Hiring the wrong agent can cost sellers thousands of dollars. It can cost buyers the home they wanted most. A bad agent might underprice your house, miss a deadline, or fail to return your calls for days.
That's why learning how to find a real estate agent is worth your time before you sign anything. The process has two parts: find candidates, then vet them well enough to pick someone who has your back. This guide covers both, including where to look, what to ask, and which warning signs mean it's time to move on to the next name.
Where to Find Real Estate Agent Candidates
Referrals. Ask friends, family, and coworkers who bought or sold recently. According to the National Association of Realtors, about two out of three home sellers find their agent through a referral or an agent they worked with before. A referral comes with a built-in reference from someone who lived through the experience.
Online agent-matching tools. Sites like Realtor.com, Zillow's Agent Finder, HomeLight, and FastExpert let you enter your zip code and get a short list of local agents, pulled from sales data, reviews, and license records. They're free and a solid starting point if you have no referrals to lean on.
Local presence. Pay attention to yard signs in your neighborhood and drop by an open house or two. An agent who works your area a lot will show up on signs again and again. That kind of local market knowledge is hard to fake.
Online reviews. Check Google, Zillow, and Yelp for patterns in what past clients say. One bad review isn't a dealbreaker, but a string of complaints about missed calls or pushy tactics is worth noticing.
Using an Agent-Matching Service vs. Finding One Yourself
Agent-matching services are convenient, but they usually work off agents who pay to be listed or fit an algorithm's criteria. Treat the list as a starting point, not a final answer, and pair it with a referral or two and your own local research.
If you'd rather skip building a list from scratch, Top Agents Today can connect you with vetted local agents who know your market.
What to Look for Before You Even Call
Before you pick up the phone, do a little homework on each name.
Check the license. Every real estate agent needs an active license in their state. Verify it through your state's real estate board or ARELLO, which links to license lookup tools nationwide.
Look at experience. How many years have they worked in real estate, and how many homes have they closed in your price range? An agent with ten years selling starter homes may not fit a luxury listing.
Confirm local market knowledge. Ask how many homes they've sold in your neighborhood in the last twelve months. An agent who knows your streets and buyer pool will price your home more accurately than one working from a wider area.
Note any certifications. Look for designations like CRS, ABR, SRES, SRS, or MRP, explained in the NAR designations and certifications hub. None are required, but they show an agent invested extra time in their craft.
How Many Agents to Interview (and How)
Talk to at least three agents before you decide. One gives you nothing to compare, and five or more just slows you down.
Start with a short phone screen, ten to fifteen minutes each. Ask about their experience and general approach. Does the agent answer clearly and ask about your timeline and goals, or rush through a pitch without listening?
Narrow your list to your top two or three, then set up an in-person or video meeting to dig into marketing plans, commission, and communication style.
Relocating from another city or state? Run this same process by video call. Ask for a live tour of a recent listing and references from other out-of-town clients before you arrive.
Questions to Ask a Real Estate Agent Before Hiring
The questions to ask a real estate agent shift depending on whether you're buying or selling, but a few apply to everyone.
If you're selling:
- How will you price my home? Can you show me a comparative market analysis (CMA) for similar homes nearby?
- What's your marketing strategy?
- What's the average days on market for homes you've sold recently?
If you're buying:
- How will you help me find homes that match my budget and needs?
- How do you handle multiple-offer situations?
- Will you represent me only, or could you also represent the seller on a home I want?
For everyone:
- What's your commission, and is it negotiable?
- How will you communicate with me, and how often?
- Can I get contact information for two or three recent clients?
Clear answers tell you more than any resume. Our guide on things to do before selling your house covers what to line up before you start interviewing agents.
Red Flags That Signal You Should Keep Looking
- Vague answers. If an agent can't give a straight answer on pricing or commission, that's a problem now and later.
- Pressure to sign right away. A good agent wants your business, but shouldn't rush you into an exclusive agreement on the first call.
- Poor communication. If they're slow to respond before you've hired them, expect the same or worse afterward.
- No local track record. An agent with no recent sales nearby may not know your market well enough to price your home right.
- Reluctance to share references. An agent confident in their work will hand over client contacts without hesitation.
Already hired someone and seeing these signs? You're not stuck. Most listing agreements include a cancellation clause, and many brokerages will let you out if you raise concerns early and in writing. Ask your agent's broker about your options.
Understanding Commission and the Agreement Before You Sign
Real estate agent commission has traditionally run 5 to 6 percent of the sale price, split between both agents, though it's negotiable and varies by market.
After the 2024 NAR settlement, the way buyer-agent commission gets discussed changed. Sellers no longer have to offer buyer-agent compensation through the MLS, and buyers now typically sign a written agreement up front spelling out how their agent gets paid. In plain terms, expect to talk about your agent's fee earlier and more directly than before. See the NAR facts page for the full explanation.
Before you sign anything, know whether you're agreeing to an exclusive agreement, which locks you into that agent for a set period, or a non-exclusive one, which gives more flexibility. Check the agreement's length and whether there's a clear cancellation clause.
Sellers looking to keep more of their proceeds should read how to avoid realtor fees when selling before signing a listing agreement.
Real Estate Agent vs. Realtor vs. Broker: What's the Difference
These terms get used interchangeably, but they aren't the same. A real estate agent holds an active license to help people buy, sell, or rent property. A Realtor is an agent who also belongs to the National Association of Realtors and agrees to follow its code of ethics. Not every agent is a Realtor, though many are.
A broker has completed additional training and licensing beyond a standard agent license and often runs a brokerage or supervises other agents. Ask which category each candidate falls into.
Trusting Your Gut: Making the Final Decision
After the research and interviews, some of the decision comes down to feel. I once helped a friend sell her condo, and she picked her agent not because he had the flashiest marketing plan, but because he was the only one who asked about her timeline before mentioning his commission. That told her he'd listen once things got stressful, and he did.
Numbers and credentials matter, but so does whether you feel comfortable calling this person with a hard question at eight at night. If something feels off in an interview, even if you can't name why, listen to it.
For buyers weighing whether hiring an agent is worth it, our post on whether you need a real estate agent to buy a house covers the tradeoffs, including FSBO, where a seller lists without any agent to save on commission, but manages pricing and negotiations alone.
One more term worth knowing: dual agency happens when the same agent represents both buyer and seller in one deal. This creates a conflict of interest, since the agent is supposed to look out for both sides equally. Some states restrict or ban it. Ask your agent how they'll protect your interests if it comes up.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find a real estate agent near me?
Start with referrals from people you trust, then check online agent-matching tools like Realtor.com or Zillow's Agent Finder using your zip code. Yard signs and open houses also point you to agents who work your neighborhood.
How many real estate agents should I interview before hiring one?
Aim for at least three, enough to compare commission, communication style, and experience without dragging your search out for weeks.
What questions should I ask a realtor before hiring them?
Ask about recent sales, marketing or search strategy, commission, and how often they'll communicate. Request references from two or three recent clients.
How much does a real estate agent charge in commission?
Commission has traditionally run around 5 to 6 percent of the sale price, split between both agents, though it's negotiable and varies by market. Since the 2024 NAR settlement, buyers often negotiate their agent's fee directly and in writing up front.
What's the difference between a real estate agent and a Realtor?
A real estate agent holds a license to help with property transactions. A Realtor is an agent who also belongs to the National Association of Realtors and follows its code of ethics.
How do I know if a real estate agent is legitimate?
Verify their license through your state's real estate board or ARELLO's license lookup tools. You can also check for complaints or disciplinary action, which is public record in most states.
Can I find a real estate agent without a referral?
Yes. Online agent-matching services, yard signs, open houses, and reviews all work well if you don't have a personal referral to start from.
What are red flags when choosing a real estate agent?
Watch for vague answers about pricing or commission, pressure to sign an exclusive agreement right away, slow communication before you've even hired them, and reluctance to provide references.
Should I use the same agent to buy and sell?
It can work well if you trust the agent and they know both sides of your market, but it's not required. Some people prefer separate agents to keep negotiations cleaner.
Is it worth using a free agent-matching service?
It's a reasonable starting point since it's fast and free, but treat the results as a shortlist, not a final answer. Pair it with your own research and a referral if you can.
Ready to Find Your Agent?
Finding the right agent takes a little effort up front, but it pays off in a smoother sale or purchase. If you'd rather not build your list from scratch, Top Agents Today can connect you with local, vetted agents ready to answer your questions. Reach out today and get matched with an agent who works for you.
