The Role of Real Estate Agents in the Home Buying Process

When you’re buying a home, having a good real estate agent on your side matters. I act as your guide, advocate, and sounding board through the whole process. The 2023 National Association of REALTORS’ “Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers” backs this up with some real numbers on how buyers actually use agents.

Most Buyers Use an Agent

Eighty-nine percent of buyers used a real estate agent or broker (I’m both, actually) to find their home. Only six percent went the route of negotiating directly with the seller. Most people still want someone in their corner for a purchase this big.

Finding the Right Home

The top reason buyers pick an agent is help finding the right home — fifty percent of buyers said that was their main priority. Forty-three percent chose an agent recommended by a friend, neighbor, or relative (I’m never too busy for your referrals). Word of mouth still carries a lot of weight in this business, and it says something about an agent’s track record when people keep sending their friends.

Repeat Clients

Thirteen percent of buyers went back to an agent they’d worked with before. That kind of repeat business only happens when the first experience actually went well, and it’s the clearest sign of whether an agent did right by their client.

Finding an Agent Online

A lot of home searches start online these days, including right here on robbieenglish.com. Seven percent of buyers found their agent through a specific property listing, and another seven percent found their agent through the agent’s own website. You can search my site as long as you want — I never make you register to look at homes. I’d rather work with people who see value in what I’ve built and want to work with me because of it.

Buyers Usually Stick With One Agent

Seventy-one percent of buyers worked with just one agent for their entire search. That tells you how much weight that first choice carries — most people find someone they trust early on and stay with them through the whole process.

Buyers Come Back

Ninety percent of buyers said they’d use their agent again or recommend them to someone else. That’s the number that matters most to me — it means the work holds up after the deal closes, not just during it.

Buying a home comes with real challenges, from negotiations to finding the right property, and having an agent who knows the process helps at every step. The numbers above show that the relationship usually outlasts the transaction itself — buyers come back, and they send their friends.

7 Things You Can Do With This Information

1. Ask around: Talk to friends, neighbors, and relatives about agents they’ve used. A personal referral is one of the best ways to find someone with a real track record.

2. Look for someone who knows how to find the right home: When you’re choosing an agent, ask how they’ll help you find a property that actually fits what you need, not just what’s listed.

3. Use online tools: Start your search on a site like robbieenglish.com where you can browse properties on your own time and get a feel for an agent before you ever call them.

4. Build a real relationship: Take the time early on to make sure you and your agent are on the same page. That trust matters through the whole process.

5. Stick with one agent: Once you’ve picked someone, work with them exclusively. It keeps communication simple and the search more focused.

6. Keep the relationship going: After closing, stay in touch with your agent for whatever comes next — buying, selling, or investing down the road.

7. Tell people about a good experience: If your agent did right by you, recommend them. It’s the best compliment you can give, and it helps other buyers find someone they can trust.

By following these, you can put what’s above to work and go into your own home search with more confidence.

For more information or if you would lke to talk about your real estate needs, feel free to reach out to me, Robbie English REALTOR and Broker at Uncommon Realty.