Smart Steps to Vet Real Estate Agents and Avoid Costly Mistakes

Whether you’re buying your first home, selling a property, or investing in real estate, choosing the right real estate agent is a crucial step. A knowledgeable, trustworthy agent can help you navigate the market with confidence, while the wrong one could cost you time, money, and peace of mind. Here's how to vet real estate agents to ensure you partner with a true professional.

1. Understand Your Goals & Needs

Start by clarifying your objectives:

• Selling? Aim for top price, quick turnaround, strong marketing.

• Buying? Look for local expertise and a proven network.

• Decide if you want to work with an individual agent or team—clarify roles and communication expectations.

2. Do Your Online Homework

• Search for your city real estate agent to check local visibility.

• Review Google Business Profile, Yelp, Zillow, and social media.

• Pay attention to reviews—positive client experiences and frequent responses matter.

• Avoid agents promising unrealistically high prices or the lowest commission—they often deliver poor results.

3. Analyze Past Performance

• Who have they represented? How many listings and sales?

• Ask for recent sale prices vs. listing prices—look for transparency and results.

• Look for weekly updates and performance reports—that shows professionalism .

4. Interview Multiple Agents

Prepare these key questions from Investopedia’s checklist:

1. “How long have you been licensed? How many transactions in my area?”

2. “Do I work directly with you or a team?”

3. “What’s your marketing plan—open houses, ads, online?”

4. “What questions will you ask to find the right home for me?”

5. “What are contract terms, commission, exclusivity, and cancellation policy?”

6. “What’s your availability and preferred communication style?” 

5. Watch Their Style

Attend an open house or tour:

• Are they engaging attendees and following up?

• How do they showcase homes?

• Do they demonstrate negotiation skills—it matters if you plan to auction.

6. Check Credentials & Local Expertise

• Verify licenses and recent professional development.

• Look for specific neighborhood knowledge.

• Ensure consistency in their Name-Address-Phone (NAP) across platforms.

7. Marketing & Digital Presence

A good agent:

• Ranks well for searches like “real estate agent in your area".

• Maximizes Google Business Profile—with photos, keywords, and verified NAP.

• Has a strong website with content (neighborhood guides, blog posts) and schema markup for listings .

8. Focus on Communication & Personal Fit

• Reliable and timely communication is essential .

• Choose someone who “clicks” with you—their ethics and demeanor should fit your style .

• Feel empowered to exit if things aren’t a good fit.

9. Red Flags to Watch For

• Overpromising high sale prices or low commission.

• Lack of reporting or proof of previous successes.

• No testimonials or client references.

• Inconsistency in pricing or practices suggesting desperation .

10. Make an Informed Decision

• Review agents’ answers, track record, and web presence.

• Compare marketing strategies, rapport, and fees.

• Choose the agent who offers the best blend of results, transparency, communication, and fit.

Finding the right real estate agent can make all the difference in your buying or selling experience. Take the time to do your research, ask questions, and evaluate the fit. By knowing how to vet real estate agents, you’ll set yourself up for success in today’s competitive real estate market.