How to Choose a Real Estate Agent You’ll Actually Trust (Buying or Selling)

Whether you are buying your first home, selling the one you have outgrown, or both at once, your agent will be in your corner through long days, tough negotiations, and a lot of paperwork. Choosing well can make the process calmer. Choosing quickly, because someone sent you a postcard or a friend of a friend “knows a guy,” can leave you wishing you’d asked more questions.

Here is a practical guide to choosing a real estate agent: where to look, how to interview, and what to listen for. (This is general information, not legal or financial advice.)

Start by getting clear on what you need

Agents have different strengths. Before you start collecting names, think about:

Are you buying, selling, or both? Some agents are especially strong with listings; others shine with buyers.
What type of property? Condo, single-family, new construction, or multi-unit each have quirks.
Where? Local knowledge of neighborhoods, schools, commute patterns, and pricing matters.
How much hand-holding do you want? Some clients want frequent updates and guidance; others prefer a light touch.

A short list of priorities helps you tell whether an agent is a match.

Step 1: Ask people who’ve recently moved

Personal recommendations are one of the best ways to find an agent. Ask:

Friends, family, and coworkers who bought or sold recently
Neighbors who sold a home similar to yours
Other pros you trust, such as a mortgage broker or home inspector, who see agents at work

Ask them specifics:

How responsive was the agent?
Did they give honest advice, even when it wasn’t what you wanted to hear?
How did they handle a negotiation or a hiccup?
Would you hire them again?

Friends of friends can be a great source. Someone two connections away may have just closed on a house in your target neighborhood.

Step 2: Look at their work, not just their marketing

Scan the agent’s website, social profiles, and listings. Look for:

Recent activity in your area and price range
Quality of listing photos and descriptions if you’re selling
A clear explanation of how they work
Reviews or testimonials that mention specifics

Marketing polish is nice, but it is not the same as skill. Use it as a starting point for questions.

Step 3: Verify the license

Real estate agents are licensed by the state. Most states provide a free online license lookup through their real estate regulator. (In California, that is the Department of Real Estate.) Check that the license is active and see whether any disciplinary action is listed.

Choosing an agent for selling vs. buying

Sellers and buyers need different things from an agent.

If you’re selling, focus on pricing strategy, marketing, and track record with homes like yours. Ask to see how they’d price your home and why.
If you’re buying, focus on responsiveness, local knowledge, and negotiation style, especially if your market is competitive.

Step 4: Interview two or three agents

It’s perfectly normal to talk to more than one. Treat it like a job interview, because it is. Questions worth asking:

If you’re buying

How do you work with buyers, and what’s your communication style?
How many buyers are you working with right now?
How do you help buyers in competitive situations?
Can you recommend lenders, inspectors, and other pros, and how do you know them?
What happens if I want to stop working together?

If you’re selling

How would you price my home, and what’s the reasoning?
What’s your marketing plan?
What do you recommend I do to prepare the home?
What’s your commission, and what does it cover?
What are the terms of the listing agreement, including length and cancellation?

For both

Can I speak to a few recent clients?
How do you prefer to communicate, and how fast do you usually reply?
Do you work solo or with a team? Who will I deal with day to day?

Step 5: Read the agreement carefully

Before you sign a buyer agreement or listing agreement, read it, and ask what you don’t understand. Look at the length of the term, the compensation, and what it says about ending the agreement. If something is confusing, it is reasonable to ask for time or to consult a real estate attorney.

What good agents tend to do

Listen first. They ask about your goals before pitching.
Explain in plain language. They don’t bury you in jargon.
Tell you the truth. Including about pricing and condition.
Respond reliably. Not instantly at all hours, but consistently.
Know the neighborhood. And are happy to say when they don’t.
Bring a network. Mortgage brokers, inspectors, contractors, and stagers they genuinely trust.

Red flags

Pressure to sign immediately
Promises that sound too good, such as an unrealistically high listing price to win your business
Vague answers about fees, contracts, or experience
Reluctance to share references
A one-size-fits-all pitch that ignores your situation
Poor communication from day one

How MY PRO: TRUSTED PROS® can help

Agents often build their best business through the people they know, which is exactly the idea behind MY PRO: TRUSTED PROS®. It is a social & professional networking app where you connect with service pros, including real estate agents, through the people in your own network. You can scroll a feed, like, comment, and message, and you can see which pros your connections and their connections back, up to second-degree. Pros build visibility through real client relationships.

FAQ

What is the best way to choose a Realtor?

Ask people you trust for names, check each agent’s license, interview two or three, compare how they work, and choose someone you feel comfortable asking anything.

How much does a Realtor make on a home sale?

There is no standard rate. Commission is negotiable and is spelled out in the agreement you sign: a listing agreement if you’re selling, or a written buyer agreement if you’re buying. How much each agent is paid, and by whom, can vary from deal to deal. Ask for the commission and exactly what it covers, in writing.

Will a real estate agent accept a lower commission?

Some will, and it’s reasonable to ask. Compare what each agent’s fee includes, since services and marketing differ.

What should you not tell a real estate agent?

Think carefully before sharing your absolute top budget or how urgently you need to move, since that can weaken your negotiating position. Ask any agent how they handle confidential information, and what they are obligated to disclose in your state.

Should I use the same agent my friend used?

It’s a great place to start, but still interview them. Your needs, budget, and area might differ.

How do I check a real estate agent’s license?

Use your state’s real estate regulator’s website to look up the agent and confirm their license is active.

Find agents your network already trusts

Download MY PRO: TRUSTED PROS® on the App Store and Google Play, and see the pros your network already trusts. Learn more at my-pro.io or email hello@my-pro.io.