Real estate agencies

How to Choose a Real Estate Agent

How to choose a real estate agent: where to find candidates, questions to ask, checking reviews, and new 2024 commission and agreement rules.

How to Choose a Real Estate Agent

Buying or selling a home is one of the largest financial decisions most people ever make, and the person you hire to guide you through it matters more than almost any other choice in the process. Knowing how to choose a real estate agent can be the difference between a smooth closing and months of stress, missed opportunities, and money left on the table. The good news is that finding the right agent is a skill you can learn, and it comes down to knowing where to look, what to ask, and how to read the signals that separate a true professional from someone who simply holds a license.

This guide walks you through the whole process so you can hire with confidence.

Where to Find Good Candidates

Start with people who have recently been through a transaction like yours. Ask friends, coworkers, and neighbors who they used and whether they would hire that agent again. A personal referral from someone who just closed on a similar home in your area is worth more than any advertisement.

Beyond referrals, look at who is actually doing business in your target neighborhood. Drive around and note which names appear on for-sale and sold signs. Search online listing portals and see which agents represent homes in your price range and style. If you attend a few open houses, you get to watch agents work in person, which tells you a lot.

You can also lean on curated directories and comparison tools that vet agents by production and client feedback. As you research, it helps to read through our real estate guides to understand what strong local representation should look like before you start interviewing.

Aim to talk with at least three agents. Comparing a few gives you a feel for the range of personalities, strategies, and fees in your market.

Questions to Ask

Treat your first conversation like a job interview, because that is exactly what it is. Good questions to ask include:

• How many transactions have you closed in the past twelve months, and how many were in my neighborhood or price range?
• Do you work solo or as part of a team, and who will I actually be communicating with day to day?
• How will you keep me updated, and how quickly do you typically respond?
• For sellers: what is your pricing strategy and marketing plan for my home?
• For buyers: how will you help me compete in this market and spot problems in a property?

Pay attention to how they answer as much as what they say. You want someone who listens, explains clearly, and is honest about challenges rather than promising you everything you want to hear.

Checking Track Record and Reviews

Once you have a shortlist, verify what each agent tells you. Confirm the license is active and free of disciplinary action through your state real estate commission, which offers a public lookup online. Membership in the National Association of Realtors means the agent is a Realtor and is bound by a code of ethics, though that alone does not guarantee quality.

Read reviews across more than one platform. A handful of glowing comments can be cherry-picked, so look for a consistent pattern over time and pay attention to how the agent responds to criticism. Ask each candidate for references from recent clients and actually call them. Ask those past clients whether the agent was responsive, whether the sale price matched expectations, and whether they would use the agent again.

Look at real production, not just a title. An agent who closes steadily every month brings experience that a part-timer cannot match.

Understanding Agreements and Commission

Representation and pay changed meaningfully after the 2024 National Association of Realtors settlement, so this is where you need to read carefully.

If you are buying, you will now typically sign a written buyer representation agreement before touring homes. This document spells out what your agent will do for you and, importantly, how they get paid and how much. Buyer commissions are no longer assumed to be covered automatically by the seller, so the amount is negotiable and must be stated up front. In some deals the seller still agrees to cover it, in others you may pay some or all of it yourself, and you can ask the seller to contribute as part of your offer.

If you are selling, you sign a listing agreement that sets your agent's fee and the term of the arrangement. Commissions have always been negotiable, and that is more true than ever. Ask exactly what services the fee covers and whether you would offer any compensation to a buyer's agent to attract more showings.

Read every agreement before signing. Check the length of the term, whether you can cancel, and whether the fee is a percentage or a flat amount. A confident professional will happily walk you through every line.

Red Flags to Watch For

A few warning signs should give you pause. Be cautious of an agent who pressures you to sign a long exclusive agreement on the spot, who is vague or defensive about how they get paid, or who is slow to return calls even while trying to win your business. If they are hard to reach now, it rarely improves later.

Watch out for anyone who suggests pricing your home far above the market just to win your listing, or who pushes you toward a quick decision that benefits them more than you. Dual agency, where one agent represents both sides, can create conflicts, so understand exactly who is advocating for your interests.

Buyer's Agent Versus Listing Agent

The role you need shapes who you hire. A buyer's agent works for you as the purchaser, helping you find homes, evaluate condition, negotiate price, and manage inspections and financing deadlines. A listing agent works for the seller and focuses on pricing, marketing, staging advice, and negotiating the best terms for that side.

Some agents do both well, but their skill sets differ. If you are selling, favor an agent with a strong marketing track record and local pricing expertise. If you are buying, favor someone with sharp negotiation instincts and deep knowledge of the neighborhoods you want.

The Takeaway

Interview at least three agents, verify their license and recent track record, call past clients, and read every agreement, especially the new buyer representation and commission terms, before you sign anything. The right agent listens to your goals, communicates clearly, and earns their fee by protecting your interests. Take the time to choose well and the rest of your transaction gets far easier.