How to Choose the Right Real Estate Agent

By Everett Marketing Agency Editorial Team · Updated 2026-08-05

Choosing the right real estate agent requires comparing candidates through directories like Zillow, reviewing sales history, and interviewing multiple agents before deciding. Buyers and sellers should ask about experience, client load, and marketing strategy, then confirm communication expectations, commission, and listing terms upfront to prevent costly misunderstandings later in the transaction.

Key Takeaways

• Interview at least three prospective agents to compare experience, specialties, and approach fit.

• Verify agent experience by asking how many homes they personally sold last year.

• Confirm full-time commitment and years of residential real estate sales experience directly.

• Review agent reviews and sales history on Zillow's directory before making final decision.

What do you need before choosing an agent?

Most sellers work with an agent because selling a home is a complicated and stressful experience. Even experienced homeowners find the process overwhelming without professional guidance. Before interviewing candidates, buyers and sellers need a clear starting point for their search.

What research should clients do first?

Clients should start broad by comparing agents through online directories. These directories display reviews, specialties, and sales history side by side. This initial research narrows the field to candidates who match the client's specific needs.

Why interview multiple agents?

Interviewing multiple agents helps clients contrast each candidate's fit for their unique situation. A single interview provides limited perspective. Comparing three or more agents reveals differences in approach, communication style, and market knowledge. This comparison prevents settling for an agent who merely seems adequate.

Key preparation steps before interviewing agents:

• How to find a realtor begins with identifying local agents who specialize in the client's neighborhood or property type

• Compile a list of questions to ask a real estate agent about experience, marketing strategy, and client load

• Review each agent's online presence and past sales to gauge professionalism

• Confirm the agent works full-time in residential real estate

Hiring a professional real estate agent helps clients make smart decisions and avoid costly mistakes. A buyer's agent represents the client's interests through the entire home-buying process. The preparation done before the first interview determines the quality of the final choice.

What questions should you ask during interviews?

Asking the right questions to ask a real estate agent separates a qualified professional from a poor fit. Clients should prepare a short list of targeted questions before any meeting. The answers reveal experience, market knowledge, and whether the agent aligns with the client’s goals.

How long have you been in residential real estate sales?

Experience matters, but tenure alone does not guarantee skill. Ask whether real estate is the agent’s full-time job. Part-time agents may have divided attention. A full-time professional with several years of active sales typically has sharper negotiation instincts and deeper local knowledge.

How many homes did you and your brokerage sell last year?

This question measures current market activity. An agent who sold 20+ homes in the past year stays up to date on pricing trends, inspection issues, and lender requirements. Low volume may indicate a lack of recent transaction experience. The brokerage’s total sales also matter — a firm with strong local volume provides better market intelligence and referral networks.

What designations or certifications do you hold?

Beyond a basic license, specialized credentials signal advanced training. Designations like Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) or Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) show focused expertise. Agents who invest in continuing education often handle complex transactions more effectively.

How will we communicate, and what is your selling strategy?

Choosing a real estate agent requires alignment on process. Clients should agree on communication preferences — email, phone, or text — and expected response times. Discuss the timeline for the sale or purchase. Ask the agent to outline their marketing approach for the client’s specific property or search area. A clear upfront plan prevents misunderstandings later.

Red flags when hiring a realtor include vague answers about experience, reluctance to share recent sales data, or an inability to describe a tailored strategy. An agent who dodges questions about references or past client outcomes should raise immediate concern.

How do you make the final decision?

Making the final decision on an agent requires a structured comparison process. Interview at least three prospective agents before choosing one to represent your interests through the entire transaction. This approach provides a baseline for evaluating experience, communication style, and local market knowledge side by side.

What are the red flags when hiring a realtor?

Red flags when hiring a realtor include vague answers about past sales, reluctance to provide references, or pressure to sign a listing agreement immediately. An agent who cannot clearly explain their marketing strategy for a specific property or buyer profile signals inexperience. A professional who dismisses realtor interview questions about commission structure or contract terms creates unnecessary risk for the client.

How do you compare candidates effectively?

Choosing a real estate agent becomes easier with a structured comparison. Create a simple scorecard covering three areas:

• Experience and sales volume: How many transactions closed in the past 12 months

• Local market knowledge: Specific neighborhood data and recent comparable sales

• Communication fit: Response time, preferred contact methods, and availability

A good buyer's agent proves necessary for both experienced and first-time home buyers navigating a complex market. The agent who demonstrates consistent follow-through and transparent answers during the interview process typically delivers the same reliability during the transaction. Everett Marketing Agency helps real estate agents build organic visibility through consistent blog content, which supports their credibility with clients before and after the hiring decision.

FAQ

How many agents should you interview before deciding?

Interview at least three prospective agents to compare their experience, specialties, and approach. This comparison reveals differences in communication style and market knowledge that a single interview cannot show.

What should you ask about an agent's experience?

Ask how many homes they personally sold last year and how many years they spent in residential real estate sales. Confirm the agent works full-time, since divided attention affects negotiation skill and local market knowledge.

Where should you research agents before interviewing them?

Compare agents through online directories like Zillow, which display reviews, specialties, and sales history side by side. This research narrows the field to candidates who match specific needs before scheduling interviews.

Facts

• Everett Marketing Agency is located in Las Vegas, NV, United States.