How to Find the Best Real Estate Agent: 5 Must-Know Tips Before You Sign

If you’re in the market for a new home, you need to learn how to find the best real estate agent in your area. Here are 5 must-know tips on how to find the best real estate agent so you can purchase your home with confidence.

Let’s be honest: real estate transactions can feel daunting for first-time homebuyers and veterans alike.

My mom and I always partner with a real estate agent for home purchases and sales because of their industry knowledge and depth of experience. We know we can rely on our agent to give us the best advice, and they are always a call away to discuss negotiation tactics, property values, and new listings.

If you’re looking for a real estate agent to guide you through the process and represent you during the transaction, you’re not alone. According to the National Association of Realtors, 86% of home buyers bought their homes through a real estate agent in 2024, and 90% of home sellers worked with an agent to sell their homes. The numbers are compelling, but the question remains: Which agent is right for me?

With more than 3 million real estate agents nationwide, there’s no shortage of options. Each agent will vary in experience, industry knowledge, market expertise, network, and even personality, so it’s important to find the right fit for you.

Here are our top 5 tips on how to find the best real estate agent in your area.

Let’s jump in!

Real Estate Agent vs Realtor vs Broker

Real Estate Agent

Before we dive into our list of recommendations, let’s go over the basics. Real estate agents are required to take a pre-licensing course and pass a licensing exam in order to receive their real estate license. Each state has different requirements and costs associated with this process. Generally speaking, real estate agents must receive and activate their license in the state they are working in before joining a brokerage.

Now that we’ve covered the steps to becoming an agent, let’s break down the difference between real estate agents and Realtors®.

Realtors

Realtors® are real estate agents who are also members of the National Association of Realtors®, which is the largest professional trade organization in the real estate industry. Members pay dues and agree to abide by the National Association of Realtors® Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

Why would that make a difference?

The code of ethics binds Realtors® to certain duties to their clients and customers, and Realtors® pledge to protect and promote the interests of their client and to operate with honesty and integrity. This is an important factor to consider when selecting a real estate agent to represent your interests in a transaction.

Brokers

Real estate agents can become brokers by passing a broker’s license exam. They typically need at least 3 years of experience working as real estate agents to take the exam, and each state sets its own education and exam requirements.

The additional coursework goes beyond the pre-licensing course that agents take, covering topics from taxes and insurance to ethics and contracts. Real estate agents are required to work for a brokerage firm like Coldwell Banker or Compass. However, once they acquire their broker’s license, they can work independently or start their own brokerage firm.

Real estate agents, Realtors®, and brokers are all licensed real estate professionals who can represent you in a real estate transaction. However, understanding the differences between the three will give you insight into their experience, education, and code of ethics.

Now, here are 5 tips on how to find the best real estate agent for you.

5 Things to Consider When Selecting a Real Estate Agent

1. Consider their Experience

An experienced real estate agent can make a significant difference in your buying or selling process. Experience is paramount when it comes to getting legal documents completed accurately, meeting tight deadlines (which there are many of in real estate transactions), negotiating with confidence, and having a strong network of third-party professionals to call at a moment’s notice.

That being said, some of the best real estate agents may have less tenure, but they bring a healthy measure of the next thing to consider–enthusiasm.

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2. Gauge their Enthusiasm

Enthusiasm is a key characteristic of a strong and capable real estate agent. Some of the newest agents are the hungriest and most enthusiastic. What’s more, enthusiasm is a key component to successfully negotiating on your behalf.

So what does enthusiasm look like in a real estate agent?

For starters, they’ll be excited to talk to you. You’ll want to work with someone who is responsive and has good communication skills. If they don’t return your call, consider that a red flag.

Enthusiastic agents tend to be personable; they like to interact. And when you share the details about your home or the home of your dreams, they should appear interested and present. Look for a real estate agent who brings ideas and has a plan, not one who asks you to tell them exactly what you want them to do. A strong, capable agent is one who will be ready and eager to take action. A plan is a sign of determination, and determination is a mark of an enthusiastic agent.

If you have to choose between experience and enthusiasm, let the latter tip the scale.

Why?

Because inexperienced real estate agents will not work solo. They will be required to work under a very experienced Qualifying Broker. The broker is accountable for the new agent’s actions for the first two years of their career. This means the agent receives ongoing training and is monitored to ensure they do the job well. The Broker signs and approves every document and is responsible for guiding the transaction.

3. Consider their Market Expertise

Many real estate agents specialize in particular markets and are experts at handling transactions for a specific home type. For example, an agent may specialize in suburban single-family homes, while another is an expert on urban condominiums.

It can be very advantageous to partner with an agent who specializes in the area and product type you’ll be buying or selling. These agents understand the nature of real estate transactions in that area and are well-equipped to guide you through the process.

If you don’t know agents who specialize in your area, one way to find them is by simply driving around the neighborhood to find “For Sale” signs. Real estate transactions in specific areas tend to mimic one another, so working with an agent who is already familiar with those transactions could be an advantage and help to smooth the process for you.

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4. Determine Your Budget

Some real estate agents charge a flat fee, while others (most) work on commission. Commission fees vary by market, brokerage, and agent, so ask about this upfront. As of January 2025, the average real estate commission in the US was 5.57%, split between the buyer’s and seller’s agents.

All real estate commissions are negotiable. Historically, the seller paid the commissions for both parties, but this practice shifted in 2024. As of August 2024, sellers are responsible for paying the listing agent’s commission, and buyers pay their agent’s commission.

It’s crucial to do your own due diligence to ensure you understand and are comfortable with the arrangement before you enter into any agreement with a particular real estate brokerage.

Don’t shy away from this very important conversation.

5. Ask For Their Availability

Is real estate their hobby or full-time career? Your agent’s availability and your expectations for them should align from the beginning.

Are you expecting to be house-hunting 7 days a week? That’s perfectly fine (we’ve been there ourselves), but not all real estate agents can accommodate that kind of schedule. Many have families and obligations that may need to take priority after working hours. Several agents choose not to work on Sundays for religious or other reasons.

Part-time agents

Not all real estate professionals work in real estate full-time. 22% of real estate agents classify themselves as part-time, and many work full-time jobs in addition to their real estate careers.

It’s perfectly acceptable to ask a real estate agent what days and hours they’ll be available, how often you can contact them, and how quickly you can expect a return call or email.

big-name or celebrity real estate agents

He or she certainly could be the right real estate agent for you. But one thing to consider is that oftentimes these agents have far more business than they can handle personally. That means your interactions throughout the transaction may be with their team rather than the actual agent.

So if you’re hung up on working with one particular agent, make sure you ask the right questions upfront to understand exactly how much you’ll be working with that agent and how involved that agent will be throughout the process.

Bonus Tip: Always Interview Several Agents

It’s best practice to interview a few real estate agents before making your decision. Ask them about their experience, their brokerage, and the support the brokerage offers its agents. You can also ask about their personal success rate, fees, and availability. Try to get a sense of their enthusiasm for working with you.

Ask what they will do specifically to represent you through the buying or selling process. Real estate agents are trained to prepare a buyer’s presentation and a listing presentation for such interviews, which can reveal how they plan to market your home or search for properties for you and how long you’ll be in an agreement with that agent.

If the agent you’re interviewing doesn’t have a presentation to offer and can’t easily answer your specific questions, it may be time to politely thank them for the time and move on to another agent.

By taking the time to do your research and carefully consider the characteristics of each agent you interview, you can ensure that you’ll make a wise choice and partner with the best real estate agent to represent you.

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