How to Choose a Realtor: Expert Tips for Making the Right Choice

Choosing the right realtor starts with verifying credentials, analyzing local market expertise, and conducting structured interviews that reveal communication style and negotiation skills. In 2025, the process has become more transparent following NAR settlement changes that altered commission structures and agent accountability.

The best realtors demonstrate proven track records in your specific neighborhood, provide detailed Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) reports, and communicate clearly about their fiduciary duties. Understanding what separates exceptional agents from average ones protects your financial interests and reduces transaction stress significantly.

Why Choosing the Right Realtor Matters
Qualifications to Look for When Choosing a Realtor
How to Interview Realtors (Step-by-Step)
How to Compare Realtors the Right Way
Red Flags When Choosing a Realtor
FAQ
Conclusion

Why Choosing the Right Realtor Matters

The real estate landscape shifted dramatically in 2024 following the National Association of Realtors settlement that changed how agent commissions work. These changes make selecting the right realtor more critical than ever for protecting your interests.

The right realtor saves you thousands through superior negotiation, prevents legal issues with proper disclosure handling, and reduces time on market. Poor agent selection costs buyers and sellers an average of 3–7% in lost value.

How NAR Rule Changes Affect Your Choice

The August 2024 NAR settlement eliminated automatic buyer agent commission offers in MLS listings. Buyers now negotiate agent compensation directly through buyer agency agreements signed before property tours. This transparency requires agents to clearly justify their value upfront.

According to Zillow Research, 68% of buyers in late 2024 reported confusion about new commission structures. Choosing an agent who explains these changes clearly and offers flexible compensation models has become essential for informed decision-making.

Market Performance Differences Between Agents

Redfin Data Center analysis from 2024 shows top-performing agents sell homes 12 days faster and achieve 2.3% higher sale prices compared to average agents in the same markets. For a $400,000 home, this translates to $9,200 in additional proceeds.

Buyer’s agents with strong negotiation records secured an average of $8,500 in seller concessions and closing cost credits in 2024 markets. These measurable outcomes demonstrate why agent selection directly impacts your financial results.

Expert Tip: Request specific performance metrics from any agent you interview. Ask for average days on market compared to MLS area averages, list-to-sale price ratios, and percentage of listings that sold above asking price in the past 12 months.

Qualifications to Look for When Choosing a Realtor

Professional credentials signal competence, but local expertise and proven results matter more than designations alone. The best realtors combine formal qualifications with demonstrated neighborhood knowledge.

Essential qualifications include active NAR membership, valid state license, proven local transaction history (10+ deals annually in your area), errors and omissions insurance, and specialized certifications relevant to your transaction type.

NAR Membership and Professional Designations

National Association of Realtors members must adhere to a strict Code of Ethics beyond state licensing requirements. This membership distinguishes Realtors from general real estate agents who hold licenses but don’t commit to professional standards.

Valuable designations include ABR (Accredited Buyer’s Representative) for buyer’s agents, CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) for experienced agents, and SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) for retirement transitions. These credentials require continuing education and proven transaction volume.

Local Market Track Record

An agent’s performance in your specific ZIP code matters more than citywide statistics. Request data showing transactions within a 2-mile radius of your target neighborhood. Agents with hyperlocal expertise understand school district boundaries, zoning changes, and micro-market pricing trends.

According to 2024 analysis, agents working consistently in specific neighborhoods achieve 15% better pricing accuracy than those spreading activity across wide geographic areas. This precision prevents overpricing that extends market time or underpricing that costs you money.

Professional Insurance and Legal Compliance

Every realtor should carry errors and omissions (E&O) insurance protecting against professional mistakes. Ask for proof of coverage and verify the policy remains current. This insurance safeguards you if documentation errors or missed disclosures create legal issues.

Check your state real estate commission website for disciplinary history. Any past violations, license suspensions, or formal complaints warrant serious questions during interviews. Clean regulatory records indicate consistent professional conduct.

Realtor Qualification Checklist:

Active state real estate license (verify through state commission)
Current NAR membership in good standing
Minimum 10 transactions annually in your target area
Errors and omissions insurance (request certificate)
Clean disciplinary record (check state commission database)
Relevant designations (ABR for buyers, CRS for sellers)
MLS access and membership verification
Professional references from recent clients

How to Interview Realtors (Step-by-Step)

Structured interviews reveal communication styles, expertise depth, and whether an agent’s approach matches your needs. Interview at least three agents before making your decision.

Prepare 10–15 specific questions covering market knowledge, communication frequency, marketing strategies, negotiation approach, and recent comparable sales. Record answers to compare objectively after all interviews conclude.

Essential Questions for Buyer’s Agents

Start with market expertise questions. Ask agents to describe current inventory levels in your target neighborhoods and identify the biggest challenges buyers face right now. Strong agents provide specific data referencing days on market trends and competition levels.

Question their buyer agency agreement terms explicitly. How do they structure compensation? What services are included? When can you terminate the agreement? Following the 2024 NAR changes, agents must present clear written terms before showing properties.

Ask about their showing process and offer strategy. How quickly can they arrange viewings? Do they preview properties before showing them to you? What research do they conduct before writing offers? Detailed answers demonstrate commitment to efficiency and thoroughness.

Critical Questions for Listing Agents

Request a preliminary marketing plan during the interview. What photography, staging, and advertising strategies do they recommend? How do they determine the optimal list price? Strong listing agents present detailed plans with examples from recent successful sales.

Ask specifically about their pricing methodology. Do they provide detailed CMA reports comparing recent sales, active listings, and expired listings? How do they adjust for property-specific features? Agents who rely solely on automated valuations lack the nuance needed for competitive pricing.

Discuss communication expectations clearly. How often will they provide updates? What metrics will they track and report? When will they recommend price adjustments if the property doesn’t sell quickly? Clear communication protocols prevent frustration during the listing period.

The Interview Framework Competitors Miss

Use this three-tier evaluation system during each interview. First, assess technical competence through market data questions and credential verification. Second, evaluate communication style—does the agent listen well or dominate conversation? Third, gauge cultural fit—do you feel comfortable asking questions and challenging their recommendations?

Mini-Case: Robert interviewed five agents before selling his home in suburban Chicago in 2024. He scored each agent 1–10 across six categories: local knowledge, communication clarity, marketing creativity, pricing accuracy, professional credentials, and personal rapport. The agent with the highest combined score sold his home for 4% above list price within 18 days.

How to Compare Realtors the Right Way

Objective comparison prevents decisions based solely on personality or persuasive sales pitches. Create a standardized evaluation framework before beginning interviews.

Compare agents using quantifiable metrics: average days on market, list-to-sale price ratios, transaction volume in your area, client references, marketing plan quality, and total costs including commission and additional fees.

Analyzing Marketing Plans Side-by-Side

Request written marketing plans from each listing agent candidate. Compare the specific platforms where they’ll advertise, the quality of their staging recommendations, and their professional photography standards. Generic plans that could apply to any property indicate lack of customization.

Examine their digital marketing sophistication. Do they use targeted social media advertising? Will they create dedicated property websites? How do they leverage video tours and 3D walkthroughs? According to NAR’s 2024 Member Profile, listings with professional video receive 403% more inquiries than those without.

Evaluating CMA Report Quality

Comparative Market Analysis reports reveal an agent’s analytical rigor. Strong CMAs include at least 10–15 comparable sales, adjust for property differences, and explain market trend impacts on pricing strategy.

Compare how different agents value identical property features. If one agent suggests listing $30,000 higher than another without clear justification, question their pricing methodology. Overpricing to win listings is a common tactic that ultimately extends market time.

Reference Check Framework

Contact at least two references from each agent’s recent client list. Ask specific questions about responsiveness, negotiation results, and unexpected challenges that arose. Did the agent handle problems professionally? Would they hire this agent again?

Pay attention to reference enthusiasm. Lukewarm endorsements like “everything was fine” signal mediocre service. Strong references volunteer specific examples of exceptional performance unprompted.

Expert Tip: Create a comparison spreadsheet before interviews with columns for each evaluation criterion. Score agents 1–5 on each factor during or immediately after interviews while impressions remain fresh. This objective approach prevents charisma from overriding competence.

Red Flags When Choosing a Realtor

Certain behaviors and claims signal problematic agents who may not serve your best interests. Recognizing warning signs early prevents costly mistakes.

Major red flags include guaranteed sale prices, pressure to sign exclusive agreements immediately, unwillingness to provide references, vague commission structures, limited availability for communication, and no recent transactions in your target area.

Pricing and Commission Transparency Issues

Agents who won’t clearly explain their commission structure before you ask multiple times are hiding something. Full transparency about costs should happen in the first conversation. Fees beyond standard commission like administrative charges, marketing fees, or transaction coordinators require upfront disclosure.

Listing agents who suggest prices significantly higher than market data supports may be “buying the listing.” They win your business with unrealistic expectations, then pressure you to reduce price after weeks without offers. This tactic wastes your time and can result in lower final sale prices than realistic initial pricing achieves.

Availability and Communication Concerns

Agents who take 24+ hours to return calls during your interview process will perform worse once you’re under contract. Responsiveness during courtship predicts service quality throughout your transaction. Real estate deals move quickly delayed responses cost opportunities.

Be cautious of agents managing 30+ active listings simultaneously. According to Redfin data from 2024, agent performance declines measurably above 25 concurrent clients. You need adequate attention, especially during critical negotiation periods.

Pressure Tactics and Contract Concerns

Agents pressuring you to sign exclusive agreements during first meetings lack confidence in their ability to earn your business through merit. Legitimate professionals welcome comparison shopping and provide time for due diligence.

Review buyer agency agreements and listing contracts carefully. Question any clause that seems unclear or overly restrictive. Agents who discourage you from reviewing terms with an attorney prioritize their interests over yours.

Red Flag Warning List:

Promises to sell for specific price without market analysis
Refuses to provide recent client references
No track record in your specific neighborhood
Pressures immediate exclusive agreement signing
Vague or evasive about commission and fees
Takes 24+ hours to respond during interview phase
Manages 30+ active listings simultaneously
Discourages attorney contract review
No professional errors and omissions insurance
Recent disciplinary actions or license issues

FAQ

How many realtors should I interview before choosing one?

Interview at least three agents to compare qualifications, strategies, and personalities effectively. More than five interviews typically provide diminishing returns unless you have highly specific or unusual requirements.

Can I work with multiple realtors as a buyer?

Technically yes, but buyer agency agreements now required before showings typically include exclusivity clauses for specific properties. Working with multiple agents simultaneously creates ethical and practical conflicts best avoided.

What’s a reasonable commission rate in 2025?

Listing commissions range 4–6% total, while buyer agent compensation averages 2–3%. Rates vary by market, property price, and services provided. Everything is negotiable based on circumstances and local market conditions.

Should I choose the agent who suggests the highest listing price?

No. Overpricing often indicates “buying the listing”—winning your business with unrealistic expectations. Choose agents who provide detailed market analysis supporting their pricing recommendations, even if those recommendations are lower.

How can I verify an agent’s sales claims?

Request MLS printouts showing their transaction history. Verify their license and credentials through your state real estate commission website. Check review platforms like Zillow and Realtor.com for client feedback patterns.

Conclusion

Choosing the right realtor requires systematic evaluation of credentials, local expertise, communication style, and proven performance metrics. The 2024 NAR settlement changes make understanding commission structures and agency agreements more important than ever.

Interview multiple agents, compare objective performance data, check references thoroughly, and trust your instincts about communication compatibility. The right realtor saves you thousands through superior negotiation and prevents costly mistakes through expertise and attention to detail.

Contact Annete Seaborn for a free realtor match consultation that connects you with pre-screened, top-performing agents in your local market.