Hiring a real estate agent is like hiring a general contractor: the wrong one costs you money and peace of mind. Most people pick the first name their cousin used. That's a mistake. You need someone who actually works for you, not just someone who smiles at open houses.
What to Look For
Look for an agent who has sold at least a dozen homes in your specific neighborhood or price range in the past year. General experience means little if they don't know the local market. Check that they return calls within a few hours during the week. You want someone who treats your sale like their only job, not a side hustle. Good agents have a system for pricing, showings, and negotiating before you even ask.
Questions to Ask
Ask how many buyers they're currently working with. If it's more than five, your deal won't get their full attention. Ask how they handle multiple offers and what their plan is if your home doesn't sell in the first month. A vague answer means they don't have a plan. Ask for the names of the last three clients who will let you call them. Then actually call them. Talk to the sellers, not just the buyers. Sellers know the truth about how hard this person works.
Red Flags
Watch out for anyone who pressures you to sign a long listing agreement right away. Six months is standard. Anything longer is a trap. Avoid agents who promise a price higher than everyone else just to get your business. That's a lie to make you sign. Walk away from anyone who can't explain their marketing strategy in plain English. If they talk about 'next-level exposure' without showing you actual examples of ads or open houses, they're selling smoke.
How Ratings Help You Choose
Online ratings are useful but only as a starting point. Ignore anonymous five-star reviews without detail. Focus on reviews that mention specific things like speed of communication, negotiation skill, or how they handled a tough buyer. A rating of 4.5 stars with twenty detailed reviews beats a perfect 5.0 from five people you can't verify. Use ratings to build a shortlist, then do the real vetting with questions and phone calls.
To skip the guesswork, compare local real estate agents on RatingsNearMe.