How Do I Find a Good Real Estate Agent?

What I've Learned After Helping More Than 350 Families Buy and Sell Homes

If you're planning to buy or sell a home, one of the first questions you'll likely ask is:

"How do I find a good real estate agent?"

It's a fair question. After all, most people only buy or sell a handful of homes in their lifetime. They don't know what makes one agent better than another, and frankly, many agents look very similar from the outside.

Everyone has a nice headshot.

Everyone says they care.

Everyone claims to negotiate well.

So how do you actually tell the difference?

After more than 15 years in real estate and helping over 350 families buy and sell homes, I've learned that the best agents are rarely the ones with the flashiest marketing. They're the ones who understand their clients, educate them throughout the process, and help them avoid costly mistakes.

A Good Agent Sees People, Not Transactions

One of the biggest red flags for me is an agent who sees their clients as transactions instead of people.

Every move has a story behind it.

A family moving for better schools isn't really moving for a school district. They're moving because they want opportunities for their children.

An investor isn't always chasing profit. Sometimes they're trying to build financial security for their family.

A seller isn't always downsizing because they want less house. Sometimes they're navigating retirement, divorce, relocation, or a major life transition.

The best agents take the time to understand the deeper "why."

And trust me, it matters.

I once worked with a retired couple who had been planning their move for more than a year. On the surface, their goal seemed simple: sell their home, move to a warmer and less expensive area, and live closer to their son.

But when the transaction hit a major obstacle and it looked like the deal might fall apart, the wife broke down crying.

What she was really afraid of wasn't losing a house.

She was afraid of losing time with her grandchildren.

That was the true motivation behind the move.

Once you understand what's really driving a client's decision, you can help them make better decisions throughout the process.

Beware of Agents Who Tell You What You Want to Hear

Not every agent will give you honest advice.

Some will tell you your home is worth more than it actually is just to win the listing.

Others will promise unrealistic timelines or outcomes.

If an agent seems too good to be true, they probably are.

One of the most important parts of my job is having difficult conversations when necessary.

Years ago, I worked with a homeowner whose three-bedroom house had effectively been converted into a two-bedroom home. One bedroom had been turned into a dining room, and upstairs modifications created a layout where you had to walk through one bedroom to reach another.

I explained that this would likely create appraisal and valuation issues and significantly reduce the home's value.

The seller wasn't thrilled with my recommendation. Rebuilding the room was inconvenient and expensive.

But I encouraged them to do it anyway.

Sure enough, when the home went under contract, the exact issue I had predicted came up.

Because they had addressed it ahead of time, they protected a substantial amount of equity that otherwise could have been lost. We're talking about a difference that approached six figures.

Sometimes a good agent isn't the one who tells you what you want to hear.

They're the one who helps you avoid a very expensive mistake.

Years in the Business Don't Always Equal Experience

One thing consumers often look at is how long an agent has been licensed.

I understand why.

But I actually think this can be misleading.

An agent can be licensed for 20 years and only sell a handful of homes.

Meanwhile, another agent may have been licensed for five years but successfully navigated hundreds of transactions, including inspections, appraisal issues, title problems, estates, relocations, multiple-offer situations, and financing challenges.

The better question isn't:

"How long have you been licensed?"

It's:

"What kinds of situations have you successfully helped clients navigate?"

Experience isn't measured in years. It's measured in repetitions.

Questions You Should Ask Before Hiring an Agent

If I were helping a family member choose an agent tomorrow, I'd encourage them to ask these questions:

What would you do in a multiple-offer situation?

Ask this from both the buyer and seller perspective.

An experienced agent should be able to explain their negotiation strategy clearly and confidently.

Do you hire a professional photographer for your listings?

Marketing matters.

Professional photography is one of the simplest investments an agent can make, and it often impacts how buyers perceive a property.

How many homes have you sold?

Not because higher numbers automatically make someone better, but because transaction volume often exposes agents to more situations and challenges.

What makes you a good agent?

This sounds simple, but it's revealing.

Can they clearly articulate their value?

Can they explain how they help clients succeed?

Or do they immediately start talking about themselves?

What Most People Don't Realize They're Paying For

Many consumers think agents spend their days opening doors, taking photos, putting signs in yards, and waiting for offers to magically appear.

Those are the visible parts of the job.

What most people don't see is everything happening behind the scenes.

Pricing strategy.

Negotiation.

Contract management.

Inspection issues.

Appraisal challenges.

Financing obstacles.

Title problems.

Coordinating attorneys, lenders, inspectors, contractors, and appraisers.

Managing timelines.

Reducing risk.

Helping people make major financial decisions with confidence.

In many ways, the biggest value a real estate agent provides is preventing problems before they happen.

The Biggest Lesson I Learned in My Career

Early in my career, I thought great service meant being available all the time.

I answered calls late at night.

Responded to every text immediately.

Kept my phone within reach constantly.

What I learned is that unlimited access doesn't necessarily create better service.

It often creates unrealistic expectations.

Eventually, I found myself anxious about missing a call, constantly checking my phone, and struggling to disconnect from work.

Today, I believe great service comes from communication, consistency, and clear expectations—not from being available 24 hours a day.

Clients deserve an agent who is focused, proactive, and organized.

Not one who's exhausted.

My Final Advice

If there's one thing I'd encourage consumers to look for, it's this:

Choose an agent who invests in themselves.

The real estate industry changes constantly.

Contracts change.

Market conditions change.

Financing programs change.

Consumer expectations change.

An agent who stopped learning two years ago is relying on outdated information.

The best agents are constantly improving their knowledge, refining their systems, and staying current on what's happening right now.

At the end of the day, a good real estate agent isn't someone who simply helps you buy or sell a home.

They're someone who helps you win.

And winning looks different for every client.

For some, it's getting top dollar.

For others, it's finding the right neighborhood.

For others, it's avoiding a costly mistake.

For that retired couple I mentioned earlier, winning meant getting closer to their grandchildren.

That's why choosing the right agent matters.

Because a home is never just a home.

There's always a story behind it.