how to find a real estate agent

12 Minute Read | September 27, 2021

Whether you're buying or selling a home, finding a real estate agent you can trust might just be the most important decision you make. After all, they'll be helping you manage a transaction that's worth hundreds of thousands of dollars!

It may be tempting to hire the first real estate agent you talk to, just to save time and effort. We get it. Life is busy, especially when you're making a big transition. But a real estate agent can easily make or break your home-buying or home-selling experience.

You don't want to hire a rookie agent who might just be winging it. You want a seasoned agent who has what it takes to get the job done. But how do you find the right real estate agent for you?

7 Tips to Find a Great Real Estate Agent

Here are the top tips to help you find the best real estate agents in your area and how to narrow down the right one for you so you can buy or sell a home on your timeline and for the right price.

Use trusted resources to find agents near you.
Evaluate their real estate experience.
Make sure they know your local real estate market.
Check the real estate agent's track record.
Learn about their customer service.
Interview at least three real estate agents.
Hire someone you actually like.

1. Use Trusted Resources to Find Agents Near You

Okay, there are many ways to find a real estate agent. But to find a great one near you, you need to look in the right places:

Use a referral program you trust that vets for the best agents—like our Endorsed Local Providers (ELP) program.

Do extensive research online for the best agents in your area or where you plan to move.

Ask people who had a great experience buying or selling a home for the agent they used.

Visit open houses so you can meet potential agents in person.

If you think you'd feel more comfortable working with someone you know on a personal level, just a heads up: Hiring a friend or relative as your real estate agent could create some uncomfortable problems.

Find a trusted real estate agent we recommend in your area.

For example, they'll probably be peering into your personal finances (like how much money you make and how you manage it all) and that might not be information you want lingering around your social circles.

And what if something goes wrong with the sale? Housing mistakes are worth tens of thousands of dollars. Even if you have the courage to give them the boot, who knows how long the tension will last?

Don't make the mistake of settling for a mediocre agent when you could easily find a top performer who has helped hundreds like you get the job done smoothly and for the best deal.

A couple is laughing together.

2. Evaluate Their Real Estate Experience

So, now that you know where to find a great real estate agent, how do you choose the right one for you? You're not going to choose the best one by flipping a coin. You need to take the agent interview process seriously. That's right—we said interview process.

Don't forget, this is a huge transaction that's worth hundreds of thousands of dollars! You wouldn't trust an amateur with that kind of money. If you want an expert, don't be afraid to set the bar high. The good news is that separating the experts from the amateurs isn't rocket science. You just need to know what to look for.

How many years of experience should an agent have?

Helping people buy or sell a home is a tough job that involves difficult negotiations and market fluctuations. So you'll want to find an agent who has a ton of experience. How much experience is enough? Well, that answer depends on whether you're buying or selling.

Buyer's agent: If you're buying a home, look for a buyer's agent who has at least two years of full-time real estate experience. Otherwise, you're just a guinea pig.

Seller's agent: Selling, on the other hand, is a bit more complicated. You want an agent who's been working full time for a minimum of four years.

Believe it or not, the typical real estate agent has a median experience of eight years.¹ And if an agent has 10 or more years under their belt, you can trust that they've sold in the best and worst of times.

What real estate certifications should an agent have?

Okay, there are several fancy-sounding certifications and specializations a real estate agent may have, depending on their area of expertise. We'll break down some of the most common ones. Hope you like acronyms!

CRS (Certified Residential Specialist): awarded to top-performing agents (highest credential)

ABR® (Accredited Buyer Representative): given to professionals who have completed specific training for representing buyers in a real estate transaction

ASR® (Accredited Seller Representative): given to professionals who have completed specific training for representing sellers in a real estate transaction

SRES® (Seniors Real Estate Specialist): given to those who have completed training to help buyers and sellers over the age of 50

Realtor®: given to members of the National Association of Realtors (NAR)

You shouldn't choose an agent based solely on their certifications, but knowing what kind they have and what exactly they mean can give you confidence that your agent is qualified at helping people in your particular situation.

3. Make Sure They Know Your Local Real Estate Market

General real estate experience is a big factor, but it's equally important that your agent has helped people buy and sell lots of homes in your area. If you live in Birmingham, Alabama, you want an agent who knows what the real estate market is like in Birmingham. It doesn't do you much good if they know all about real estate in a suburb or a town an hour away.

Here's what to look for to determine whether or not the agent you're interviewing has the local expertise you want:

Do they close a lot of homes?

By "a lot," we mean dozens of houses. This is where the experts really shine. Trust us, you don't want to hire your Aunt Nancy who sold three homes last year. You'll regret it, and that's the kind of drama you don't want at Thanksgiving dinner.

Find a seasoned real estate agent who either closes at least 35 homes a year or more homes than 90% of the agents in their market. It takes hard work and a good reputation to get that kind of business. A high-volume agent like that eats, sleeps and breathes real estate. Now, that's who you want!

If you're selling your house, an agent who is that successful can afford to provide a full marketing plan and may even hire extra support to make sure home sales don't miss a beat.

When it comes to buying a house, working with an agent who's an expert negotiator ensures you aren't overpaying on your new place. A high-volume agent also has access to many available homes and may even know about homes before they hit the market.

Are they invested in your local community?

Obviously, an agent who's sold a lot of homes in your area has proven expertise. But you want an agent who does more than just rattle off facts. They should have personal ties to your community and understand what makes your particular corner of the world special. Do you live in a hot market? That makes it even more important to work with an agent who gets it!

4. Check the Real Estate Agent's Track Record

It's important to know that your agent is a top performer. You're looking for an agent who prices homes accurately and then gets them to the closing table. A few key metrics can help you know their skill level in these areas.

How accurate is their pricing?

It doesn't take much to figure this out. Ask an agent the average asking price and final sales price of the homes they've listed. Then divide the final price by the asking price. This number—also known as the sale-to-list ratio—can help you predict how accurately your agent prices the homes they sell.

The closer an agent's sale-to-list ratio is to 100%, the more accurate their pricing—and the better the chance of getting the asking price for your house. A ratio over 100% means an agent consistently gets above the asking price on homes they sell.

Now, if you're buying a home, you can evaluate the sale-to-list ratio on the homes an agent helps clients purchase as well, which is a good indicator of how well they will negotiate on your behalf. For this ratio, a number below 100 means a buyer's agent consistently gets below asking price on home purchases.

Find out how long it typically takes them to close a home.

There's no guarantee that the agent will be able to help you buy or sell a home within a certain time frame. But having an idea of what to expect can be helpful, especially if you're selling a house. If you're trying to sell your home on a tight timeline, you want to choose an agent who will work hard to get it sold quickly.

5. Learn About Their Customer Service

A real estate agent talks with two clients.

If you're entrusting a real estate agent with helping you buy or sell a home, you shouldn't have to wait five days for them to return your phone call or respond to a text. These are the questions you need to ask to make sure they're going to be by your side through every step of the process.

How do they communicate with their real estate clients?

Communication is key in any real estate transaction. If your agent isn't responding to you in a reasonable amount of time and it's costing you opportunities, you and your agent are missing out!

You need a real estate agent who is both highly responsive and honest to a fault. Look for someone who can be blunt in the nicest way possible. The last thing you want is an agent who will give you false expectations about your home. Whether you like it or not, it's in your best interest for them to call it like they see it.

Do you have options if you're unhappy with the job they're doing?

Be wary of agents who lock you into a lengthy contract that they can get out of—but you can't. If you're required to sign a contract, ask your agent if you can cancel without a penalty if you're not satisfied with their service. And be aware that some agents charge a termination fee to cover out-of-pocket marketing expenses.

Talk with their past clients.

Want to know the good, the bad and the ugly? Nothing beats talking to a former client about their personal experience with an agent! When you interview real estate agents, make sure they provide a list of past clients for you to contact.

6. Interview at Least Three Real Estate Agents

Consider this a real interview! These types of questions will help you spot the truly great agents and set the right expectations for the process:

How will you help me sell and/or buy a home in a competitive market?

Do I have to sign a contract with you? Can I cancel without penalty?

Who can I contact for a reference?

For a handy checklist full of even more important questions to ask, download our real estate agent interview worksheet!

Put your agent in the hot seat with these 10 questions.

Download your Agent Interview Worksheet and confidently choose the best agent for you.

If there are other things you want to know, now is the time to ask. Don't be afraid to speak up! A great agent will patiently and thoroughly answer any question you have because they want you to have all the information you need to make a confident decision.

7. Hire Someone You Actually Like

Expertise matters, but chemistry also matters with home sales. This is a person you're going to spend a great deal of time with over the next couple months. Even if the real estate agent you're considering checks all the right boxes of what an agent should do, you still need to ask yourself: Is this someone I like and trust?

You don't have to be best friends with your agent. In fact, it's probably better if you're not. But you do need to gel with them, so to speak.

Do they make you feel even more stressed than you were before? Do they seem to be dodging your questions and running around like a chicken with their head cut off?

The right agent will make sure you understand the process and carefully answer any questions you have without adding any stress to the mix.

Find the Best Real Estate Agent for You

You don't have to look far to find a real estate agent to help you buy or sell a home. Chances are, you already know a few in your area. But with so much money on the line, it's important to really consider your options to find the best agent for you.

If you want a high-performance real estate agent, try our Endorsed Local Providers (ELP) program. These agents have high standards of customer service, and they know exactly what it takes to help you buy or sell a home. We only recommend the best of the best.

It's free to get connected, so you can find the agent that's right for you. Don't settle when it comes to choosing an agent to represent you.

Find your agent!

Interested in becoming an Endorsed Local Provider? Let us know.

Ramsey Solutions

About the author

Ramsey Solutions

Ramsey Solutions has been committed to helping people regain control of their money, build wealth, grow their leadership skills, and enhance their lives through personal development since 1992. Millions of people have used our financial advice through 22 books (including 12 national bestsellers) published by Ramsey Press, as well as two syndicated radio shows and 10 podcasts, which have over 17 million weekly listeners.