent for you. Don’t feel pressured to stick with a familiar or recommended agent if it’s not a good match.
Buying and selling a home is a personal decision—one that involves sharing financial information and discussing your hopes and fears about the future. Sometimes working with someone you know personally can complicate these conversations.
It doesn’t matter whether an agent comes recommended to you by your best friend or your own mother. They should still be able to answer all the same questions you’d ask any other REALTOR®. If they can’t provide satisfactory answers to your questions (or seem offended that you’re asking), that tells you something about how the professional relationship might unfold.
If you do decide to work with a friend or family member, have an honest conversation about how you’ll both handle the professional relationship and what you’ll do if you run into challenges.
Questions to Ask During the Interview Process
Treating your agent selection like a job interview makes perfect sense—because that’s essentially what it is. Below we’ve included some questions on how to choose a REALTOR® to help you evaluate whether an agent is the right fit for you.
Initial Questions
- How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
- Do you primarily work with buyers, sellers, or both?
- Do you have a specific area or type of property you specialize in?
- Are you a full-time or part-time agent?
- How will you communicate with me throughout the process (email, phone calls, text messages)?
- What’s your approach to negotiating offers?
- How do you handle multiple offers on a property?
- Can you explain your listing agreement or buyer’s agreement? What are the terms and duration?
- What sets you apart from other real estate agents in this area?
- What’s your team structure? Do you have an assistant, transaction coordinator, or other team members who will be involved?
Pro Tip: What’s the difference between a REALTOR® and a real estate agent? REALTORS® are members of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) who agree to abide by the NAR’s strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Real estate agents are licensed by the state to help clients buy or sell real estate. While all REALTORS® are real estate agents, not all real estate agents are REALTORS®.
Questions about Marketing and Strategy (for Sellers)
- How will you market my property? Can you provide a detailed marketing plan?
- What’s your strategy for pricing my home?
- Do you use professional photographers, stagers, and videographers?
- How often will you hold open houses?
- How will you handle showings and feedback from potential buyers?
Questions for Buyers
- How will you help me find the right property? What search tools and resources do you use?
- What’s your availability for showing properties?
- Can you recommend a good home inspector, mortgage lender, or real estate attorney?
- How will you guide me through the closing process?
Finding Your REALTOR® Match
After doing your research, you’ll probably have a short list of agents who seem qualified and experienced.
At this point, trust your gut about who feels right.
Remember, you’re not just hiring someone to handle paperwork and unlock doors. You’re choosing a partner for one of the most important financial decisions you’ll ever make. That person should make you feel informed, supported, and confident throughout the process.
At Urban Acres, we believe that real estate is deeply personal, which is why we take time to understand what you’re buying or selling and why it matters to you. We’re here for the service, not the sale, and that’s been our motto for the past 10 years.
If you’re in the market to buy or sell a home and wondering how to choose a REALTOR®, we’d love to have a no-pressure conversation about your goals and explore how we can help you achieve them. Just say the word!
