How to Select a Real Estate Agent: A Practical Guide for Buyers and Sellers

Choosing a real estate agent is a decision about fit, communication, and process—not just a name, a sign, or a first impression. Whether you are buying your first home, moving within the Twin Cities, or preparing to sell, take time to compare more than one candidate. The right Realtor should help you understand the decisions ahead, explain their role clearly, and give you information you can use.

What to Look for When Choosing a Realtor

• A current real estate license and an ability to explain the services they provide. If REALTOR® membership matters to you, ask directly rather than assuming.
• Relevant experience with your type of transaction, price range, property type, and location. Experience is most useful when the agent can describe a repeatable process without overpromising an outcome.
• Clear communication expectations: who will be your main contact, how updates are shared, and how quickly the team generally responds during active negotiations or deadlines.
• Preparation and local knowledge: an agent should be ready to discuss comparable properties, neighborhood factors, market conditions, and the limits of the information available.
• A collaborative working style. You should feel comfortable asking questions, disagreeing, and taking time to make an informed decision.
• Transparent compensation and service terms. Request written explanations of fees, commissions, agreements, and any possible costs before you commit.

Interview Questions That Reveal an Agent's Process

A good interview is less about finding a perfect script and more about learning how the person works. Ask each candidate the same core questions so you can compare answers fairly.

1. 1What types of clients and transactions do you work with most often, and how does that relate to my goals?
2. 2What would your first two weeks working with me look like?
3. 3Who will handle showings, offers, feedback, and deadline coordination if you are unavailable?
4. 4How do you prepare a buyer for an offer or a seller for pricing, marketing, and showings?
5. 5How will you help me evaluate comparable homes, inspection findings, contingencies, and changing market conditions?
6. 6How do you communicate updates, and what response time should I reasonably expect?
7. 7What agreements would I be asked to sign, what do they cover, and when should I review them?
8. 8Can you provide references or examples of how you have helped clients make informed decisions in situations similar to mine?

Agency and Representation: The Basics to Understand

Representation describes the relationship between a real estate professional and the people in a transaction. Depending on the arrangement and applicable rules, an agent may represent a buyer, represent a seller, work with a client in a limited capacity, or have duties that differ from the other side of the transaction. The exact terminology and requirements can vary by state and by the agreement you sign.

Before sharing sensitive financial information or strategy, ask who the agent represents, what fiduciary or other duties apply, whether the brokerage could be involved with both sides, and how any potential conflict is handled. Read agency disclosures and representation agreements carefully. This is general educational information, not legal advice; for advice about your rights or a contract, consult a qualified attorney or the appropriate state licensing authority.

Warning Signs to Take Seriously

• Pressure to sign before you understand the agreement, compensation, cancellation terms, or scope of services.
• Promises about a sale price, timeline, offer outcome, or future appreciation that cannot be supported or guaranteed.
• Vague answers about who represents whom, how the brokerage is paid, or who will actually do the work.
• A plan built around a single number or opinion without comparable-property context, tradeoffs, or room for questions.
• Poor follow-through during the interview stage, especially when deadlines and communication are central to your needs.
• Dismissiveness about inspections, disclosures, financing, contingencies, or your request for independent advice.

Side-by-Side Real Estate Agent Comparison Checklist

Use a simple written comparison after each interview. Notes made while the conversation is fresh can be more helpful than trying to rely on a general impression later.

What Buyers Should Prioritize

Buyers often benefit from an agent who can turn a broad search into a manageable plan. Ask how they will help you clarify criteria, review listings, coordinate showings, prepare an offer, and navigate inspection and financing milestones. If you are considering a neighborhood with particular concerns—such as an HOA, waterfront access, commute patterns, or school attendance boundaries—ask how the agent will help you verify information with appropriate sources rather than relying on assumptions.

What Sellers Should Prioritize

Sellers need a clear plan for preparation, pricing, presentation, marketing, showings, offer review, and closing coordination. Ask a prospective listing agent to explain how they develop a recommended price range from recent comparable properties, what feedback they will provide after showings, and how they would revisit the plan if market response differs from expectations. You should also understand which services are included and which decisions remain yours.

Next Steps: Make a Deliberate Choice

1. 1Write down your goals, timing, property needs, and communication preferences before contacting agents.
2. 2Interview at least two candidates when practical, using the same core questions.
3. 3Request and review the proposed agreement, disclosures, and compensation information before signing.
4. 4Check references and clarify anything that remains unclear, including who will be your day-to-day contact.
5. 5Choose the professional whose process, explanation, and working style best support an informed decision.