How to Find a Real Estate Agent

6 steps to find a real estate agent

Real estate agents can help make buying or selling a home much less stressful. Your real estate agent can help you find the right home, get the price you want and manage the back-and-forth between the buyer, seller and even your mortgage broker.

While you can technically buy or sell a home without an agent and save money, most people will benefit from having a professional on their team for the largest purchase of their lives.

“The real estate landscape can be tricky, and having a knowledgeable agent from the start can save time, money and headaches,” said Brett Johnson, a licensed real estate agent and the owner of Cash For House Pro, a real estate investment company in Denver.

Here’s how to find the right agent for you.

Step 1: Start with your network and referrals

Your first move when looking for a real estate agent should be to get referrals from trusted friends, family members, coworkers or neighbors. If you know someone who has bought or sold a home and had a great experience, ask them for a recommendation.

Look for referrals from people who have had experiences similar to what you’re planning, whether it's buying, selling, relocating or purchasing an investment property. Follow up by asking questions such as:

• What did you like about the agent?
• How well did they communicate?
• Would you work with them again?

Referrals can help you narrow your search to agents with proven track records.

Step 2: Use online directories and agent-finding platforms

If you don’t know anyone who has bought or sold recently, try a few respected online sources.

Start with major, trusted sites like Realtor.com, Zillow, Redfin and the National Association of Realtors (NAR) member directory. These resources will give you a list of agents in your area to interview. You can also Google “real estate agent near me” to find some options (preferably with unbiased online reviews).

Most platforms list whether an agent is a licensed Realtor, but you can double-check by searching your state’s real estate licensing database. This helps confirm the agent’s license is active and shows whether any disciplinary actions have been filed.

Here’s how to use these tools effectively:

1. Search by location: Enter your ZIP code or city to find agents who work in your area.
2. Filter your results: Narrow your list using filters such as recent sales, specialties (buyers, sellers, investors), languages spoken or years of experience.
3. Review agent profiles: Look at each agent’s bio, service areas, average price range and recent transaction history. Many sites show how many homes the agent closed in the past 12 months.
4. Check ratings and reviews: Compare feedback from recent clients. Pay attention to themes such as communication, responsiveness and negotiation ability rather than one-off complaints.
5. Shortlist promising agents: Save or bookmark the top candidates. Aim for three to five agents to contact for interviews.

Step 3: Interview multiple agents

Once you’ve found a few good real estate agent candidates, you’ll want to interview them to make sure they fit your needs.

Here are some questions you should ask a potential real estate agent before hiring them.

• How long have you been a full-time agent? It’s important to understand your agent’s level of experience and how much support they can offer you.
• How many homes have you helped clients buy and sell over the last 12 months? If your agent hasn’t been active recently, they may not have a current feel for the market and might not get you the best deal.
• How many clients do you have? If they have too many clients, you might not get as much one-on-one attention. But if they have very few clients, this could be a red flag.
• How long does it typically take you to buy/sell a home? This helps you gauge how efficient your agent is. If they take too long, you could miss out on a deal. And if they don’t have an answer for you, this can be cause for concern.
• How do you get paid? Ask for a very clear explanation of how your agent is compensated. Make sure they are fair with their commission rate and don’t have any hidden fees.
• How do you help clients get the best deal? You want a detailed answer that builds your confidence in the agent’s process.

Step 4: Narrow it down to agents who fit your goals and values

After the interviews, it’s time to narrow down your options. To do this, think about what matters most to you. Choose the agent who:

• Specializes in your type of transaction (first-time buyer, seller, investment, luxury, etc.)
• Understands your preferred neighborhoods and price range
• Communicates clearly and responds quickly
• Has experience winning bids or negotiating strong deals in your market

It’s okay to move on if an agent doesn’t feel like the right match. This relationship should feel supportive and comfortable.

Step 5: Check credentials, sales history and online reviews

Verifying your top candidates’ credentials is just as crucial as assessing your rapport with them. Be sure to check each one’s licensing status, recent sales in your area, experience with homes in your price range and reviews from past clients. This step helps confirm that the agent has the skills and experience you need.

Step 6: Make your choice and sign an agreement

Once you find an agent who checks all your boxes, you’ll usually sign a listing agreement (for sellers) or a buyer’s agency agreement (for buyers). This outlines the terms of your working relationship. Make sure you read it carefully before signing and ask questions about anything unclear.

Types of real estate professionals

There are different types of real estate agents who serve both buyers and sellers. When choosing a real estate agent, be sure to find one who fits your situation.

• Buyer’s agent: A buyer’s agent represents the homebuyer in a real estate transaction. A buyer’s agent will help clients find their new home, write offers, review comparable homes (“comps”), negotiate with the seller and complete the home purchase process.
• Listing agent: A listing agent, or seller’s agent, helps you list your home for sale, suggests improvements or repairs to get it “sale ready,” prepares marketing for the listing, helps you negotiate with buyers and walks you through the sales process.
• Dual agent: A dual agent is a real estate agent who represents both the buyer and seller. This presents a conflict of interest, but it can save money on closing costs and speed up the process.
• Luxury real estate agent: Luxury real estate agents focus exclusively on high-end homes that are typically worth millions of dollars. These agents have experience working with high-net-worth individuals.
• Commercial real estate agent: Commercial real estate agents help businesses and investors find commercial properties to buy or help owners sell their commercial properties.

Realtor vs. real estate agent

Both real estate agents and Realtors help people buy and sell properties. The main difference is that a Realtor is registered as a member of the NAR.

To join NAR, you need to be a licensed real estate agent and belong to a local real estate association. Membership requirements vary by state.

Real estate agent vs. broker

A real estate agent may be affiliated with a larger real estate company. A real estate broker is a real estate agent who is independent and does not work directly with any specific company, except perhaps their own. Brokers are like small business owners and may employ real estate agents.

Transaction coordinator

While technically not real estate agents, transaction coordinators perform important administrative tasks related to real estate transactions and serve as liaisons among all parties, including buyers, sellers, real estate agents, and the escrow company. Their job is to make sure all paperwork is completed and submitted on time.

» MORE: How to sell and buy a house at the same time

What do real estate agents do?

“Real estate agents wear many hats,” said Johnson. “They are a negotiator, marketer, researcher and problem-solver. Real estate agents can help find the perfect property, set the right price and navigate complex contracts.”

If you are buying a home, an agent can give you insight into what you can realistically afford, what areas to look in and the types of homes that fit your wants and needs.

If you are selling your home, a listing agent can guide you through the steps before listing and help present your home to buyers in the best possible light. This can net you more money in the long run.

What real estate agents can do for buyers

“For buyers, real estate agents bring market insights, access to listings and negotiation skills to help them find the best match,” said Johnson. Here’s a breakdown of a few of the services that real estate agents provide for buyers.

• Finding a home: Your agent should help you find the perfect home, taking into account the area you want to live in, the type of home you want and your price range. They should regularly send a list of homes to consider.
• Scheduling home showings: This may mean finding an open house or scheduling a private appointment.
• Advising on potential homes: Your agent should know the market well and provide insight into the homes you are interested in. They should be able to tell you about the area, spot potential issues and help you understand if the list price is fair.
• Submitting offers: Once you choose a home to buy, your agent should help you complete an offer.
• Negotiating the deal: Your agent can advise on which points to negotiate aggressively and which to avoid worrying about.
• Helping complete the purchase: Once your offer is accepted, your agent should help you complete the required paperwork and walk you through the steps to close on the home.

What real estate agents can do for sellers

For listing agents, the tasks are a bit different. “Sellers benefit from real estate agents’ expertise in pricing, marketing strategies and showcasing their property's best features,” Johnson said. Here are their main roles:

• Advising on updates: Listing agents should tell you which updates or repairs are needed to make your home marketable. They might have local contacts who can provide the recommended services.
• Helping set the right price: Listing agents should know the market well and help list your home at a price that helps it sell quickly and is close to the amount you want.
• Marketing the home: Listing agents help stage the home, take photos and list it on a multiple listing service. They should also help draft the listing description for your property.
• Scheduling showings and open houses: Your listing agent should be in charge of scheduling any showings or open houses for your home. They will also host open houses.
• Negotiating with buyers: Listing agents can help you negotiate the sale of your home. This may include advice about the home’s price and any contingencies.
• Helping close the deal: Your listing agent should help you complete the sale and any closing documentation.

How much do real estate agents cost?

Real estate agents work on commission. This commission varies by agent, but on average, you’ll pay 5% to 6% of the total home price in commission to agents. The commission is typically paid for by the seller, and the buyer’s agent and seller’s agent split it. So your agent will get roughly half of the commission, or around 2.5% to 3% total.

For example, if you’re buying a $400,000 home, the seller might pay 6% of the total home price to the agents, with your agent getting 3%, or $12,000.

How to save on real estate agent fees

You can save money by working with a lower-cost agent (but you might get subpar service), or you could not hire an agent and avoid paying the commission altogether. But unless you’re experienced at buying or selling real estate, you might overpay for a home when buying or not get what it’s worth when selling if you don’t work with an agent.

Another way to avoid real estate agent fees when selling your home is to use an iBuyer service (selling your home to a company). But keep in mind that an iBuyer’s offer might be lower than what you can get from an individual buyer on the open market.

» MORE: What are seller concessions?

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