Finding the right real estate agent is one of the most important steps in your home buying or selling journey. The right agent can help you avoid costly mistakes, negotiate better deals, and make the entire process smoother.
To find the right agent, start with one of these methods:
- Try a free agent-finding tool
- Ask family and friends
- Ask your loan officer or another real estate professional
- Do a DIY online search (not recommended)
In this guide, we’ll show you how to use each method — and how to spot the best agent for your situation.
How to find a real estate agent: 4 things to try
1. Try a free agent-finding tool
Fast and easy, with potential savings: With this free, no-obligation service, top brands send multiple prescreened agents for you to compare. Some offer built-in savings for buyers and sellers.
Top 4 real estate agent finding tools in 2025
Most sellers rely on referrals or past relationships when choosing an agent — 66% of recent sellers either worked with an agent they knew or were referred by someone they trusted.[1] However, this approach doesn’t always guarantee the best match for your needs.
In fact, 81% of sellers contacted only one agent before signing a contract, which means many miss the opportunity to compare options and negotiate better terms.[1] Using an agent-finding tool solves this dilemma, giving you access to multiple qualified agents to make an informed decision.
Most companies that provide this service have 10,000+ partner agents nationwide, so you have plenty of top options to interview.
Consider these factors as you choose which agents to interview:
- Experience: Look for agents with years of expertise in your local market.
- Reviews: Check online feedback to gauge customer satisfaction.
- Activity: Review the agent’s active listings and recent transactions in your area.
- Savings: Choose tools that negotiate reduced fees or offer cash-back options for buyers and sellers.
Why it’s great: This service is faster and easier than searching alone.
The best brands, such as Clever Real Estate, work only with the best agents nationwide. Most have at least five years of experience, a portfolio of successful transactions, and a high customer rating.
Many agent-finding tools also offer built-in savings on agent fees. With Clever, sellers pay just a 1.5% listing commission, compared to the typical 2.5–3% fee, keeping thousands more in their pocket. Buyers can receive cash back after closing. Find top-rated agents in your area today.
How to choose: Look for brands that offer built-in savings and a robust agent network. Check customer reviews to determine the quality of a company’s agents.
2. Ask family and friends for real estate agent recommendations
The most credible option — if it fits: This trustworthy referral source can help you feel more confident in your decision. Just make sure the referrer had a similar buy or sale price and compare their agent with one or two others.
Your family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers can provide excellent recommendations, especially if they’ve recently bought or sold a home in your area. This is often a popular option — 40% of buyers and 38% of sellers find a real estate agent through referrals.[1]
Why it’s great: Your network can often help you find an agent quickly and easily. They’ll want to share their great agent with you — and help you avoid poor ones.
Potential drawbacks: Consider this the start of your journey. Regardless of the glowing reviews your friends and family share, vet this agent as you would any others. The right agent for your friend may not be the right agent for you.
3. Ask your loan officer or another real estate professional
A fast but potentially risky option: A referral from loan officers and other pros can help you find an agent fast. But they may not have your best interest in mind, so compare their referral with other sources.
Real estate pros and insiders like loan officers, contractors, and property managers tend to be well-connected to local agents. They can often provide a list of agents they work with regularly.
Why it can work: Recommendations from a contractor or loan officer can help you narrow the field of real estate agents. If these industry pros are reputable, they’ll work with highly regarded and successful agents.
Potential drawbacks: Professional referrals tend to benefit the professionals involved, so be wary. The agent they recommend may not be the best fit for your situation.
4. Not recommended: DIY online search
A slow, difficult, and risky process: The vast number of results from platforms like Zillow and Google can be overwhelming. Plus, these sites let agents pay more for visibility.
Most buyers and sellers start with a DIY online search, such as through Google or agent-finder platforms like Zillow and Realtor.com. We don’t recommend it. You're much better off using an agent-matching platform.
These massive platforms deliver many options with little quality control, so making an informed decision is nearly impossible. Only 6% of buyers and 4% of sellers find their agent through a general online search.[1]
Our recommendation: Start your search with better sources, like personal referrals or agent-matching services. Then, use large platforms to screen prospective agents. These sites offer easy access to sales numbers, client reviews, and other essential information.
How to find a good realtor out of state
When buying or selling a home in another state, it’s essential to find a local real estate agent you can trust. Before diving in, it helps to understand a few key strategies for handling an out-of-state purchase smoothly.
Your best bet is to use a free agent-matching service like Clever Real Estate. These tools connect you with vetted local experts, saving you the time and stress of researching agents on your own.
Here’s why an agent-finding tool is ideal for finding an agent in another state:
- Nationwide reach: Most agent-finding tools have a wide reach and can connect you with agents in any state or location.
- Simpler long-distance agent searches: Finding a good agent remotely can be challenging. These tools streamline the process by prescreening agents for experience and customer satisfaction, saving you from vetting agents yourself.
- Tailored recommendations: The service matches you with agents who specialize in specific areas by asking you about your specific needs, such as budget, location, or property type.
Because these tools pair you with agents who actually live and work in the area, you’ll benefit from their local knowledge — like which neighborhoods are up-and-coming, how schools and amenities compare, and what pricing trends to expect. That kind of insight is critical when you’re unfamiliar with the market.
Key terms to understand in your real estate agent search
Real estate agent vs. realtor
A real estate agent is licensed to help people buy and sell homes.
A realtor is a real estate agent who’s also a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and agrees to follow a strict code of ethics. All Realtors are agents, but not all agents are Realtors. Working with a Realtor can offer added professionalism and access to more tools and training.
Buyer’s agent vs. listing agent vs. dual agent
A buyer’s agent represents the buyer in a home purchase. They’re your main point of contact during the process — helping you choose a location, find the right home, write offers, and connect with lenders, inspectors, attorneys, and more.
A listing agent (also called a seller’s agent) represents the homeowner who’s selling. They price the home, market it, manage showings, and negotiate offers.
Some agents mainly work with buyers, some with sellers, and others do both. Ask during your interview what types of clients they typically serve.
A dual agent represents both the buyer and seller in the same transaction. This is legal in some states but limited in others, since the agent can’t fully advocate for either side.
💰 A note on commissions
Until recently, sellers typically paid commission for both their own agent and the buyer’s agent. But under new rules from the NAR lawsuit settlement, listing agents can no longer advertise buyer agent commissions on the MLS.
Now, buyers must negotiate the buyer's agent fee directly with their agent and sign a buyer’s agency agreement upfront. This agreement outlines how the buyer's agent will be paid and what services they’ll provide.
Many sellers still offer to cover the buyer’s agent fee through a concession, but it’s no longer guaranteed. That makes it especially important for buyers to understand their agreement and discuss payment options early on.
How to choose a good realtor
A great real estate agent can help you buy or sell with confidence — saving you time, money, and stress. Once you’ve created a shortlist of potential agents, take the time to interview at least two or three. Comparing your options upfront can help you avoid costly mistakes later.
Start early if you can — about 4–6 months before selling or 1–2 months before buying. Use these interviews to learn how each agent would approach your goals, what experience they bring to the table, and how they’ll support you at each step.
Here’s what to look for in a great agent:
- Local expertise. They should understand current pricing trends, property values, neighborhood dynamics, and how fast homes are selling in your area.
- Relevant experience. Look for agents who have recent deals in your price range and property type — whether it’s first-time buyers, luxury homes, or specific neighborhoods.
- Clear communication. A good agent will walk you through the process and set realistic expectations. They should listen well, explain things clearly, and communicate the way you prefer.
- Trustworthiness. Choose someone who puts your needs first — not just their commission. They should be honest, professional, and genuinely focused on helping you succeed.
- Marketing and negotiation skills. If you’re selling, ask how they would price and market your home. If you’re buying, ask how they’ll help your offer stand out. Great agents have strong strategies and know how to negotiate.
- A helpful network. The best agents can connect you with reliable lenders, inspectors, contractors, and other professionals to streamline the transaction.
If you’re selling, consider meeting the agent at your home. This gives them a chance to share ideas for repairs, marketing, pricing, and strategy specific to your property and neighborhood.
🚩 Watch out for red flags
Not every agent has your best interests at heart. Watch out for agents who:
- Pressure you to sign a contract too quickly
- Avoid your questions or give vague answers
- Overpromise on sales price with no data to back it up
- Talk only about themselves and not your goals
- Don’t communicate regularly or clearly
- Push you into dual agency without fully explaining the risks
Your agent should put your needs before their commission. If someone doesn’t seem transparent, professional, or ethical, trust your gut — and keep looking. The right agent will earn your trust.
Best questions to ask a real estate agent to find a good one
1. When and where were your most recent transactions? Your agent should understand your local market. Avoid real estate agents who work outside your target area or haven’t closed a listing recently.
2. What’s the average price of homes you handle? Look for an agent with experience in your price range. The agent should know what your target buyers or sellers want, as well as how to market your home effectively or how to put in strong offers.
3. What’s your commission rate? Real estate agent commissions are typically 2.5–3%, although there may be room for negotiation. A listing agent might reduce their fee for a higher-priced home. Home buyers who must now pay their buyer agent commission can negotiate a seller concession to cover the fee.
4. How much communication can I expect, and from whom? Regular updates are essential. Some agents work with a team, so clarify who will communicate with you throughout the buying or selling process. First-time home buyers may want a dedicated agent to walk them through each step.
5. Can you recommend real estate professionals? An agent should have a solid local network of photographers, contractors, inspectors, lenders, insurance brokers, title companies — anyone who can assist with your home purchase or sale. That said, it’s a good idea to interview these professionals as well to make sure you’re still getting the best option for you.
6. What services do you provide? Outline what the agent will or won’t do to help buy or sell your house. Ensure this aligns with any must-haves on your list, such as attending inspections or including 3D video home tours.
7. Do you have a specialty? This gives you an idea of how invested the agent is in their field. Specialties could include property management, real estate investment, out-of-town buyers, or specific neighborhoods.
8. What kind of market am I facing? How competitive is it for buyers versus sellers? Your agent should understand the current market and have experience working in similar conditions. They should set realistic expectations while sharing their strategy for the current market.
9. What can help me stand out from the competition? This question assesses the agent’s process for buying or selling in your local market. They should understand what prices, upgrades, and features attract area buyers.
10. How do you determine a home’s value? Your home’s fair market value is the foundation of a successful real estate transaction. A listing agent should know how to price your house, and a buyer’s agent should know whether a home is over- or underpriced.
11. How do you handle negotiations? It’s critical to know how well the agent communicates and negotiates. Ask for examples of how they’ve handled difficult situations to understand their process and style.
12. Can you walk me through the buying (or selling) process and my responsibilities at each stage? This question sets clear expectations for you and the agent. It also helps you understand how to prepare for the buying or selling process, what information your agent needs, and your level of involvement at various stages.
A good real estate agent should also ask questions to establish your expectations, needs, and buying or selling experience. Here are some questions to expect:
Questions for buyers and sellers:
- What are your goals for buying/selling a home?
- What type of property do you want to buy/sell?
- What are your deal-breakers?
- How quickly do you want to buy/sell?
- Have you bought or sold a home before?
- What’s your preferred communication method and frequency?
- What are your expectations for a real estate agent?
- How involved would you like to be with negotiations?
- Are you familiar with the costs of selling a property (or the costs of buying a home)?
- Do you have any concerns about the transaction?
- What’s your preferred closing date?
Questions for buyers:
- What’s your preferred location?
- What’s your ideal budget?
- Have you been pre-approved for a mortgage?
- Are you currently renting, or do you need to sell your home before buying?
- Have you identified any properties of interest?
- What specific features and amenities are essential?
- Will the home be your primary residence or an investment property?
- Do you prefer new homes, or would you consider a fixer-upper?
Questions for sellers:
- What do you hope to net from selling?
- Do you also need to buy a home? If so, where?
- Do you want to sell as-is, or have you completed or planned updates?
- What are your expectations from a buyer?
Why trust Clever to help you find a good real estate agent?
Hiring a real estate agent is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Clever has helped thousands of people like you find great agents and save money on commission during the buying and selling process. We know the hallmarks of a high-quality agent because we vet them and support them through transactions every day. Plus, we have high standards — many real estate agents apply to work with Clever but only a select few are chosen.
Pick from the best agents in your area. Save money on commission.
Clever simplifies the process by carefully selecting agents from leading brokerages like Berkshire Hathaway, Keller Williams, and many more. It also secures exclusive lower rates for you. By working with Clever, you can sell your home for just 1.5%, about half the typical commission. And you can get cash back when you buy.