What makes a real estate agent worth working with
A good real estate agent knows the actual market in your area — not the national trend, but what houses like yours sold for last month in your neighborhood. They answer your calls and emails within a day. They explain what they will do for you before you sign anything, and they do not pressure you into a timeline that serves them instead of you.
The agent you choose will shape what homes you see, how offers are written, and what you learn about neighborhoods before you buy. A weak agent costs you time and money. A strong one saves you both. The difference is not credentials — it is how they actually work.
Key Takeaways
- Interview at least three agents before choosing one, and ask each what they sold in your target neighborhood in the last three months.
- Check the state real estate board's public record to see if an agent has complaints or disciplinary history, which is free and takes five minutes.
- Ask an agent directly how they are paid and what happens if you fire them — a good agent will explain both clearly and in writing.
- The agent who knows your neighborhood best usually matters more than the agent with the biggest name or the most listings.
- You do not sign anything until you have met the agent in person and asked them about their last three sales in your area.
How to find agents to interview
Start with agents who have sold homes in the specific neighborhood where you want to buy. Ask your lender, your real estate attorney, or friends who bought in that area in the last year for names. Check Zillow, Redfin, and your local MLS (Multiple Listing Service) to see who lists homes near you — the agents who list there know the market because they work in it.
Do not pick an agent because they have the most listings or the biggest social media following. Pick one because they have sold homes like the ones you want to buy, in the neighborhoods where you want to buy them, in the last three months. That is the only credential that matters at this stage.
Once you have three to five names, call or email each one and ask for a 20-minute conversation. A good agent will make time within two days. If they do not, move to the next name.
What to ask in the first conversation
Ask each agent: "What homes like mine sold for in my target neighborhood in the last three months?" They should give you specific addresses, sale prices, and dates without hesitation. If they say "the market is strong" or "prices are up" instead of naming actual sales, they do not know the neighborhood well enough.
Ask: "How are you paid, and what happens if I fire you?" A good agent will explain that they earn commission only when a sale closes, and that you can end the relationship by telling them in writing. They will not make you sign a long contract or promise to pay them if you buy through someone else.
Ask: "Walk me through what you do for a buyer from the first conversation to closing." Listen for whether they talk about finding homes, writing offers, negotiating, inspections, appraisals, and closing — or whether they just say "I help you find a house." The first answer shows they understand the whole process.
Ask: "What is your response time?" A good agent will say something like "I return calls and emails within 24 hours" or "I check messages three times a day." If they say "I am usually available," that is not specific enough.
Red flags that mean you should keep looking
Do not work with an agent who pushes you to make an offer before you are ready, who tells you to waive inspections to be competitive, or who says "everyone is doing it" when you ask about a practice that feels wrong. These are signs they prioritize closing speed over your protection.
Do not work with an agent who does not know the neighborhood. If you ask about schools, crime, or what the area was like five years ago and they cannot answer, they will not be able to advise you on whether a home is a good long-term buy.
Do not work with an agent who does not explain their commission or who gets defensive when you ask about it. Standard commission is split between the buyer's agent and the seller's agent, and the seller usually pays both. Your agent should tell you this upfront without making it seem like a secret.
Do not work with an agent who does not return your messages within a day, who is rude when you ask questions, or who makes you feel rushed. You will be working with this person for months. If they are hard to reach now, they will be harder to reach when you need them.
How to check an agent's history
Every state has a real estate board or commission that keeps public records of agents. Search your state's board website (usually found by searching "[your state] real estate commission") and look up the agent's name. You will see their license status, any complaints filed against them, and any disciplinary action taken.
This search is free and takes five minutes. If an agent has multiple complaints about not returning calls, misrepresenting properties, or pressure tactics, that is a reason to choose someone else. One old complaint is not disqualifying — agents work with hundreds of people and disagreements happen. Multiple recent complaints are a pattern.
You can also search the agent's name on Google along with words like "complaint" or "review," but take online reviews with caution. People who had a bad experience are more likely to post than people who had a good one, so reviews skew negative.
What to do after you choose an agent
Meet the agent in person before you sign anything. Walk through a home together if possible, or at least sit down in their office. You want to see how they talk about properties, whether they listen to what you say, and whether you feel comfortable asking them questions.
Ask them to send you a written agreement that spells out: how long the agreement lasts, how much commission they earn, what happens if you fire them, and what services they will provide. Read it before you sign. If anything is unclear, ask them to explain it or change it.
Do not sign an exclusive buyer's agreement that locks you in for six months or longer. Most good agents will agree to 30 or 60 days. If they will not, that is a sign they are more worried about protecting their commission than about serving you.
When to switch agents mid-search
If you have been working with an agent for a month and they are not returning your calls, are showing you homes outside your budget, or are pushing you toward neighborhoods you do not want, you can fire them. Check your agreement for how much notice you need to give — usually it is written notice, and it takes effect when ready or within a few days.
You do not owe an agent loyalty if they are not doing the job. The relationship is a business arrangement. If it is not working, end it and find someone better. A good agent will understand this and will not fight you on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use the agent the seller's real estate company recommends?
No. The seller's agent works for the seller, not for you. You should hire your own agent to represent your interests. Your agent and the seller's agent will work together on the sale, but your agent's job is to protect you, not the seller.
Can I work with multiple agents at the same time?
You can talk to multiple agents before you choose one, but once you sign an exclusive buyer's agreement with an agent, you are committed to working with that agent for homes they show you or that you find through them. If you want to look at homes with a different agent, tell your first agent in writing that you are ending the agreement.
What if an agent shows me a home that is listed by their own company?
The agent earns commission from both sides of the sale — from the buyer's side and the seller's side. This is legal and common, but it creates a conflict of interest. The agent may be more motivated to close the sale than to make sure you get a fair deal. Ask your agent to disclose this upfront, and consider having a real estate attorney review the offer before you sign.
How much should I expect to pay a real estate agent?
You do not pay your agent directly. The seller pays commission, which is usually split between the seller's agent and the buyer's agent. The typical split is 5 to 6 percent of the sale price, but this varies by region and is negotiable. Your agent should tell you what the commission is before you make an offer.
What if I find a home on my own — do I still need an agent?
You can buy a home without an agent, but it is risky. An agent knows how to write an offer, what inspections to order, how to negotiate repairs, and what to watch for at closing. If you find a home on your own and want to buy it, hire an agent to represent you in the transaction. The seller usually pays their commission anyway, so you do not lose money by having representation.