Hiring a Realtor? 7 Things to Look for Before You Sign Anything

Choosing the right real estate agent is one of the most important decisions you'll make when buying or selling a home. But how do you know who's actually good at their job?

Recently, someone asked me what they should look for when hiring a Realtor. They were out of state and planning to hire an agent within the next week.

It got me thinking. After 22 years in real estate, I've seen firsthand what separates a great agent from someone who simply has a real estate license.

And here's something I want you to know: Not all real estate agents are created equal.

Whether you're buying your first home, selling a property you've owned for decades, or relocating across the country, here are seven things I'd recommend looking for before choosing an agent.

1. Local Market Knowledge Matters More Than You Think

Real estate is local. Really local.

An agent who knows the market should understand more than just the average sales price in a particular city.

They should be familiar with neighborhood trends, property values, inventory levels, days on market, and what buyers are actually willing to pay.

For example, the Athens, Georgia real estate market can look very different from Watkinsville, Jefferson, or Lake Hartwell. Even neighborhoods within the same city can behave differently.

Questions to ask:

• How familiar are you with the neighborhoods I'm considering?

• What are you seeing in the local market right now?

• How do you determine whether a property is priced appropriately?

A good agent should be able to answer those questions with more than general statistics.

2. Experience Is Important, but So Is Current Activity

I've been selling real estate since 2004, and I can tell you that experience matters.

Why? Because real estate transactions don't always go according to plan.

Inspection issues arise. Appraisals come in low. Financing falls apart. Titles have problems. Closing dates change.

You want someone who knows how to navigate those situations without panicking.

But here's the other side of that: An agent who's been licensed for 20 years isn't automatically better than someone who's been licensed for five.

Ask about their recent transactions, the types of properties they work with, and their experience handling situations similar to yours.

Experience isn't just about how many homes an agent has sold. It's also about the problems they've successfully solved.

3. Communication Can Make or Break Your Experience

This is a big one for me.

One of the most common complaints I hear from buyers and sellers about previous agents is poor communication.

They couldn't get a callback. They didn't know what was happening. They felt like they were constantly chasing their agent for updates.

Buying or selling a home can already be stressful. You shouldn't have to wonder whether your agent is paying attention.

Before hiring someone, ask:

• What's your preferred method of communication?

• How often should I expect updates?

• Will I be working directly with you or someone else on your team?

• How do you handle communication when you're unavailable?

You don't necessarily need an agent who answers the phone at midnight. You need one who sets clear expectations and follows through.

4. Find Someone Who Tells You What You NEED to Hear

This might be my favorite piece of advice.

Hire an agent who's willing to tell you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear.

If you're selling your home and believe it's worth $500,000, but the market supports $450,000, you need an agent who will have that conversation with you.

Not someone who agrees with your price just to get the listing.

And if you're buying a home, you need an agent who's willing to point out potential concerns, even when you're absolutely in love with the property.

Maybe the home is overpriced. Maybe there are signs of deferred maintenance. Maybe the resale potential isn't what you think it is.

A good agent isn't there to convince you to buy or sell.

They're there to help you make an informed decision.

Sometimes that means advising you to walk away from a deal.

And yes, I've done that.

5. Availability and Responsiveness Matter

Real estate doesn't always happen on a convenient schedule.

A home might hit the market on Friday afternoon. An offer might arrive late in the evening. A deadline might require immediate attention.

You want an agent who has the time and resources to represent you properly.

That doesn't mean they need to be available 24/7, but you should understand how they manage their business.

If you're buying from out of state, this becomes especially important.

Will your agent conduct video walkthroughs? Can they help coordinate inspections? Are they comfortable working with buyers who can't physically visit every property?

If you're selling, ask how showings, feedback, marketing, and negotiations will be handled.

An agent can be incredibly successful and still not be the right fit if they don't have time for your needs.

6. Don't Confuse Social Media Popularity With Real Estate Expertise

This one might surprise you, especially coming from someone who uses social media regularly to market real estate.

I love social media. It's a fantastic tool for showcasing properties, educating consumers, and connecting with potential clients.

But having thousands of followers doesn't automatically make someone a great Realtor.

Neither does having the most signs around town or the biggest advertising budget.

Marketing matters, particularly when selling a home. But you also need someone who understands contracts, negotiations, pricing strategies, deadlines, and how to get a transaction successfully to the closing table.

Look beyond the online presence.

Ask about their marketing strategy, recent sales, negotiation experience, and how they handle challenges.

A polished Instagram account is great.

A knowledgeable, ethical, and dependable real estate agent is even better.

7. Trust Your Gut and Interview More Than One Agent

You don't have to hire the first agent you meet.

In fact, I'd encourage you to interview two or three before making your decision.

Pay attention to how they answer your questions.

Do they listen? Do they seem genuinely interested in your goals? Are they realistic about the market? Do they explain things clearly?

Or does every conversation feel like a sales pitch?

Real estate is personal. You're trusting someone to guide you through a major financial decision.

You should feel comfortable asking questions, expressing concerns, and having honest conversations.

And before signing a buyer representation agreement or listing agreement, make sure you understand its terms, including the duration, services, compensation, and how the agreement can be terminated.

The right relationship should be built on trust, transparency, and mutual respect.

One Question I'd Ask Every Agent Before Hiring Them

If I were interviewing agents, there's one question I'd absolutely ask:

"Tell me about a recent transaction where something went wrong. What happened, and how did you handle it?"

Their answer can tell you a lot.

Because here's the reality: Even the best agents encounter problems.

The difference is how they respond when those problems arise.

Do they communicate? Do they look for solutions? Do they stay calm? Do they protect their client's interests?

That's where experience, professionalism, and problem-solving skills really show.

The Bottom Line: The Right Realtor Is More Than a Salesperson

After 22 years in this business, I still believe the best real estate agents are advisors first and salespeople second.

Our job isn't simply to open doors, put a sign in the yard, or write an offer.

It's to educate, advocate, negotiate, problem-solve, and help clients make decisions they feel confident about.

Whether you're buying your first home or selling your tenth, you deserve an agent who takes that responsibility seriously.

And remember, the most popular agent isn't necessarily the best agent for YOU.

Find someone who knows the market, communicates well, tells you the truth, and genuinely has your best interests at heart.

That's who you want in your corner.

Looking for a Realtor in Athens, Georgia, or Beyond?

I'm Leah Leggett, an Associate Broker with Greater Athens Properties, and I've been helping buyers and sellers navigate real estate in Athens and Northeast Georgia since 2004. I also serve clients in the Lake Hartwell area of South Carolina.

If you're thinking about buying or selling in Athens, Watkinsville, Bogart, Jefferson, Winterville, or the surrounding communities, I'd love the opportunity to talk with you.

And if you're moving somewhere outside my service area, I'm happy to help you connect with a qualified real estate professional in your destination market.

Let's make sure you have the right person representing you.