Buying or selling a home is a big financial decision. Who you choose to guide you through it matters. The right agent can save you thousands of dollars, weeks of stress, and a lot of second-guessing. The wrong one can cost you all three.
So how do you tell the difference before you’ve signed anything? Here are the 10 things to look for in a real estate agent, whether you’re buying your first home, selling your current one, or building out an investment portfolio.
1. Local Market Experience
An agent who knows the wider region isn’t the same as one who knows your neighborhood. Local expertise means understanding hyperlocal pricing trends, current inventory, and the small details that separate one street from the next.
Look for an agent who can speak confidently to:
- Recent sale prices for comparable homes nearby (not just the general area)
- School zones and ratings
- Local development plans or zoning changes that could affect value
- Typical days-on-market for your specific type of property
2. A Proven Track Record
Ask how many homes they’ve closed recently in your area and price range. A busy pipeline of closings tells you more than a polished bio page.
Don’t stop at star ratings either. Ask for two or three recent client references and actually call them. Real clients will tell you honestly how responsive the agent was, how the negotiation went, and whether they’d hire them again.
3. Strong Communication
You’re going to be relying on this person to move quickly when it matters: a new listing hits the market, an offer comes in, a deadline is approaching. Slow responses at any of those moments can cost you the deal. Before you commit, get a feel for:
- How quickly they respond to calls, texts, or emails
- Whether their preferred communication style matches yours
- Whether they update you proactively or only when you chase them
4. Honesty and Transparency
A good agent tells you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear, even when that means pointing out a home’s flaws or telling you your asking price is too high.
This extends to money, too. A trustworthy agent will explain their commission structure clearly from the outset, with no vague answers or surprises later.
If you’re not sure what agents typically charge, our guide to how much a realtor costs breaks it down.
5. Negotiation Skills
Negotiation is where a great agent earns their fee. This isn’t just about haggling over price — it includes contingencies, closing timelines, repair requests, and how they handle multiple-offer situations.
Ask a prospective agent to walk you through how they’ve handled a recent negotiation. Their answer will tell you a lot about how they’ll fight for you.
6. The Right Credentials
“Real estate agent” and “REALTOR®” aren’t quite the same thing; a REALTOR® is a licensed agent who’s also a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and has agreed to follow its Code of Ethics. It’s worth asking which one you’re working with.
Beyond that, designations like CRS (Certified Residential Specialist), ABR (Accredited Buyer’s Representative), or SRES (Senior Real Estate Specialist) can indicate extra training in a specific area.
7. An Agent Who Understands Your Goals
Buying and selling call for different skill sets, so the right agent for you depends on which side of the transaction you’re on.
If you’re buying, you want an agent who’s efficient at narrowing down listings, quick to arrange showings, and sharp when it comes to structuring a competitive offer.
Our home search and secure service is built around that.
If you’re selling, you want an agent focused on pricing strategy, presentation, and getting maximum exposure to the right buyers.
Take a look at how we help sellers get their property ready and sold.
If you’re building a portfolio rather than making a single move, you’ll also want an agent who understands investment fundamentals, not just single-family sales.
Learn more about growing your real estate portfolio with the right support behind you.
8. A Strong Professional Network
A well-connected agent can save you serious time and hassle. Look for someone with reliable relationships across:
- Mortgage lenders and loan officers
- Home inspectors
- Contractors and tradespeople
- Real estate attorneys
When something unexpected comes up mid-transaction, a strong network is what keeps things moving instead of stalling out.
9. Availability and Capacity
An agent juggling too many active clients at once may not have the bandwidth to give you the attention you need. Ask directly how many clients they’re currently working with, and whether real estate is their full-time focus.
Part-time agents aren’t necessarily bad at their job, but they’re often less immersed in day-to-day market activity, which can mean missed opportunities on new listings or slower response times when timing matters.
10. A Personality You Trust
You’ll likely spend more time with your agent over the coming weeks or months than with most people in your life outside family and close friends. You should feel comfortable asking questions, pushing back, or admitting you’re unsure about something without feeling rushed or judged.
Real Estate Agent Interview Questions to Ask
Treat your first meeting with a prospective agent like a job interview, because that’s what it is. Here are a few questions worth asking directly:
| Question | What to Listen For |
| How many active clients are you currently working with? | Enough capacity to prioritize you |
| How familiar are you with this specific neighborhood? | Specific, confident answers, not vague generalities |
| Can you walk me through a recent negotiation? | A clear strategy, not just “I got a good price” |
| What’s your average time from listing to close, or offer to close? | Realistic numbers that match current market conditions |
| Can you provide two or three recent client references? | Willingness to connect you directly, without hesitation |
What Makes a Good Real Estate Agent?
Experience, communication style, negotiation skill, and local knowledge can vary from one agent to the next.
It’s also worth knowing upfront that what makes a great agent for a buyer isn’t always the same as what makes a great agent for a seller. We’ll get into that shortly. For now, here’s what to look for across the board.
How to Find the Right Real Estate Agent for You
Don’t settle on the first agent you meet. Interview two or three, ask the questions above, and compare not just their answers but how they made you feel — informed, respected, and confident, or rushed and unsure.
Ask your lender, friends, or family for referrals, but always follow up with your own conversation. The right agent for someone else isn’t necessarily the right agent for you.
Ready to take the next step? Whether you’re buying your next home, selling your current property, or growing your real estate portfolio, our team is here to help you do it right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Commission is split between the buyer’s and seller’s agents, and rates vary by market and by agreement. For a full breakdown of what to expect, see how much a realtor costs.
Yes, though it depends on the terms of your listing or buyer’s agreement. Most agreements include a set term and cancellation terms, so check the contract details before signing, and raise concerns with your agent directly first if you can.
Not necessarily. Buying and selling call for different skills; a strong listing agent focuses on pricing and marketing, while a strong buyer’s agent focuses on search efficiency and offer strategy. Some agents are genuinely strong at both; it’s worth asking about their track record in each.
Two or three is a good rule of thumb. It gives you enough to compare communication style, local knowledge, and negotiation approach without dragging the process out too long.
It’s a fair question, but buying or selling without representation means handling negotiation, paperwork, disclosures, and deadlines on your own. It’s a process where mistakes can be expensive and hard to undo.
If you’re weighing it up, our guide on whether you need a realtor to buy a home in New Jersey walks through the pros, cons, and what’s actually required.
