{"id":878,"date":"2015-05-05T17:28:38","date_gmt":"2015-05-05T17:28:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/foundation\/?p=878"},"modified":"2026-10-22T15:14:54","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T22:14:54","slug":"look-real-estate-agent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/blog\/look-real-estate-agent\/","title":{"rendered":"What To Look For In A Real Estate Agent"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A good real estate agent does more than unlock doors and send you listings. Your agent can help you understand the local market, evaluate properties, prepare offers, negotiate terms and manage the deadlines that come with buying a home.<\/p>\n<p>The right agent is also a personal fit. You want someone whose experience, communication style, availability and services match the way you plan to buy.<\/p>\n<p>Interviewing a few agents before choosing one can help you understand your options before you sign a representation agreement.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"h\">Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Look for relevant local experience, clear communication and enough availability to support your search.<\/li>\n<li>Ask what services the agent provides and how their compensation works before signing an agreement.<\/li>\n<li>A good agent should explain your options without pressuring you to make decisions.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>What Does a Real Estate Agent Do for a Buyer?<\/h2>\n<p>A buyer&#8217;s agent represents a homebuyer during the purchase process.<\/p>\n<p>Depending on your agreement and local practices, an agent may help you:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Identify homes that fit your criteria<\/li>\n<li>Schedule and attend showings<\/li>\n<li>Understand local market conditions<\/li>\n<li>Research comparable sales<\/li>\n<li>Evaluate asking prices<\/li>\n<li>Prepare and submit an offer<\/li>\n<li>Negotiate price and contract terms<\/li>\n<li>Coordinate inspections and other contingencies<\/li>\n<li>Communicate with the seller&#8217;s agent<\/li>\n<li>Track transaction deadlines<\/li>\n<li>Coordinate with your lender, title company and other professionals<\/li>\n<li>Work through the transaction toward closing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Our guide to <a href=\"\/blog\/what-does-a-real-estate-agent-do\/\">what a real estate agent does<\/a> looks more closely at the role throughout a real estate transaction.<\/p>\n<h2>What to Look for in a Real Estate Agent<\/h2>\n<h3>1. Experience in the Area You&#8217;re Searching<\/h3>\n<p>Local experience can help an agent understand recent comparable sales, typical inventory, property characteristics and how quickly homes are moving in the places you&#8217;re considering.<\/p>\n<p>That doesn&#8217;t mean the agent has to live in the neighborhood or have sold every nearby property.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, ask concrete questions. How many buyers have they represented in the area? What has the local market been like recently? Which factors tend to affect pricing from one part of the area to another?<\/p>\n<p>Specific answers are usually more useful than simply being told that an agent \u201cknows the neighborhood.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>2. Experience With Your Type of Purchase<\/h3>\n<p>Location isn&#8217;t the only type of experience that matters.<\/p>\n<p>Your search may involve:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A first home<\/li>\n<li>A condominium<\/li>\n<li>A multi-unit property<\/li>\n<li>New construction<\/li>\n<li>An investment property<\/li>\n<li>A rural home<\/li>\n<li>A competitive multiple-offer market<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>An agent doesn&#8217;t need to specialize exclusively in your situation, but familiarity with the type of property and transaction can be useful.<\/p>\n<h3>3. Clear Communication<\/h3>\n<p>Ask how and when the agent communicates with clients.<\/p>\n<p>Some buyers prefer frequent texts and quick property updates. Others would rather communicate primarily by phone or email.<\/p>\n<p>Questions to ask include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What&#8217;s the best way to reach you?<\/li>\n<li>How quickly do you typically respond?<\/li>\n<li>Will I work directly with you or with a team?<\/li>\n<li>Who should I contact if you&#8217;re unavailable?<\/li>\n<li>How will you send me new listings?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The important thing is not constant communication. It&#8217;s agreeing on expectations before the search gets busy.<\/p>\n<h3>4. Enough Availability for Your Search<\/h3>\n<p>An experienced agent can have many clients at once. That&#8217;s not necessarily a problem if they have a system for scheduling showings and handling time-sensitive offers.<\/p>\n<p>Ask about availability, especially if homes in your market commonly receive offers quickly.<\/p>\n<p>If the agent works as part of a team, find out who can show properties or handle urgent questions when your primary agent isn&#8217;t available.<\/p>\n<h3>5. A Strong Understanding of the Purchase Process<\/h3>\n<p>Your agent should be able to explain the major stages of buying a home in plain language.<\/p>\n<p>That includes topics such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Making an offer<\/li>\n<li>Earnest money<\/li>\n<li>Financing contingencies<\/li>\n<li>Inspections<\/li>\n<li>Appraisals<\/li>\n<li>Seller concessions<\/li>\n<li>Closing timelines<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The agent does not replace your lender, home inspector, attorney or other specialists. A good agent should recognize where their role ends and when another professional&#8217;s expertise is needed.<\/p>\n<h3>6. An Ability to Explain the Market With Evidence<\/h3>\n<p>Useful market advice should be based on more than instinct.<\/p>\n<p>An agent evaluating a property may use recent comparable sales, current listings, time on market and other relevant information to help you understand how the asking price compares with the market.<\/p>\n<p>That information can also help you decide how to structure an offer.<\/p>\n<p>The ultimate decision about how much to offer remains yours.<\/p>\n<h3>7. A Negotiation Style That Fits You<\/h3>\n<p>Negotiation isn&#8217;t always about pushing for the lowest possible price.<\/p>\n<p>A purchase offer can also involve:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Closing date<\/li>\n<li>Inspection terms<\/li>\n<li>Financing contingencies<\/li>\n<li>Appraisal terms<\/li>\n<li>Seller concessions<\/li>\n<li>Personal property<\/li>\n<li>Buyer-agent compensation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Ask prospective agents how they approach negotiations and how they help buyers compare competing priorities.<\/p>\n<h3>8. A Willingness to Explain Rather Than Pressure<\/h3>\n<p>Your agent can provide information and recommendations, but buying a home is ultimately your decision.<\/p>\n<p>You should be able to ask why an agent is recommending a particular strategy and receive a clear explanation.<\/p>\n<p>An agent who dismisses questions, pushes you toward homes that do not match your priorities or repeatedly pressures you to make faster decisions may not be a good fit.<\/p>\n<h3>9. Clear Fees and Representation Terms<\/h3>\n<p>Before working with an agent, understand how the relationship is structured and how the brokerage expects to be compensated.<\/p>\n<p>Broker compensation is negotiable. There is no legally mandated commission rate.<\/p>\n<p>Under current National Association of REALTORS\u00ae MLS policy, an MLS participant working with a buyer generally must enter into a written agreement with the buyer before touring a home.<\/p>\n<p>The agreement should clearly establish how the agent will be compensated.<\/p>\n<p>That does not necessarily mean you&#8217;ll pay the entire fee directly out of pocket. Depending on the transaction, a seller or listing brokerage may agree to pay some or all of the buyer-agent compensation.<\/p>\n<p>Our guide to <a href=\"\/blog\/real-estate-agent-commission\/\">real estate agent commissions<\/a> explains the current compensation system in more detail.<\/p>\n<h2>What Should You Look for in a Buyer Agreement?<\/h2>\n<p>Don&#8217;t treat the buyer agreement as routine paperwork.<\/p>\n<p>Read it before signing and make sure you understand:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What services the agent will provide<\/li>\n<li>How compensation is calculated<\/li>\n<li>Whether the agreement is exclusive<\/li>\n<li>How long it lasts<\/li>\n<li>Which geographic area or property types it covers<\/li>\n<li>What happens if another party pays some or all of the agent&#8217;s compensation<\/li>\n<li>How the agreement can be changed or terminated<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The terms can vary, and compensation is negotiable.<\/p>\n<p>If something in the agreement isn&#8217;t clear, ask about it before signing.<\/p>\n<h2>Questions to Ask a Real Estate Agent Before Hiring Them<\/h2>\n<p>An initial conversation doesn&#8217;t need to be complicated. A few specific questions can reveal a lot about how an agent works.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>How long have you worked as a real estate agent?<\/li>\n<li>How often do you work with buyers in this area?<\/li>\n<li>Do you have experience with the type of home I&#8217;m considering?<\/li>\n<li>How many buyers are you currently representing?<\/li>\n<li>How do you normally communicate with clients?<\/li>\n<li>Who will show me homes if you&#8217;re unavailable?<\/li>\n<li>How do you help buyers determine an offer price?<\/li>\n<li>What services are included in our agreement?<\/li>\n<li>How will you be compensated?<\/li>\n<li>How long does the buyer agreement last?<\/li>\n<li>What happens if I decide I want to work with someone else?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For a more focused interview, use these <a href=\"\/blog\/5-key-questions-to-ask-a-realtor\/\">questions to ask a real estate agent<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Should You Ask for References and Reviews?<\/h2>\n<p>Reviews and references can provide useful context, particularly when they describe situations similar to yours.<\/p>\n<p>Instead of focusing only on star ratings, look for patterns in comments about:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Communication<\/li>\n<li>Responsiveness<\/li>\n<li>Market knowledge<\/li>\n<li>Negotiation<\/li>\n<li>Problem-solving<\/li>\n<li>Transaction management<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You can also ask an agent about recent transactions or request references when appropriate.<\/p>\n<p>No individual review tells you whether an agent will be the right fit, but consistent feedback can help inform your decision.<\/p>\n<h2>Does the Size of the Brokerage Matter?<\/h2>\n<p>Not necessarily.<\/p>\n<p>A large brokerage may provide extensive technology, support staff and a broad professional network. A smaller brokerage may offer a different level of individual attention or local specialization.<\/p>\n<p>Neither model automatically produces better representation.<\/p>\n<p>Focus on the services you&#8217;ll receive, the individual agent&#8217;s experience and how the brokerage supports the agent when issues arise.<\/p>\n<h2>Does Your Agent Need to Be Tech-Savvy?<\/h2>\n<p>Your agent doesn&#8217;t need to use every new real estate tool, but they should be able to operate efficiently in a largely digital transaction.<\/p>\n<p>That can include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Sending listings electronically<\/li>\n<li>Scheduling showings<\/li>\n<li>Communicating quickly<\/li>\n<li>Preparing and transmitting documents securely<\/li>\n<li>Using electronic signatures<\/li>\n<li>Providing comparable-sale information<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>More important than using a particular app is whether the agent can communicate and manage your transaction reliably.<\/p>\n<h2>Red Flags When Choosing a Real Estate Agent<\/h2>\n<h3>They Don&#8217;t Explain Their Fees<\/h3>\n<p>You should know how the brokerage expects to be compensated before you sign an agreement.<\/p>\n<p>Be cautious if the agent presents compensation as a legally fixed or nonnegotiable industry rate.<\/p>\n<h3>They Pressure You to Sign Immediately<\/h3>\n<p>Buyer agreements are now a normal part of many home searches, but that does not mean you should sign terms you haven&#8217;t read or don&#8217;t understand.<\/p>\n<p>Ask questions and understand the duration, scope, compensation and termination provisions first.<\/p>\n<h3>They Regularly Fail to Respond<\/h3>\n<p>No agent is available every minute of the day.<\/p>\n<p>But repeated communication problems can become significant when you&#8217;re trying to schedule a showing, respond to a counteroffer or meet a contract deadline.<\/p>\n<h3>They Don&#8217;t Listen to Your Priorities<\/h3>\n<p>Your search will probably evolve, but your agent should understand the basic constraints you&#8217;re working with, such as budget, location and property type.<\/p>\n<p>If the agent repeatedly ignores clearly stated priorities, the relationship may not be a good fit.<\/p>\n<h3>They Can&#8217;t Explain Their Recommendations<\/h3>\n<p>Agents make judgment calls, and reasonable professionals can disagree about strategy.<\/p>\n<p>You should still be able to ask why your agent recommends a particular offer, price or negotiating approach and receive an understandable answer.<\/p>\n<h3>They Push You Beyond Your Financial Comfort Zone<\/h3>\n<p>Your agent can help you search within your price range, but your borrowing capacity should be discussed with your lender and your personal budget remains your decision.<\/p>\n<p>The highest mortgage amount you qualify for does not necessarily equal the amount you want to spend.<\/p>\n<h2>Do You Need a Real Estate Agent to Buy a House?<\/h2>\n<p>Generally, there is no universal requirement that a homebuyer hire a real estate agent.<\/p>\n<p>Buyers can potentially purchase property without their own agent, although the process still involves contracts, negotiations, financing and closing requirements.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s also important to understand who represents whom.<\/p>\n<p>The listing agent represents the seller unless a different agency relationship is established under applicable law. An unrepresented buyer should not assume the seller&#8217;s agent is acting as the buyer&#8217;s advocate.<\/p>\n<p>For many buyers, representation can be useful because an agent provides transaction experience and someone whose role is specifically focused on the buyer&#8217;s side of the purchase.<\/p>\n<h2>Real Estate Agent vs. REALTOR\u00ae<\/h2>\n<p>The terms are often used interchangeably, but they do not mean exactly the same thing.<\/p>\n<p>A real estate agent is a person licensed under applicable state law to perform real estate brokerage activities.<\/p>\n<p>A REALTOR\u00ae is a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS\u00ae and is subject to the organization&#8217;s Code of Ethics.<\/p>\n<p>Not every licensed real estate agent is a REALTOR\u00ae.<\/p>\n<h2>How Many Real Estate Agents Should You Interview?<\/h2>\n<p>There is no required number.<\/p>\n<p>Talking with two or three agents can give you enough context to compare communication styles, experience, services, availability and compensation without turning the search into a lengthy process.<\/p>\n<p>If the first agent appears to be a strong fit, you can still review the agreement carefully before making a commitment.<\/p>\n<h2>Bottom Line<\/h2>\n<p>The best real estate agent for you isn&#8217;t necessarily the person with the most transactions, the largest brokerage or the longest r\u00e9sum\u00e9.<\/p>\n<p>Look for relevant experience, evidence-based market knowledge, clear communication and enough availability to help when you need it.<\/p>\n<p>Just as importantly, understand the business relationship before you begin touring homes. Review the services, duration, compensation and termination terms in the buyer agreement rather than treating them as standard or nonnegotiable.<\/p>\n<p>If an agent can explain the process, respond to your questions and help you evaluate your options without making the decisions for you, that&#8217;s a stronger foundation for a productive working relationship.<\/p>\n<h2>FAQ<\/h2>\n<h3>What should I look for in a real estate agent?<\/h3>\n<p>Look for experience relevant to your location and type of purchase, clear communication, reasonable availability, knowledge of the buying process and a willingness to explain recommendations. You should also understand the agent&#8217;s services and compensation before signing an agreement.<\/p>\n<h3>What questions should I ask a real estate agent?<\/h3>\n<p>Ask about local experience, current clients, availability, communication, services, negotiation strategy, compensation and the terms of the buyer representation agreement.<\/p>\n<h3>Do I have to sign a contract with a buyer&#8217;s agent?<\/h3>\n<p>MLS participants subject to current National Association of REALTORS\u00ae policy generally must have a written agreement with a buyer before touring a home. State law may impose additional or different requirements.<\/p>\n<h3>Are buyer-agent commissions negotiable?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes. Broker compensation is negotiable and is not set by law. Your buyer agreement should explain the amount or method of compensation and how payments from other parties affect what you owe.<\/p>\n<h3>Do I have to pay my buyer&#8217;s agent out of pocket?<\/h3>\n<p>Not necessarily. A seller or listing brokerage can potentially pay some or all of the buyer-agent compensation if the parties agree. Your buyer agreement should explain your obligation if outside compensation does not cover the agreed amount.<\/p>\n<h3>Should I use a local real estate agent?<\/h3>\n<p>Experience in your target market can be useful because local agents may have greater familiarity with recent sales, inventory and transaction practices. Evaluate actual experience rather than relying only on where the agent&#8217;s office is located.<\/p>\n<h3>Is a REALTOR\u00ae the same as a real estate agent?<\/h3>\n<p>No. A real estate agent is licensed to perform real estate services under state law. A REALTOR\u00ae is a real estate professional who belongs to the National Association of REALTORS\u00ae.<\/p>\n<h3>How many agents should I interview?<\/h3>\n<p>There is no required number, but speaking with two or three agents can make it easier to compare experience, services, communication and compensation before choosing one.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A good real estate agent does more than unlock doors and send you listings. Your agent can help you understand the local market, evaluate properties, prepare offers, negotiate terms and manage the deadlines that come with buying a home. The right agent is also a personal fit. You want someone whose experience, communication style, availability and services match the way you plan to buy. Interviewing a few agents before choosing one can help you understand your options before you sign a representation agreement. Key Takeaways Look for relevant local experience, clear communication and enough availability to support your search. Ask [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":879,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[540,541],"tags":[312,509,357,446,83],"class_list":["post-878","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buying-a-home","category-getting-started-homebuying","tag-buyers-agent","tag-first-time-homebuyers","tag-home-buying","tag-real-estate-agents","tag-real-estate-tips","post--single"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What To Look For In A Real Estate Agent<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn what to look for in a real estate agent, including local experience, communication, availability, fees, buyer agreements and warning signs to watch for.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, 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