Most buyers only interview one agent before committing, which makes the first conversation more important than people realize. I’m Robbie English, REALTOR, Broker with Uncommon Realty, and here’s how to actually find someone worth that one conversation.
Start With Referrals, But Verify Them
A personal referral from someone who actually closed a deal with an agent is a stronger signal than online reviews or advertising, since it reflects real experience rather than a curated pitch. But a referral is a starting point, not a substitute for your own vetting. Ask the person referring you what specifically went well: was it responsiveness, negotiation, handling a difficult inspection, or something else that matters to your situation but might not matter to theirs.
Check Credentials That Actually Signal Something
A broker’s license means someone has met additional education and experience requirements beyond a standard agent license. Designations like ABR (buyer representation), SRS (seller representation), or PSA (pricing strategy) require real coursework, not just a fee, and each maps to a specific skill relevant to your transaction. None of these guarantee a good experience on their own, but they’re a more concrete signal than years of vague “experience.”
Judge the First Conversation Carefully
How an agent handles your first call or meeting is a reasonable preview of how they’ll handle your transaction. Are they actually listening to your specific situation, or running through a generic script? Do they ask about your timeline, budget, and priorities before pitching their services? An agent who’s genuinely curious about your situation in the first conversation tends to communicate the same way once you’re under contract.
Ask About Their Actual Local Track Record
General years of experience matter less than recent, specific activity in the neighborhoods and price range you’re targeting. An agent with twenty years of experience but no recent transactions in your target area knows less about current conditions there than an agent with five years who works that specific market constantly.
Watch for Red Flags
Be cautious of agents who push you toward a decision before understanding your situation, who can’t clearly explain how their compensation works, or who dodge specific questions about recent transactions with vague answers. A good agent should be comfortable being specific, since specificity is usually a sign of real experience rather than a rehearsed pitch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I interview more than one agent?
It’s reasonable to, even though most buyers only talk to one. A short conversation with two or three agents costs you little time and can reveal real differences in responsiveness and local knowledge.
Do real estate designations actually matter?
They require real coursework and testing, and each maps to a specific skill, so they’re a more concrete signal than vague claims of experience, though they’re not a substitute for checking an agent’s actual recent track record.
What’s the biggest mistake buyers make when choosing an agent?
Going with the first person suggested without asking what specifically made that referral’s experience good, or whether those priorities match your own situation.
If you want to talk through what you’re actually looking for before committing to an agent, that conversation costs you nothing and tells you a lot.
