How to find a real estate agent: A complete guide

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 will 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 an agent you can trust and rely on to make buying or selling a home as smooth as possible.

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 to the deal.

They 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.

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.

For the seller

A seller’s agent or listing agent helps a homeowner sell their property for the best price and terms. Agents typically evaluate the home and its condition, conduct a comparative market analysis, help the buyer set a price, and list the home on the multiple listing service.

Agents market the property online, in person, and over the phone to generate interest. This may include talking to other agents, advertising, mailing postcards, and coordinating showings and open houses. Once prospective buyers start making offers, the agent will present them to the seller, help them negotiate the terms of the sale, and help the seller prepare for closing.

A good agent has experience and ingenuity when it comes to listing and marketing your home to buyers. Your agent also protects your interests when helping you negotiate a sale to ensure you’re satisfied with the results.

For the buyer

The buyer’s agent helps prospective home buyers find a home to buy, make a successful offer, and close the sale. This starts with helping buyers decide on a budget and area that fits their needs.

A buyer’s agent will present their client with available homes, schedule viewings, and submit offers to sellers. Once an offer is accepted and both parties sign a purchase agreement, the buyer’s agent will help the buyer apply for a mortgage, arrange a home inspection, choose homeowners insurance, and coordinate with the seller. The buyer’s agent will help you complete the necessary paperwork and close the deal.

The chief responsibility of the buyer’s agent is to move with speed and intention. When a home comes on the market, they will get you in to see it as soon as possible so you don’t miss out. When you find a home you want to buy, your agent will help you put together and deliver a competitive offer. Once a deal is in place, the agent can help move the transaction along by calling on their experience with service providers, lenders, and legal requirements.

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.

How to find a good real estate agent

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

1. Get a referral

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. Make sure you get specific reasons for their recommendation.

2. Do research online

Read through an agent’s website for a general sense of their experience and specific homes they’ve helped clients buy or sell. Reading reviews from past clients also is a good idea.

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.

3. Interview multiple agents

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

Good general questions to ask include:

• What services do you offer?
• What type of representation do you provide?
• What experience do you have in the local market?
• What training and experience do you have?
• How long are homes typically on the market in this neighborhood?
• What is your fee?
• What disclosures should I receive?
• Will you represent my interests?
• Will the agent or the agent’s assistants work with me?
• Were recent clients satisfied?

Good questions to ask agents based on the role you need them to play:

• When selling a home:
  
  
  • 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?

• When buying a home:
  
  
  • What are the challenges in today’s market?
  • How will you help me find homes I can afford?
  • How will you help me make competitive offers and negotiate with sellers?
  • What’s covered in our buyer representation agreement?

4. Check their credentials

Make sure the agent has the legal credentials your state requires to work as a real estate agent. You can also ask if they’ve continued their education with additional certifications and designations. NAR and other groups provide programs and services to help members increase their skills and hone their craft.

5. Learn about their experience and track record

Take time to learn more about each agent’s experience and track record. Ask how many homes they help their clients buy or sell. This will tell you how much experience they have and how knowledgeable they are about current market trends. You can also ask how many days it takes them to sell a home on average or the typical variation between their buyer clients’ initial offers and final sales price.

6. Ask about their availability

Deals move quickly in real estate, so you need an agent who’s ready to act when you need them. If an agent is over-committed or doesn’t work full-time, they may be unable to call or text you back as fast as you’d like. Find out if they’re able to dedicate enough time to your needs.

7. Make your decision

Remember that the real estate agent you choose will work with you during a stressful time, and you’ll rely on them to guide you through the buying or selling process. Make sure you ask as many questions as you need. You’re much more likely to be satisfied with the transaction’s outcome if you find an agent with the right experience, expertise, availability, and personality.

8. Review the contract

When you’ve found the right agent, review their contract to confirm you understand the commission structure and everything else you discussed. The contract also should include an exclusivity clause, which means you cannot work with other real estate agents after you’ve signed.

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

Buying or selling your home is something you’ll want expert help with. A good agent can get you more money when you sell your home, help you buy a home at a better price, protect you from legal issues, and navigate the ups and downs of a real estate transaction. They save you time, money, and a lot of headaches.

Take time to interview agents and do your due diligence before deciding on one. When choosing a real estate agent, prioritize their experience and ability to connect with you. Look for an agent who listens to your needs, responds well, and has a compatible working style.

Ready to take the next step in your home-buying journey? Start your mortgage application today and get one step closer to finding the perfect home.