04/10/2026
How to Choose a Real Estate Agent (Hint: It’s Not the One With the Flashiest Car or Listing Presentation)
Most sellers choose an agent based on the wrong signals, such as a polished presentation, big personality, or a promise of a higher price than everyone else. While all of that may feel reassuring, none of it necessarily tells you how that agent will perform when the process gets uncomfortable, which is often where the outcome is decided.
A great listing presentation is not the same thing as a great listing strategy.
Here are the questions that matter far more than most people realize:
1. Can they tell you the truth even when it’s not what you want to hear?
Can they tell you your price is too ambitious? That certain upgrades may not pay off? Some agents are very good at winning the listing. Far fewer are good at protecting the seller. The best agent is not the one who always agrees with you. It’s the one who can tell you the truth without losing your trust.
2. Who is actually handling your listing after you sign?
Many sellers hire one person, only to discover later that showings, updates, or negotiations are being handled by someone else. That doesn’t mean teams are bad. It just means you should know exactly what you’re signing up for.
3. Do they have a pricing strategy — or just a price opinion?
Every agent can give you a number but what matters is whether they understand:
>buyer behaviour at different price points
>what the first 7–14 days are telling them
>when a price adjustment is strategic… not desperate
A smart agent doesn’t just tell you what the home is worth (buyers do). They tell you how the market is likely to react.
4. What’s their plan if the listing doesn’t pop immediately?
Every agent has a launch plan, but what happens when:
>the listing gets saves but no offers
>there’s traffic, but no conversion
>showings slow after week two
Every agent has a strategy for Day One. Fewer have a strategy for Day Twenty-One.
5. Can they explain their advice in plain English? If an agent can’t clearly explain:
>why they want to price at one number over another
>why they recommend staging
>why they want to hold offers (or not)
>why they recommend a price change
…that should concern you. Real expertise should sound clear. Not complicated.
6. How do they negotiate when the deal gets messy?
Every agent says they’re a “strong negotiator.” That phrase means almost nothing. A better question is: What do you do when the deal is not clean, not competitive, and not straightforward because negotiation is not just about pushing harder. It’s about judgment.
7. Are they tailoring the strategy to your property — or using the same playbook on everyone? Not every property needs the same plan. If the advice feels overly generic, it probably is.
When interviewing agents, go beyond the obvious. Take your time and have a real conversation. The right questions will tell you far more than the nicest brochure ever will.
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