Picking the right realtor

How to Pick the Right Realtor

Choosing a realtor isn’t like picking a latte—you don’t just point at the menu and hope for the best. This is someone who’s about to guide you through one of the biggest financial moves of your life. So yes, the bar should be high. Here’s how to sort the pros from the "I-just-got-my-license-yesterday" crowd.

1. Look for Experience That Actually Matters

Years in the business matter, but relevance matters more. You want someone who regularly works your price point, your neighborhood, and your type of transaction. A condo specialist might not be your best bet for a farm property, and vice versa.

2. Check Their Local Market Knowledge

A great realtor should know the local market like they know their morning coffee order. They should explain inventory levels, pricing trends, competitive strategies, and what it takes to win in your area.

3. Ask How They Communicate

Communication style can make or break your experience. Do they text? Email? Carrier pigeon? And more importantly—how often do they update you? You want someone who keeps you informed, not someone who ghosts you until offer day.

4. Review Their Track Record

This isn’t the time for modesty. Ask about:

• Their average days on market

• List-to-sale price ratio

• How many buyers or sellers they’ve helped recently

• Their success in competitive offer situations

If they can’t talk numbers, that’s a problem.

5. Gauge Their Negotiation Style

Some realtors negotiate like seasoned pros. Others fold faster than a cheap lawn chair. Ask how they handle competitive offers, inspection requests, low appraisals, and seller concessions. You want someone who can advocate without blowing up the deal.

6. Ask About Their Team and Support System

Real estate moves fast. If your realtor is juggling everything solo with no support, things can slip. A solid team—transaction coordinators, showing agents, lenders, inspectors—keeps your deal on track.

7. Explore Their Marketing Strategy (for Sellers)

If you’re selling, the marketing plan should be more than “stick a sign in the yard and pray.” Look for professional photos, staging guidance, video tours, targeted digital ads, and a pricing strategy based on actual data—not wishful thinking.

8. Check Their Online Presence and Reviews

Reviews can be telling. Look for consistency, professionalism, and how they handle problems. If every review sounds like it was written by their mom, that's… suspicious.

9. Make Sure You Actually Like Them

You’re going to spend a lot of time with this person. If they stress you out, talk in circles, or give off weird vibes, keep moving. Skill matters—but chemistry matters too.

10. Ask What Sets Them Apart

A confident realtor can tell you exactly why they’re worth hiring. Maybe it’s their negotiation chops, deep local expertise, killer marketing strategy, or simply how well they communicate.

Final Takeaway

The right realtor is equal parts strategist, negotiator, market analyst, and chaos coordinator. Choose the one who knows the market, communicates clearly, and feels like a true partner—not just someone chasing a commission.

Your dream home (or dream sale) deserves nothing less.