Choosing the right agent.
Choose the agent who prices on real data, represents your interest specifically, and tells you the truth even when it is not what you want to hear. The commission matters less than whether they get you the right result. Here is how to tell them apart.
Updated July 11, 2026
Most people choose an agent because a friend used them, or because their face was on a sign. That is not a bad start, but it is not enough. The agent you pick shapes the biggest financial decision of your year. A few real questions are worth it.
Here is how I would evaluate any agent, including me. If someone checks these boxes, you are in good hands. If they do not, keep looking.
What does a good agent actually do for you?
Three things, really. They price on what has actually sold nearby, not on hope. They negotiate and write in the protections that keep you safe. And they keep you informed, so you are never guessing what happens next. Everything else is decoration.
Buyer or seller: who does the agent represent?
This is the question most people miss. The agent who listed a home works for the seller. Their job is to get the most for that seller, not for you. As a buyer, you want your own representative, someone whose job is to protect your money and your conditions.
What should I ask before I hire an agent?
- How did you arrive at this price? Show me the comparable sales.
- Who will you be representing in this transaction, me or the other side?
- How, and how often, will you keep me updated?
- What is your plan for my property, or my search, specifically?
- How are you paid, and what do I owe, if anything?
What are the red flags?
- The highest number in the room. An agent who promises the top price to win your listing, with no data behind it, is buying your business, not earning it.
- Vague answers on strategy. If they cannot explain how they will price, market or negotiate, they have not thought about it.
- Slow or unclear communication before you have even signed. It rarely gets better after.
- Pressure to decide today. A good agent is fine with you thinking it over.
How much does an agent cost, and who pays?
Commission is usually paid by the seller from the sale proceeds, and often shared with the buyer's representative. As a buyer, that often means you owe nothing directly, but the arrangements vary, so ask up front and get it in writing. Never choose an agent on price alone. A cheaper agent who gets you a worse result is the most expensive one.
Does 'biggest' or 'most experienced' matter?
Some. Local knowledge and a real track record help. But the biggest name on the billboard is not automatically the best fit for your street or your situation. What matters is whether they know your market, tell you the truth, and give your file real attention. Fit beats fame.
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Frequently asked questions
Should I interview more than one agent?
Yes, if you can. Two or three short conversations tell you a lot about who prices on data, who communicates, and who you trust. It is your biggest transaction; a few conversations are worth it.
Can the same agent represent me and the seller?
Here, an agent can work with both sides under specific rules, but then no one is fully in your corner. If you want someone protecting your interest alone, choose your own representative.
Is the cheapest commission the best deal?
Rarely. What you keep at the end depends on the result, not the rate. A slightly higher commission that sells for more, or buys for less, leaves you ahead.
Sources
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This guide is general information to help you make sense of things, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules change and every situation is different, so confirm anything that affects a decision with the right professional, a notary, lawyer, accountant, or mortgage broker, or reach out and I'll point you the right way.
