How to find a real estate agent

When buying or selling a home, choosing a real estate agent is one of your most important decisions. An agent is an ally who understands the home buying process. Your agent can help you negotiate the best deal possible, alert you to potential problems, and help you navigate appraisals, inspections, and paperwork.

Trying to buy or sell a home without help can lead to costly mistakes, missed opportunities, and high anxiety. Here’s how you can find a real estate agent you can trust to make buying or selling a home as smooth as possible.

Key takeaways:

• Start with referrals from friends, family, and trusted professionals, then verify licenses and client reviews online.
• Interview multiple agents to compare their local experience, communication style, workload, and strategies.
• Review the representation contract carefully, including the exclusivity clause, fees, and scope of services.

What does a real estate agent do?

A real estate agent is a licensed professional who represents a buyer's or seller's interests in a real estate transaction. They bring their experience negotiating deals, perspective on market conditions, and knowledge of the transaction process.

Real estate agents typically work for a sponsoring broker or brokerage firm and often are paid on commission. Some agents are REALTORS^®, agents or brokers who are members of the National Association of REALTORS^®. The group establishes a code of ethics and regular training requirements for its members.

What a seller’s agent does

Each side in a sale typically has an agent acting on its behalf. Here’s how the agent's role varies depending on which side they represent, starting with the seller's agent.

A seller’s agent - also called a listing agent - represents the homeowner. Their primary responsibilities include:

• Conducting a comparative market analysis (CMA) to help set an accurate, competitive listing price.
• Listing the home on the local multiple listing service (MLS) and distributing it to major real estate portals.
• Developing a digital and traditional marketing strategy, including professional photography, virtual tours, yard signs, and open houses.
• Evaluating incoming buyer offers, advising the seller on counteroffers, and negotiating sale terms.
• Coordinating with buyer agents, appraisers, inspectors, and title companies through closing.

What a buyer’s agent does

A buyer’s agent represents the prospective homebuyer. Their primary responsibilities include:

• Helping buyers establish a realistic budget and location parameters based on mortgage preapproval limits.
• Identifying matching properties, arranging private walkthroughs, and highlighting property condition details.
• Drafting formal written purchase agreements, including protective contingencies - such as inspection, appraisal, and financing clauses.
• Negotiating the purchase price, seller concessions, and repair credits following home inspections.
• Guiding the buyer through the mortgage, title, appraisal, and closing process.

Not sure what you can realistically afford? Use our home affordability calculator to estimate your budget before you talk to a buyer's agent and lender.

Real estate agent vs. real estate broker

A real estate agent and a real estate broker are both real estate professionals but have different responsibilities. Brokers supervise agents and receive a percentage of their commission.

Brokers have a separate license from the state they operate in. To get a license, the broker must have a minimum number of years of experience and pass an exam.

REALTOR® vs. real estate agent

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate agent or broker who is an active member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). Members must adhere to NAR’s strict Code of Ethics, complete regular ethics training, and meet professional standards beyond basic state licensing. Not every real estate agent is a REALTOR®, though many are.

Where to find real estate agent candidates

Here are a few things you should do when finding a real estate agent to help you buy or sell a home.

Ask friends, family, and neighbors

According to NAR, referrals from friends, neighbors, or relatives remain the primary method most buyers use to find their real estate agent, and 65% of recent home sellers used either a referral or an agent they worked with previously. If anyone you know has recently bought or sold a home, ask them if they’d recommend an agent and specific reasons behind the recommendation.

Visit local open houses

Attending open houses in your target neighborhood lets you observe agents in action. Pay attention to how knowledgeable the agent is about the neighborhood, how professionally they present the home, and how comfortably they interact with prospective buyers.

Ask a lender or mortgage professional

Your mortgage lender or loan officer frequently works alongside top-performing local agents. Lenders can recommend agents who have a strong track record of writing clean offers, meeting contract deadlines, and closing transactions smoothly.

Research agents online

Read through an agent’s website and through consumer reviews for a general sense of their experience and specific homes they’ve helped clients buy or sell.

Be aware that when you search websites for homes, the agents they connect you with may be paying for that connection. This means you are being sent to specific real estate agents to drive ad revenue, not because they are necessarily the best agent for you.

Check state licensing boards

Before contacting any agent, verify their credentials through your state’s real estate licensing division or department of consumer regulatory affairs. These public databases let you confirm that the agent’s license is active and check for any past disciplinary actions, suspensions, or consumer complaints.

How to choose a good real estate agent

Once you have a shortlist of candidates, here are some tips on how to pick the real estate agent for you.

Define your buying or selling needs

Are you buying a single-family home, a condo, or a fixer-upper? Are you selling in a buyer’s or seller’s market? Knowing your exact scope helps you evaluate whether an agent’s specific experience matches your goals.

Interview multiple agents

Each agent has different experience, specialties, and talents. By interviewing several agents, you can evaluate their personalities, compare their skills and expertise, and assess their level of commitment.

Verify credentials and designations

Confirm the agent holds the license your state requires. You can also ask about additional certifications and designations, such as those offered through NAR, which show continued training.

Compare experience and local knowledge

Ask how many homes each agent has helped clients buy or sell. That shows their experience and how well they know current market trends. You can also ask how many days they typically take to sell a home, or how far their buyers’ final sales prices land from the initial offers.

Review client feedback

Read verified third-party client reviews across multiple platforms. Look for consistent feedback regarding negotiation effectiveness, problem-solving abilities during inspection issues, and overall responsiveness.

Ask about availability and workload

Deals move fast, so you need an agent who can respond quickly. Ask whether they work full-time and how many clients they’re handling, since an over-committed agent may be slow to return your calls.

Compare fees and commission terms

Real estate commissions and representation fees are negotiable. Review the proposed compensation terms, what services are included, and who covers specific marketing expenses before committing.

What to ask a real estate agent before hiring one

When it comes time to interview real estate agent candidates, make sure you’re asking the right questions.

Questions to ask any agent

Good general questions to ask any real estate agent include:

• Are you a full- or part-time agent?
• How long have you been actively working in this market?
• What core services are included in your representation agreement?
• Will I work directly with you or with a team assistant?
• What is your preferred communication channel (phone, text, or email) and expected response time?
• How many active buyers or sellers are you currently representing?
• How long are homes typically on the market in this neighborhood?
• What is your fee?
• What disclosures should I receive?

Questions to ask when selling a home

If you’re looking for a listing agent, ask the following:

• What are comparable listings in my area?
• What do you think my home is worth, and why?
• What can I do to improve my home’s value or curb appeal?
• How would you price my home?
• How will you market my home?

Questions to ask when buying a home

If you’re looking to buy a home, here are some questions to ask real estate agents:

• How will you help me find homes I can afford?
• What are the challenges in today’s market?
• How will you help me make competitive offers and negotiate with sellers?
• How do you handle inspection repair requests or low property appraisals?
• What’s covered in our buyer representation agreement?

Making your final decision

Compare your candidates based on local market expertise, professional communication, transparency, strategy, and overall fit. When you select an agent, carefully review the written representation contract. Verify:

• The exact commission rate or fee structure.
• The duration of the agreement.
• The exclusivity clause and cancellation terms.

FAQ

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about hiring a real estate agent.

What is the best way to find a real estate agent?

The single most effective way to search for great real estate agents is combining personal referrals from friends or family with independent verification via state licensing boards and client review portals.

What is the hardest month to sell a house?

Nationally, January and February are historically the hardest months to sell a house.

Should you talk to a mortgage lender or real estate agent first?

It’s typically best to talk to a mortgage lender first. Getting mortgage preapproved establishes your exact purchase budget, confirms your loan options, and shows real estate agents and sellers that you are a qualified, ready buyer.

The bottom line: Find the right real estate agent for you

Buying or selling a home is a big transaction, and a good agent is worth having in your corner. They can help you get a better price, steer you clear of legal issues, and save you time and headaches along the way.

Interview a few agents before choosing one. Prioritize experience and how well you connect: Look for someone who listens, responds quickly, and has a working style that fits yours.

Ready for the next step? Start your mortgage application today and get closer to finding the perfect home.