Most people only hire an agent when they're already stressed about buying or selling. That's exactly when bad decisions get made. A few smart moves upfront will save you thousands.
What to Look For
Look for someone who specializes in your specific neighborhood and price range. A top seller in mansions won't help you buy a starter condo. You want an agent who handles at least a dozen deals a year — too few and they're rusty, too many and they'll treat you like a number. Check their local market knowledge by asking about recent sales on your block. If they hesitate, walk away. Also look for responsiveness. Someone who takes two days to reply to an initial inquiry will vanish during closing.
Questions to Ask
Ask "How many clients are you currently working with?" If it's more than eight, expect delays. Ask "Can you walk me through your typical process from offer to closing?" Vague answers mean they wing it. Ask "What happens if your fee doesn't align with my budget?" A good agent will explain what they do for that fee and negotiate if needed. Finally, ask for three recent references — not the ones on their website, but real clients you can call. Then call them.
Red Flags
Biggest red flag: they promise a higher selling price than everyone else. That's a lie to get you to sign. Another red flag — they talk more about themselves than about your needs. If they don't ask what you want, they don't care. Watch out for agents who pressure you to make an offer the same day you see a house. That's for their commission, not your benefit. Also avoid anyone who badmouths other agents. It's unprofessional and signals they'll be difficult to work with.
How Ratings Help You Choose
Ratings matter, but only when they come from real clients, not friends or family. Look at patterns — if someone has dozens of reviews mentioning the same strength (quick communication, strong negotiation) or the same weakness (slow to respond, pushy), believe it. One bad review among many good ones is fine. But if the recent reviews show a drop in quality, something changed. Don't rely on star ratings alone. Read the text. People who take time to write a full review usually tell you what's real.
Take thirty minutes to compare local agents on RatingsNearMe before you commit — that small effort separates a smooth deal from a nightmare.