Hiring a real estate agent is like picking a roommate — get it wrong and you'll pay for months. Most people pick the first name on a sign or a friend's cousin. That's a lazy shortcut that costs thousands.
What to Look For
Look for someone who sells homes like yours in your actual neighborhood. Not the next town over. Not luxury condos if you're selling a starter house. A good agent answers their phone before 9 PM and returns texts within an hour. You want someone with at least three full years of experience in your local market. New agents need practice — just not on your sale. Check how many listings they've closed in the past twelve months, not just how many they've taken.
Questions to Ask
Ask them: 'How many buyers and sellers did you represent last year?' If they can't answer without checking a notebook, that's a sign. Ask: 'What's your average list-to-sale price ratio in this zip code?' A good agent knows this number cold. Ask: 'Can I talk to two clients you worked with in the past six months?' If they hesitate or offer only one name, move on. Ask how they handle multiple offers — do they push you to accept the highest one or do they negotiate terms?
Red Flags
Biggest red flag is an agent who tells you what you want to hear instead of what the market says. If they promise a price that's way above comparable sales, they're fishing for your listing. Watch out for anyone who talks more about their marketing brochure than their negotiation tactics. Another red flag: they can't explain their commission structure clearly. If they dodge the question or say 'we can work that out later,' run. Also avoid agents who badmouth other agents — it's unprofessional and tells you how they'll talk about you later.
How Ratings Help You Choose
Ratings cut through the noise. Look for agents with at least twenty reviews spread over a couple of years. A handful of five-star ratings from last month means nothing — those could be friends. Pay attention to recent negative reviews and how the agent responded. If they argued or got defensive, that's how they'll handle problems with your sale. Cross-reference ratings with the questions above. A highly rated agent who can't answer basic local market questions is just a popular salesperson, not a skilled negotiator.
Compare local real estate agents on RatingsNearMe before you sign anything — one hour of research now saves you from months of regret later.