The First-Time Homebuyer’s Ultimate Guide on How to Find a Realtor®

Leverage your network

Word-of-mouth is one of the most reliable ways to find a great Realtor. Your family, friends, and neighbors have likely bought houses using agents, so ask them who they used and if they would use that agent again. Friends, family and acquaintances that have been around the homebuying block more than once often have an agent they’ve worked with again and again — a recommendation like that should make you feel pretty confident that you’re hiring a Realtor who will work hard for you.

Even if an agent comes highly recommended, don’t hire the first one suggested to you. Make sure you talk to several Realtors and consider your options before deciding on the one you would like to work with. There are an estimated 3 million active real estate licensees in the United States — so there are many from which to choose. Just because a Realtor is a great fit for someone you know, it doesn’t mean that person is the perfect Realtor for you.

Ask other experts for referrals

“A good Realtor should have title and lender companies in their pocket,” explains Heather Kerstetter, an experienced real estate agent in York, South Carolina. “When you need inspections, they should be able to tell you who they have worked with and let you decide. Your Realtor should have all of that information for you,” she says.

On the flip side, your mortgage broker probably knows tons of agents, as do home contractors or handymen, inspectors, plumbers — the list goes on. If you’ve already got someone helping you with one part of your real estate transaction, they might be able to suggest a good agent to you.

Attend first-time homebuyer classes

If you’re a first-time buyer, checking out a local first-time homebuyer class will not only provide you with a lot of information to help demystify the homebuying process, but it will introduce you to Realtors, too.

“If Realtors are making time for first-time buyers and showing them the ropes, it’s an indication they will sit and hold your hand throughout the homebuying process,” Kerstetter says.

Use online reviews

In today’s digital world, reading reviews is one of the best ways to find a great Realtor. Online, clients can rate agents and share their experience working with the agent, and you can use those reviews to find an agent who’s a good fit.

“Check social media sites or HomeLight,” Kerstetter advises. “You want to find the right one that makes you comfortable and will work hard for you,” she adds.

And remember, as important as it is to read the good reviews of potential agents, it’s just as important to read the negative reviews. Pay close attention to the agent’s response to their less-than-stellar reviews, too — it can tell you a lot about their character.

Find the community leaders

Many Realtors are heavily invested in the areas where they work. “To be a great Realtor, you not only sell a home, but you sell the community as well,” Kerstetter says. When you’re out enjoying community events like a local parade, for example, look for real estate agents who have taken the time to build their own float and participate.

Another great way to find agents who are deeply involved in the community is to search social media or Google for those who share blog posts or videos about the area you’re interested in buying. If an agent has made it a priority to share their in-depth knowledge about the community in which they work, it’s another good indication that they are well suited to help you find your dream home in that community.

Attend open houses

The agents at open houses are often willing to represent you as a buyer — so if you meet one you like at an open house; it might be worth considering them. That said, if you’re interested in making an offer on a house the agent is representing, be cautious about dual agency, which is when an agent represents both the buyer and the seller. As a buyer, it’s usually better to have someone solely representing your interests. “I would be wary of using the agent that is representing the seller,” Kerstetter says.

If you meet an agent you really like but want to avoid dual agency, Kerstetter advises getting the agent’s card and calling their agency to see if there is another agent available to represent you. “At an agency everyone is different, but their values usually align,” Kerstetter says.

Open the local paper

Although newspapers feel a bit old-school, they are still a solid way to get good leads on Realtors. Agents may have ads in the paper indicating their area of specialty or highlighting their listings.

Check the mailbox

“I don’t cold call or door-knock. People don’t like to be called. They don’t like to be solicited,” Kerstetter says. She does, however, reach out to potential clients via their mailbox.

“When I send out mailers, I’m not bugging you,” she says. “If you’re not interested and you throw it away, fine. But if you’ve been thinking about selling, you might want to reach out. If you’re renting and you want to buy, you might contact me,” she says.

Drive around

An easy way to identify agents who are knowledgeable about the neighborhood you’d like to buy in is to drive around and assess which agents are doing a lot of business there. Check out the “for sale” signs and take note of the listing agents. The agents already selling in your ideal neighborhood likely know the area really well and can help you find a great home in your desired location.

Final tips for finding the perfect Realtor

No matter how you find a Realtor, Kerstetter says you’ll know they’re worth considering if they know their stuff and can explain it to you clearly. “If you ask them a question, like, ‘What is the first step in the homebuying process?’ or, ‘Do you know a good lender?’ they should give you an answer,” she says.

Kerstetter also points out that if you connect with an agent who is new to the real estate world, you shouldn’t worry too much about their inexperience. “We all have to start somewhere,” she says. “First time Realtors might be nervous, but that doesn’t mean they won’t do a good job.”

Overall, Kerstetter says the bottom line is that a good Realtor will give you the attention you deserve and make you feel comfortable. “When I was buying my house before I was a Realtor, I used a less-experienced agent because the agent I initially had was forceful: She showed me two houses and said, ‘Which one do you want?’ But I didn’t want either one,” Kerstetter says.

“Maybe you start talking about things you have in common. You should feel comfortable,” she advises. “There will be several agents out there you will feel comfortable with — it just may not be the first one you come across.”

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