What should I look for in a Realtor?
Picking a realtor is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make before you even look at a house. The right one can save you tens of thousands of dollars and a lot of stress. The wrong one can cost you both.
I've spent about 25 years in real estate as an agent, property manager, builder, and flipper. Here's what I'd tell a friend who asked me how to choose, and why I think I'm a good fit for a certain kind of client.
The Short Answer
Hire experience, not a discount
Find someone local, full time, and who has been in your shoes many, many times over
Expect fast, frequent communication
Look for an advisor, not a salesperson
Bonus points if they think like an investor
There's no one-size-fits-all agent. But there are a few things every good one has in common.
Don't Shop for a Discount
In my experience, the vast majority of agents charge about the same. So if the price is basically a wash, why wouldn't you hire the person with the most experience?
You Get What You Pay For
The agents who work for less usually work for less for a reason. Cheaper often means less time, less attention, and less skill at the negotiating table.
A Soft Negotiator Is Soft Everywhere
Here's the part most people miss. If an agent caves the moment you ask for a discount on their commission, think about what that tells you. That's the same person who will be negotiating the price of your house.
If they're easily talked out of their own money, they'll be easily talked out of yours too.
Hire Someone Who's Been in Your Shoes
There's a big difference between an agent who has done a few deals and one who has seen your exact situation over and over. Look for three things:
Local: they know the neighborhoods, the streets, and the people, not just the zip codes
Full time: real estate is their job, not a side gig squeezed in after work
Experienced: they've been in your shoes many, many times over
The Client Who Hired Me Over His Own Mother
This is one of my favorite stories. A client of mine had a mother who was a licensed real estate agent. He could have hired her. He hired me instead.
Here's what happened. We sold his home in one day, over asking price. Then we bought his new home, right across the street, for $50k off list price. That purchase was a for-sale-by-owner deal, in a hot market.
In a hot market, most buyers are fighting just to get to list price. Getting $50k off on a FSBO takes knowing how to work with sellers who don't have an agent, how to structure the offer, and when to push. That's not something you pick up in your first year.
I'm not saying never hire family. I'm saying hire the most experienced person for the job, even when it makes Thanksgiving a little awkward.
Expect Fast, Frequent Communication
Speed is often the whole game in real estate. A great house can come and go in a weekend. An offer can live or die on how quickly someone responds.
So I communicate frequently and often. Even when the update is "no update yet," you'll hear it from me. Silence makes people nervous, and nervous clients make worse decisions.
When you interview agents, pay attention to how fast they get back to you before you've signed anything. It rarely gets better after.
Look for an Advisor, Not a Salesperson
I won't talk you into any home. But I will talk you out of one.
That's the biggest difference between an advisor and a salesperson. A salesperson wants you to buy something. An advisor wants you to buy the right thing, even if that means waiting.
Every Pro and Every Con
I'm transparent about every home we look at. You'll get the good, the bad, and the stuff the listing photos don't show. My job isn't to make the decision for you. It's to make sure you have everything you need to make an educated decision about what works for you.
Your Goals, Not Mine
Buying or selling a home takes your commitment and your leadership. I'm there to help you reach your goals, not to hit a sales target of my own.
Bonus Points If They Think Like an Investor
Your home is probably your biggest financial decision. It should be treated like one.
My advice is backed by 20 years of investor experience. I've written three books on money and real estate, including House FIRE: Financial Independence, Retire Early. That lens shows up in every home I walk through with a client.
What That Looks Like in Practice
Spotting how to make your home your best financial decision
Pointing out areas where you can increase equity
Flagging projects to avoid because they won't pay you back
Pinpointing repairs and maintenance items that are coming soon, before they surprise you
My Contractor Rolodex
After years as a builder, flipper, and investor, I've built a deep bench of contractors. When something needs to be done, I can connect you with people who do good work at a good price. That's one less thing you have to figure out on your own.
Who I'm Not the Right Agent For
I'd rather be honest up front than waste your time. I'm probably not your guy if:
You want someone to sell you on a price just to win your listing. You know the type. They promise a sky-high number, the house sits, and then the calls start begging for price drops. That's a waste of your time, and I won't do it.
You want an agent to drive your home search for you. If you're looking for someone to push you into offers or rush you into quick decisions, that's not me.
I'm not a sales hustler. I'm an advisor. This works best when you're committed and leading the way toward your own goals, and I'm the experienced partner helping you get there.
So, What Should You Look for in a Realtor?
Look for experience over a discount. Look for someone local, full time, and who has been in your shoes many, many times over. Look for fast, frequent communication, honest pros and cons, and an advisor who will talk you out of the wrong house. And if you can, find one who thinks like an investor.
If that sounds like what you're after, let's talk. I'll give you the straight story on your goals, your options, and what it will take to get there.