How to Find a Real Estate Agent You Can Trust

These are some of the best methods for how to find a real estate agent:

• Use a service that finds the right agent for you: These services connect you with vetted agents who have relevant experience for your home sale or purchase. Use our service to find top agents near you.
• Ask family and friends for recommendations: People you trust can often refer you to agents they've had a good experience with.
• Get referrals from your loan officer: Loan officers frequently work with real estate agents and can recommend professionals they know are reliable and effective.

Most people (81% of sellers and 75% of buyers) commit to the first real estate agent they interview.[1] But we recommend talking to at least 2–3 agents to ensure you find the best fit.

Here's a detailed guide on where to find real estate agents, how to choose the right realtor for you, and which red flags to watch out for.

How to find a good realtor

To find an agent who fits your needs, you can use an agent finder, ask for referrals from people you trust, or research options online.

1. Use an agent-finding service

Agent finders (also called agent matching services) offer a convenient way to find a great realtor. 

They have large networks of pre-screened local real estate agents, and they send you recommendations based on your criteria (buyer's agent, listing agent, familiarity with a certain price range or area, etc.).

You can easily compare agents' qualifications, sales history, and customer reviews — then schedule interviews to determine the best fit. If you don’t find an agent you like, you can usually request more matches or simply walk away.

Top-rated services like Clever Real Estate and Ideal Agent have strict standards for their agents, vetting them for experience, sales activity, past customer ratings, and ongoing performance. They also offer built-in commission savings, such as discounted listing fees for sellers and cash back at closing for buyers.

🏅 Top agent finding services

2. Ask family and friends

When a referral comes from a family member or close friend, you know you can trust the person doing the recommending — and a lot of people find an agent this way. About 40% of buyers and 38% of sellers find their agent through a friend, neighbor, or relative.[1]

Just make sure the agent has the type of experience you're looking for. A realtor who doesn't typically work in your neighborhood or price range is a bad choice — even if they come highly recommended.

"A common mistake is choosing a real estate agent solely based on a friend or family recommendation. The agent may not be well-versed in your local area or suitable for your needs, like they may have been for the referring party," says Dee Dee Miller, a NAR Regional Vice President.

Also, things could get awkward if the agent is a family member or friend. In a transaction as high stakes as a home sale, you should probably hire someone you’d be comfortable firing if they don’t meet your expectations.

3. Tap your loan officer

Loan officers in particular — but also builders, contractors, and property managers — tend to know a lot of local agents. They’re usually happy to provide names.

Like agents, lenders get paid only if you close on a home, so they have an incentive to refer you to an agent they trust. Plus, a good working relationship between your agent and lender can create a smoother real estate transaction for you.

However, a lender will probably only refer agents who refer clients to them, so your pool will be limited. Also, some lenders may care more about maintaining a business relationship with an agent than looking out for your best interests, so you'll still need to vet their recommendations.

What makes a good real estate agent?

To find a realtor that fits the bill, look for the following qualifications.

1. Active license

"Verify professional credentials through the state licensing board. Most states have licensing information online, which is searchable by the public," explains Miller. "When interviewing an agent, make sure to ask direct questions about their licensure."

To find your state’s real estate commission website, just Google “[Your State] real estate license lookup.” Then put the agent's name or brokerage in the site's lookup tool.

You’ll see key info like license status, expiration date, and any disciplinary actions.

2. Full-time status

Find an agent who works full time and sells at least 10 houses per year. You can find their sales history on Zillow or the agent's website. The agent can also show you their sales record on the MLS.

A mistake is "thinking that all real estate agents are created equal, and using a part-timer who is not experienced and can't negotiate or bring you to the closing table. Someone who's part-time cannot be [as] available to you," says Keller Williams realtor Karen Johnson.

3. Solid reputation

Consider the agent's reputation. Are they well-regarded among other real estate professionals?

Do customer reviews indicate that they're knowledgeable and on top of things? One or two bad reviews aren’t a big deal. But multiple bad reviews — or lack of any reviews — could be a red flag.

In reviews, look for details about "personalities, how they handle objections, how they negotiate for you, how they represent you, market knowledge, education, and ability to work well with others," says Johnson.

You can find reviews on Zillow, Realtor.com, Google, and Yelp.

4. Local market knowledge

Real estate is local, so it’s important to hire an agent familiar with the market. An agent who's up-to-speed should be able to tell you:

• The inventory of homes for sale in a given area
• How long properties are staying on the market
• How much buyers are paying relative to listing prices
• What challenges you may face given the level of competition in the market
• What leverage you may have as a buyer or seller
• Norms around structuring offers, such as waiving contingencies or asking for a credit to cover the buyer's agent commission
• What a home will realistically sell for based on comparable sales data

5. Relevant experience

Selling undeveloped land is a different ballgame than selling an urban condo. Look for an agent who has a track record of success dealing with situations similar to yours.

An agent's level of familiarity and experience with your particular neighborhood, property type, and price point will shine through when it comes to accurately valuing a property, pointing out potential issues, knowing what inspections to order, and anticipating hurdles as you move toward closing.

6. Fair commission rate

An agent should be upfront about their commission and what it covers. 

The current average commission rate in the United States is 2.88% for seller's agents and 2.82% for buyer's agents – with some agents charging as much as 4.00%. 

However, real estate commissions are negotiable, and plenty of top agents charge less. You can negotiate rates with your realtor directly, or look specifically for a brokerage offering better-than-average commission rates.

» LEARN: What real estate companies offer the best commission rates?

7. Marketing skills

Check each agent’s active and closed listings on sites like Zillow and Realtor.com, or ask them for listing photo examples. Look for clear, polished photos with good lighting and compelling listing descriptions that highlight each home’s key features. Some agents also offer premium services like home staging and drone photography.

How to choose a realtor

You can follow these steps to choose the right realtor:

Find agents through a trusted source. Use an agent-finding service or ask for recommendations from people you trust.

Research the agents. Check out each agent's online presence, sales history, and reviews. "Online reviews and ratings can provide insight into a realtor’s reputation," shares Miller. "Reviewing a realtor’s website, social media, and online presence is a good way to get a feel for what an agent will offer."

Pick at least 2–3 agents to interview. "Speak to a few agents. Definitely don’t just choose one. Usually, [potential clients] are speaking to at least two or three people," says Johnson.

Look for important qualities during the interview. You won’t know if an agent is a good fit until you talk to them. "Actually sit with them and speak to them face to face, and understand their market knowledge and experience," Johnson advises.

Ask for referrals to past clients — and follow up. "Ask for referrals," Johnson says. Then, after the interview, reach out to the clients the agent mentions. "Speak to people in that specific area that have dealt with that person before, because it is a people business."

Choose the agent who feels like the best match. Base your decision on what you’ve learned from your research and interviews. Consider each agent’s experience, communication style, and how comfortable you feel working with them.

What to look for during the interview

With any agent

During an interview, here's what to look for, whether you're buying or selling:

• They have a strong reputation, backed by online reviews and local references.
• They clearly explain their fees and what services are included.
• They’re professional, well-prepared, and easy to talk to during your meeting.
• You feel comfortable with their communication style and approach.
• They share relevant experience working with clients in situations like yours.
• They demonstrate knowledge of your neighborhood and price range.

With a buyer's agent

Here’s what to look for when you interview a buyer’s agent:

• They walk you through the buyer’s agency agreement and answer questions clearly.
• They explain their availability and how they handle showings and offer timelines.
• They outline the key steps in the buying process and how they’ll support you.
• They offer examples of how they’ve helped past clients win competitive offers.
• They show strong local knowledge, including schools, taxes, and zoning.
• They can provide a list of trusted contacts like lenders and inspectors.

With a seller's agent

Here’s what to look for when you interview a listing agent:

• They explain the listing agreement, including contract length, fees, and cancellation.
• They share their sales stats, such as average days on market and sale-to-list ratio.
• They walk you through a comparative market analysis and pricing strategy.
• They provide examples of marketing materials, including photos and listing descriptions.
• They suggest specific, cost-effective repairs to prepare your home for sale.
• They explain how they’ll evaluate offers and negotiate on your behalf.

⚡ Ready to find a great agent? Get tailored recommendations sent straight to your inbox. Compare agents from top discount brokerages, plus highly-rated realtors from major brands like Keller Williams and Century 21. Pay just 1.5% in listing fees or get cash back savings when you buy.

Realtor red flags

Buying or selling a home is a high-stakes transaction. You need an agent who has your best interests — and not just their commission — in mind. When evaluating agents, be sure to screen for these red flags.

• They rush or pressure you: Be cautious if an agent pushes you to sign a contract quickly, insists on moving fast without giving you time to think, or urges you to make offers or accept deals that don’t feel right.
• They don't respond with urgency: If an agent takes more than 24 hours to return calls or messages, that’s a problem — slow communication could cost you a home or a deal.
• They lack integrity or transparency: Watch out for agents who tell you only what you want to hear (like your house is worth more than comparable sales data supports), avoid hard truths, or gloss over potential issues (like those raised in a home inspection or appraisal) just to close a deal.

To get an accurate gauge, talk to a few different realtors to get their take on the market and what you need to be prepared for as a buyer or seller. A free agent-finding service can save you time by matching you with top local realtors without any pressure to commit.

How to find a real estate agent: FAQ

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