There are many ways to find a good Real Estate Agent - most of them difficult.

There is one method worthy of mentioning that I got from a couple that became my clients.

One day I got a call from a couple, Jim & Nancy, and she told me that they have selected me to sell their house. This was quite unusual since I had never even spoken to these people. I didn’t ask any question, I just grabbed the listing contracts and sped over to their house. I had recently sold 2 in their neighborhood and had 2 listed for sale so I knew the neighborhood very well.

When I got there, they welcomed me like an old friend. Although Nancy looked somewhat familiar, I was sure I’ve never seen Jim before. To my shock, they didn’t ask me a single question about my services They were ready to sign the contract. My sales training tells me that when anyone is ready to sign the contract then I am to Shut Up and let then sign.

After the contract was signed, we retired to the living room where Nancy served us coffee and homemade chocolate chip cookies (Yum!). Now it was time to get to know them better, and to find why they selected me, sight unseen.

I told them how unusual this was and asked if I have ever met them before. I told them I meet hundreds of people a year and that I apologize if I didn’t remember them. They both laughed and then told me how and why they selected me. What they told me impressed me. I wrote an entire book on the subject of finding a great Real Estate Agent, but I never thought of this.

Nancy told me that we had met before. I was conducting an open house and Nancy came in and took a quick look around. She said she was only there for 5 minutes and didn’t sign the guest sheet. The reason for her visit to the open house was that she was compiling a list of Real Estate Agents that seemed to handle themselves professionally.

I was stunned. I asked how they could hire me for something so important based on a five-minute meeting.

They told me it was way more than that. Jim told me they have been planning on selling their house for that last year and then they were going to live in their house in northern Michigan, where they had another house.

Besides attending open houses for the past year, they also drove around and wrote down the addresses of all the houses that had a For Sale or a Sold sign. Then they sent a postcard to each of these houses (over 200 in all). On the postcard they explained that they were selling their house and wanted to find a really good Real Estate Agent and if they would recommend their’s or not. They put their email address on it so it would be easy to respond.

They got 62 responses. If you ever worked in Direct Mail, you would know that this is an incredible response. Even a 2% response is amazing. Although most of the responses were negative, there were a few good ones.

Fortunately for me, my clients responded well about me, which made Jim & Nancy hire me.

There are other ways to find a great Real Estate Agent, but this method was unique.

Sadly, not really.

The “quality” of an agent is often expressed with things like being a “Top 1%” agent. Sadly, none of the ways that is measured has anything to do with the quality of service.

I would suggest you interview a number of agents and ask questions like:

• “How often do your offers get accepted?” - If only 10% of someones offers get accepted and the current market average is 40% get accepted, you should beware. Keep in mind that there is actually no way for you to get decent numbers on this one. You will have to take the agents word for it.
• “When representing a buyer, how many escrows have you opened that ultimately failed to close?” - Every escrow can be successfully closed if properly handled. However, this assumes that the agents are asking the right questions and taking the right precautions. Of course, sometimes it is out of the agents hands - but even in those cases, agents should always have a backup plan to salvage an escrow.
• “On average, what do your buyers tend to pay when compared to the list price of the home?” - If the market average is that buyers are paying about 2% over asking price, if this agents buyers are usually paying 4% over asking, that might just indicate that they are not great at saving their clients money. This is one that has actual, hard data to support it. Try asking the agent for examples.

The constant thread in all of this boils down to your agent having these skills:

• Risk management
• Contingency planning
• Superior negotiation skills

You should ask additional questions around all of these qualities to see what your prospective agents thoughts are.

Hope that helps.

To evaluate real estate agents in your area, consider these key factors:

1. Experience & Expertise – Check their years in the industry and specialization (residential, commercial, luxury, etc.).
2. Local Market Knowledge – Ensure they understand neighborhood trends, pricing, and demand.
3. Client Reviews & Testimonials – Look for positive feedback on Google, Zillow, or social media.
4. Track Record – Assess their recent sales, listings, and success rate.
5. Communication & Availability – Choose an agent who is responsive and keeps you informed.
6. Professional Credentials – Verify their licensing, certifications, and any professional affiliations.
7. Negotiation Skills – A skilled negotiator can help you get the best deal.
8. Marketing Strategies – Check how they promote properties (online listings, social media, open houses).

Research, interview multiple agents, and choose one who aligns with your needs and goals.

This answer is going to focus on the selling/listing side, as opposed to the purchase side of the transaction. As a professional real estate investor, I'm typically more focused on using agents to sell investment property, but the list is nearly the same as agents I use for selling my personal residences.

First, let me break down the three main areas that I use to evaluate a listing agent:

1. Listing and Marketing
2. Negotiating
3. Getting to the Table

Listing and Marketing

Here are some of the things you should be looking for from your agent when it comes to Listing and Marketing your property:

• Accurate Pricing: Perhaps one of the most important aspects of being a Listing Agent (someone who represents the seller) is the ability to accurately determine how much a property will sell for. If you overestimate, you run the risk of not getting any offers, letting the listing get “stale” and ultimately keeping the seller from making his profit. If you underestimate, you’re leaving money on the table that should be going into the seller’s pocket. Great agents know how to accurately price a property; even better agents can tell you how much longer or shorter the property will sit if you adjust your price, allowing you to do your own cost-benefit analysis on the pricing decision.
• Great Listing: Anyone can write a few grandiose words about your property and throw up a half-dozen average pictures. A great agent recognizes that the listing is the last opportunity to make a first impression on your buyers. The goal is to get them excited about seeing the property just from looking at the listing. If they’re excited about seeing the property, and have a day or two to look forward to it, they start building up an emotional attachment in their head. So, while they may be out looking at a number of properties before yours, yours is the one they’re looking forward to. A great agent knows how to write listing copy to really connect with buyers and knows how to take pictures (or hire someone to take pictures) that present a WOW factor in the listing.
• Getting Showings: For $300, you can list your property on the MLS using a flat-fee listing service. So, don’t fool yourself into believing that you need an agent to get you onto the MLS, or that an agent is good just because they get you showings based on your MLS listing. Great agents have a network of other agents that they turn to after each listing to market the property, find targeted buyers, etc. If you can expect to get 5-10 showings the first weekend just from listing the property on the MLS, you should expect 20-30 showings if you have a great agent.
• Preparing For Showings: Great agents don’t leave things to chance. For example, in our business (where my wife is the agent for our properties), we keep each house on a portable alarm system. One reason we do this is to protect our investment. But the bigger reason is that we want to ensure that buyer’s agents HAVE to call us and let us know BEFORE they show the property (our listing asks for 30 minutes notice so we can turn off the alarm). This gives us time to send one of our employees over to the property to turn on the lights, open the blinds, verify the temperature, refill the scented air-fresheners, make sure there are flyers and blank contracts on the counter, make sure there is no trash in the yard, etc. This ensures that every single showing makes the best possible first impression on the buyer.
• Soliciting Offers and Getting Feedback: Any agent can tell you that you had 10 showings over the past week. A great agent knows how each of the showings went, what the buyer (and the agent) liked and didn’t like, whether an offer is forthcoming or not, and any other information pertinent to the sale. How does the agent do this? Simple…they pick up the phone and call the buyer’s agent for feedback a couple hours after the showing. A can’t tell you the number of investors I speak with who say they can’t get an offer, and when I ask what negative things the buyers have noticed, they say, “How would I know?”
• Evaluating Progress: Not every showing is going to result in an offer. Hopefully, if the property is priced correctly, you’ll get an offer within the first 3 or 5 showings, but sometimes, even that doesn’t happen. When that (doesn’t) happen, the important point is to know why. A great agent will be able to use the market data and feedback they’ve gotten to determine why. Does the property need a price drop? Does it need a fence around the back yard to shield the trash in the neighbors yard? Does it just need more time and a couple more showings?

Negotiating

Negotiating is the second major area where I’ll evaluate an agent. While there are a lot of areas of selling real estate that require strong negotiation, I’m going to focus on two.

First, negotiating an initial contract with a buyer. I know a lot of investors who think they are great negotiators and who insist on doing offer negotiation themselves (I’m one of them). But, in reality, as the seller, you are probably not as well suited to negotiating your own property as someone who is less emotionally connected and vested in the property (again, I’m in this category as well :)). There are two risks that an emotionally invested person faces when negotiating their own deals:

Overvaluing the Deal

By overvaluing the deal, I mean that many sellers believe their properties are worth more than they actually are or are too emotionally invested in the property to recognize a fair offer.

For example, it’s the first weekend on the market for your newly rehabbed property, and you’re just waiting for that full-priced offer from the first person that walks through. Surprise, the first buyer makes an offer $20K below the list price. You’re positive the house is worth full-price, so you counter with full-price. The buyer increases his offer to $10K below list. Again you counter with full-price. The buyer — annoyed that you’re not willing to even budge — walks away.

Perhaps this was a good move on your part, and you’ll be getting that full-priced offer on the next showing. Or, perhaps you lost the only offer you’ll end up getting for the next 6 weeks. A great agent would be able to put that specific offer into perspective for you, and may have been able to save you that deal.

For example, perhaps $10K less than list was still a great offer, and you just couldn’t see it because you were blinded by excitement. Or perhaps the agent would have seen some aspect of the deal — other than price — that you could have conceded to the buyer without dropping the price. Regardless, the fact that you were so excited about the first weekend on the market and a potential sale may have clouded your judgment when it came to negotiating that offer. A great agent wouldn’t let that happen.

Undervaluing the Deal

On the opposite end of the spectrum are those investors who are willing to give up too much in the negotiation because they don’t recognize the value of their property (I often fall into this trap myself). These are the seller who get an offer the first weekend at $20K below list price and want to jump on it. Perhaps they don’t even want to counter-offer for fear of losing the buyer.

While these sellers will often get their houses sold quickly, they tend to leave a lot of money on the table that could have gone right into their pockets. A great agent will let you know when you’re selling yourself short, and will push you to get more, even if it adds a little risk. In fact, many investors overestimate the risk of losing a deal by doing a little bit of negotiation, so in many cases, the agent really isn’t adding any risk — the buyer is expecting a counter-offer, and if you accept without making one, he may wonder what’s wrong with the property if you’re willing to give it up some easily!

So, when it comes to negotiating an offer, a great agent is invaluable. Not only is a great agent a strong negotiator, but a great agent is also able to convince you when you’re not thinking clearly when it comes to your negotiating tactics.

The second piece of the negotiating puzzle that great agents help with is after the inspection and at the end of the due diligence period. Oftentimes, the buyers will come back with a list of “demands” — perhaps repairs, additions (like a new fence), or even a decrease in the agreed upon price of the house. A great agent has been through this process many times and knows when a buyer is just fishing for concessions and when a buyer is seriously at risk of walking away from the deal if he doesn’t get what he wants.

Getting to the Table

Getting your property under contract is one thing, and actually getting to the closing table is another. Especially in this market where lending is tight, buyers are flaky, and good real estate professionals are in short supply, a high percentage of deals are at risk of falling out of escrow if the agents don’t do their jobs very well.

Here are some things we do in our business to ensure that property gets to the closing table. Even the best agents may not be as persistent as this (and that’s not necessarily a bad thing), but the best agents will do as much of this as necessary to get the deal closed:

• Getting Appraisals Ordered: A great agent will get in touch with the buyer’s broker/lender within a couple days of a getting contract. The first order of business is getting an appraisal ordered, and great agents will make sure that gets done quickly. If it takes 2 weeks to get the appraisal, and then the appraisal comes in low, that’s 2 weeks wasted. I make sure an appraisal is ordered within 48 of the contract being signed…if it takes longer than that, I know that the broker or the buyers is lying about how qualified they are to buy (and need more time before they want to pay for that appraisal).
• Be Present for the Appraisal: This may be the most important aspect of a deal these days — getting the appraisal to come in at the contract price. A great agent will either be present for the appraisal or arrange for you to be (with comps in your hand). In our case, we take the agent lockbox off the door so that if the appraiser shows up without anyone telling us, he needs to call us to get in (most appraisers use the same lockbox key as agents). When an appraiser calls us from the property, we tell him we have the key and we’ll run right over. Luckily, we’re generally informed beforehand so we can be there with comps in hand, renovation lists, etc. Appraisals can make or break a deal, and again, a great agent leaves nothing to chance.
• Be Present for the Inspection: I would never expect my agent to be present for a buyer’s inspection (and neither should you), but a great agent will recommend that you be and will do everything she can to get the buyer to agree to it. This way, you will know beforehand what the buyer is likely to come back with when requesting repairs. More importantly, if the inspector brings up something that you think may be confusing to the buyer (and that you think might freak the buyer out unnecessarily), you can ask leading questions right then and there to get the inspector to clarify and make the buyer feel more comfortable. Of course, if the buyer really doesn’t want you there, you should respect his wishes and not go.
• Getting the Closing Scheduled: Sure, this seems like an easy item. But, in reality, it’s a BIG ONE. The average agent will schedule the closing a few days or a week before it’s to take place. A great agent recognizes that a firm date will help everyone stay on schedule. Our process is, within 48 hours of the contract being finalized, we call the closing attorney and get the closing put on the calendar. While this date may change (hopefully get pulled in sooner!), when you have something actually scheduled, it makes people focusing on hitting that date. Trust me, you’ll get much more cooperation from the lender when you say, “Are we still on-schedule for August 18 at 3:30pm?” then if you say, “Are we still going hit mid-August for this closing?”
• Communicating: Great agents over-communicate. There shouldn’t be more than 72 (preferably 48) hours that go by while you’re under contract that your agent doesn’t call or email you. Even if it’s only to say, “Nothing new…everything on track.” If your agent knows that she is going to have to give you a status every couple days, it means she also knows that she has to get the status at least every couple days. Whether that means calling the broker, the processor, the buyer’s agent, the closing attorney, etc. A great agent keeps in touch with everyone, all the time.

These are my basic criteria for a real estate agent, and like I said above, those that do most or all of these things well are worth every penny they make. Not only do they ultimately make you more money on each deal (perhaps even enough to cover the cost of using them), but they will save you countless hours, countless headaches, and countless sleepless nights.

I’m a RE Broker and real estate investor for over 23 years. When I enter a new market I call the city realtor association - in Dallas, MetroTex is the largest. DFW Real Estate | My MetroTex %

Then ask for the person who keeps member statistics. I chat with her and explain I’m looking to work with a high volume producer who knows specific neighborhoods and ask her for a simple report for the top sales by volume for these zip codes.

Then I call the top four and one of them impressed me with their knowledge and competence. The top three or four will be doing 80% of all the transactions in that marketplace. They will know one another and know you know their competitors and will be responsive.

Also, they will be quick to qualify or disqualify you if you’re kicking tires or are not qualified. They will probably have a mortgage broker to refer you to or ask for your mortgage prequalification letter. And they will call that lender to verify. When they bring you to a seller and tell them you are able to close, they’re putting their name and reputation on the line and will be the doorkeeper into those harder to get into neighborhoods. In Dallas, some homes in Highland Park and University Park and Preston Hollow just trade quietly to a list of cash buyers who are ready to buy when something becomes available.

There are probably thousands of licensed real estate agents in/around your market. Have you ever met a real estate agent that didn’t claim to be the best in the area? The real questions is, “How can you cut through the clutter and compare agents based on their actual sales performance?”

I asked myself this same question in 2009 when the real estate market had hit rock bottom. My mother was desperate to get out from underneath an expensive waterfront home after her husband had passed away. Here we were, in the worst real estate market since the great depression…after the second major hurricane wiped out our seawall - my family was tapped out.

So, I got to work, there had to be a way to solve this problem. I exported my data to excel and began to sort over 2000 Realtors® by transaction volume, selling price ranges, average days on market, list/sales price ratios, I drilled down on maps looking for similar waterfront transactions. Eventually, after an entire morning, I managed to reduce this huge list down to about approximately 25 top performing real estate agents. From there, I manually reviewed every agent’s online presence…I looked at everything from the quality of their personal brand, their listing photography, even how well they wrote property descriptions. No computer algorithm can do this sort of work (yet), it takes a real human who is focused on quality. This manual review took the remainder of the day.

Through this exercise I developed a quantitative and a qualitative approach to agent selection that serves as the basis for EffectiveAgent’s current algorithm. It’s a beautiful marriage of statistical analysis and human verification. After refining our systems for 10 years, I believe that we offer the best way to compare real estate agents.

So, to answer your question: “How can I compare real estate agents?”

1. Find an accurate source of real estate agent performance data.
2. Filter that list based on your objectives. (Someone looking for a buyers agent will utilize different KPI’s than someone searching for a listing agent)
3. Manually review your results and weed out data anomalies (ie. a builder’s agent may have sold a large number of new homes).
4. Verify the quality of the agent’s current listing inventory (photo quality, ad copy, etc)
5. Interview the top 2 or 3 Realtors® from your data set to see who you jive with.

We can save you the first 4 steps: www.effectiveagents.com.

Good luck!

Kevin Stuteville (Founder, EffectiveAgents.com)

Even if there was a sure-fire way to know who the top agents are, I would say be careful what you wish for.

Top in what way would be the first question? Highest volume of sales, or a top listing agent that gets the highest priced listings in the market area?

The agent with the most number of sales, is likely actually a team, and the team leader gets all the credit. Unless you are a big spender or have a high priced listing, you may never even meet this agent. You will be working with his or her up and coming agents, yeah the ones that could not make it on their own.

Or the top listing agent, who will also be the one who specializes in high-end Buyer clients as well? Are you one of those top Buyers or Sellers? Are you shopping the top of the market? If not, again, you may find yourself hooked up with a Jr. agent working under the top dog.

This is not to disparage these top agents. It’s a brutally tough business and anyone who can claw their way to the top deserves the spoils they get. And many are very caring, but time is money and they must focus on the high stakes where they maintain their niche.

That said, other agents in the market may not be too busy for you, and in the end you will have a closer relationship with your agent. Someone perfectly capable, and who will have the motivation to make sure you are satisfied.

Ideally referrals are best, but when exploring an unknown market, it would be best to interact with several agents, not just the top ones, and find out who is really listening, and looking out for your best interests.

Super easy. Call any Realtor and I’m sure she will be happy to send you a report showing the Listing Realtor and the Realtor that actually brought the Buyer. Normally 99% of the time they are two separate Realtors. It’s actually a bit suspicious if the listing Realtor also represents the Buyer. You may want to steer clear of a Realtor that has a high percentage of double-ended transactions where he earned 100% of the commission—except on lower priced properties. I believe a higher percentage of low priced properties will have the same agent representing both the Seller and Buyer.

If you’re in Central Florida, send me an email and I’ll send you a report, no obligation.

Answering for consumers located in the United States.

First, ignore the 5 star Realtor ratings on Zillow. Zillow allows Realtors to stack the reviews so the Realtors can select which clients receive an invitation to review them, therefore, the Realtor will always avoid sending the request to a client who will provide a low rating. We can conclude that almost 100 percent of all Realtors on Zillow will almost always show all 5 star reviews.

Next, are you a home buyer or home seller? Some Realtors are very, very good at listing homes for sale and getting them sold.

And some Realtors are exceptional at representing home buyers. When researching Realtors, you will need to compare apples to apples.

It’s pretty important for the Realtor you choose to KNOW the neighborhood in which the home is located if you’re selling, or know the neighborhood in which you would like to purchase a home. That means their most recent business transactions should be in this general area.

It’s important that your Realtor actually be a Realtor. We use Realtor as a generic word, but not all states require licensed real estate agents to join the National Association of Realtors and subscribe to their Code of Ethics. There is no way I would ever recommend working with a real estate agent that is not a member of the Association of Realtors.

When interviewing Realtors, ask him/her to bring a print out of all their current transactions for the year we’re in. I’m answering this in the summer of 2016: I’d ask for a list of their recent homes listed for sale for 2016 (if you’re selling) OR a recent list of homes they helped buyers purchase (if you’re a buyer.) You’re looking for a career agent, meaning, someone who works in the industry as a full time industry business professional. You will be able to tell the difference if you interview them face to face.

It’s important for the Realtor you choose to have a good reputation within the industry with his/her competitors. Real estate is a very interesting industry. Realtors are duty-bound to cooperate with their competitors because of the way they are compensated. Realtors all have a reputation. You do not want to work with a Realtor who has a bad reputation with his/her peers. You should be able to figure this out on your own. If you can't, let us know and we can give you some suggestions on how to do this.

It might seem tempting to work with a friend or family member who recently obtained his/her license. Okay….If you want them to practice on you, gee you must be a really nice person. This is also a great way to ruin the relationship. Never mix family/friends and business. Along that same vein, if the Realtor tries to steer you to a particular lender because “the lender is my spouse or brother or sister…” or there’s some other type of non-arms length relationship between the lender and Realtor, avoid working with this Realtor. This is a conflict of interest and has become a growing problem within the industry.

And you should interview the Realtor for their negotiation skills. I’d ask questions like this: Can you tell me a story about a time where you had to negotiate hard for your client and how that worked out? Can you tell me a story about a time when the negotiations didn’t work out in your client’s favor and what you learned from that?

If you interview Realtors face to face, it will become very clear, very fast, which Realtors are full time, industry professionals and which ones are not.

I’ve been in the industry over 30 years and know thousands of Realtors. I only use one for my own personal real estate needs. The absolute hands down most important reason I work with her is because she is an exceptionally good listener.

Ask lots of people for referrals based on the above. I predict what will happen is that some Realtor names will constantly rise to the surface. This is who you will want to interview.

Good luck!

Well, let’s crunch the numbers and figure it out.

Let's say you got your real estate license and you signed an independent contractor agreement with a broker entitling you to a 50/50 cut on rental and sale commissions.

If you rent a house to a tenant for $2000 and charge one month's commission here is what you make: $1000

$2000 rental commission | $1000 to broker $1000 to YOU

If you rent 4 per month you make $4000 X 12 months= $48,000 per year

If you sell a home to a qualified buyer for $200,000 and earn a 5% commission here is what you make:

$200,000 sale commission@5%= $10,000

If you are the listing and selling agent you earn $5,000 (50/50 split with broker)

If you are the selling agent and another company is listing agent (Co-brokered deal) you earn $2500

$10,000 commission $5000 to other company that lists home

$5000 to your company that sells home (50/50 split)

$2500 to broker | $2500 to You

If you sell 1o co-brokered homes per year you make $2500 X 12=$30,000

If you add your rental commissions of $48,000 per year to your sale commissions your grand total is $78,000 a year, which works out to $1500 per week.

Bear in mind these figures are based on you being an average inexperienced every day agent at a 50/50 split. The same closed deals for a seasoned agent with an 80% split would generate:

Rentals: 4 $2000 house rentals per month: $400 to broker $1600 to YOU

$76,800 per year

Sales: 10 $5000 c0-broke commissions per year: $1000 to broker $4000 to YOU

$40,000 per year

Thats $116,800 a year, which works out to $2246 per week

Is $2200 a week financially rewarding enough to justify entering the real estate industry? That's up to you to decide. But bear in mind the main lure of entering real estate isn't just money- it's the freedom to regulate the most important commodity in your live- your time. Agents don't punch clocks and have rigidly set hours- they come and go as they please and can make time to spend with their friends, family and relatives- their most important assets in life.

Is there a website that provides statistics on the performance of real estate agents in selling single-family homes?

No.

And even that ever-so-secret MLS wouldn’t help. I’m a Realtor. I know.

Different MLSs have different capabilities. But most are set up focusing on houses—what they sold for, how long they took to sell, which Zip Codes are more or less active, and so on.

While I can go into the MLS knowing an agent’s name and see what he/she has sold (and the other criteria you mention), I can’t get some sort of chart of agents, ranked by sales data. I can’t say: “Show me the top 20 listing agents in Fairfax County” or “Show me the top 10 agents based on sales volume in Zip Code 22030.”

And even if I (or you) could, it wouldn’t be helpful.

Why not?

Agents specialize. Near where I live, there’s a subdivision named Kings Park West. There are two agents who really dominate that community. A few miles away, there’s a subdivision named Colchester Hunt. Another agent dominates that community. And so on.

In some cases, agents specialize in upscale properties. Others in single-family homes. Others in condos. Sure, a competent agent could do a competent job regardless of those factors. But in asking the question, you’re looking for the “top” or “best” agents. The one who’s really plugged in.

Some agents specialize in foreclosures and short sales. Those can take a particular expertise. Then you have individual agents, or a pair of agents, or teams that may consist of 5–10 agents. Each will have certain advantages and disadvantages that may be appropriate for you as a seller.

And do you know how to judge the data? I don’t mean to be impolite, But let’s say you had 3 agents. One had an average “days on market” (DOM) of 10. Another is at 30. Another is at 60. What does that tell you? It might tell you that the one with an average 10 days on market really sells those houses fast. Or it could tell you that he/she underprices the listings to get those quick sales; another agent might have gotten $20,000-$30,000 more for the same house. The one with 60 DOM might not be good at marketing. Or he/she might be so good that the offers are well above those coming in to the other agents.

Suggestion: Find out who the top agents are in a very specific community—the one your house is located in. Drive around the neighborhood; whose signs do you see most often? And you can have an agent go into the MLS and pull up all sales for Kings Park West. Then you can go through manually and see whose selling the most houses. Or call the real estate company that seems to dominate the market. Call the managing broker and ask for recommendations for 3 top agents who handle that specific community. Talk to them. Interview them.

That’s what you’ve got to do.

The best real estate agents stand out because of their unique blend of skills, traits, and dedication to providing exceptional service. Here’s what makes them shine in the competitive real estate market:

1. Expertise and Market Knowledge

• In-Depth Understanding: They have a thorough understanding of local market trends, property values, and neighborhood amenities.
• Specialization: Expertise in specific property types, such as luxury homes, commercial spaces, or presale condos.

2. Excellent Communication Skills

• Clear and Timely Communication: They keep clients informed at every step, addressing queries promptly.
• Listening Abilities: They pay attention to clients' needs and preferences to deliver tailored solutions.

3. Strong Negotiation Skills

• Client Advocacy: They secure the best possible deals by negotiating effectively with buyers, sellers, and other agents.
• Strategic Approach: They understand market dynamics and use data-driven strategies to negotiate favorable terms.

4. Professionalism and Integrity

• Ethical Practices: They uphold transparency and honesty, building trust with clients.
• Reliability: They follow through on commitments and provide consistent, high-quality service.

5. Marketing Prowess

• Innovative Strategies: They use advanced marketing techniques, such as virtual tours, social media campaigns, and professional staging, to showcase properties.
• Wide Network: They leverage connections with buyers, sellers, and other professionals to maximize opportunities.

6. Attention to Detail

• Property Presentation: Ensures properties are well-prepared and presented to appeal to potential buyers or tenants.
• Meticulous Paperwork: Handles contracts, disclosures, and other documents with accuracy and care.

7. Client-Centric Approach

• Personalized Service: They prioritize clients’ unique goals, whether it’s finding the perfect home or selling quickly at the best price.
• After-Sales Support: They assist clients even after the transaction is complete, fostering long-term relationships.

8. Problem-Solving Skills

• Adaptability: They handle unexpected challenges or complications with creative solutions.
• Calm Under Pressure: Maintains composure and confidence, reassuring clients in stressful situations.

9. Technological Savvy

• Use of Technology: Adopts tools like CRM systems, property search platforms, and analytics to enhance efficiency.
• Digital Presence: Maintains a strong online profile, making it easier for clients to find and connect with them.

10. Positive Reputation and Testimonials

• Track Record of Success: Their history of successful transactions speaks volumes about their abilities.
• Client Referrals: Satisfied clients often recommend them to friends and family, further cementing their credibility.

A real estate agent is a person who helps people buy, sell, or rent property. They are typically paid to provide information about properties and help buyers find the best property that meets their needs, I do not know about the best real estate agent in the USA but if you are in the Washington area then I recommend George Moorhead.

It is also important to note that real estate agents are not just limited to buying houses or apartments - they also offer services such as finding investment properties or helping with refinancing existing homes. There are plenty of aspects to consider when choosing a real estate agent.

• For example, some people might want an agent that is willing to negotiate on their behalf, while others might want someone who has experience in the area they are looking for. Real estate agents can also provide other services such as finding available homes for sale and helping with mortgage applications.
• A good real estate agent is one who can help you find the right home for your family.
• They should be able to provide you with a list of properties that are within your budget and in the area that you want.
• They should also be able to help you find the best mortgage rates and closing costs.

There are many ways to find a good real estate agent, but it's important to do your due diligence before choosing one, as some may not be worth their salt.

• For example, if they show up late or don't show up at all for an appointment, this is a red flag that they might not be reliable or professional.
• You can also ask for referrals from friends and family members who have had success with them in the past.
• The best way to find an agent is by researching online reviews from previous clients, as well as asking other people in your area about their experiences with them.

The cost of a real estate agent can vary depending on their experience level and specialty. The cost of an entry-level agent ranges from $40,000 to $50,000 per year. Entry-level agents earn about $30 per hour in commission rates.

Ultimately, choosing a good real estate agent is a difficult task. There are a lot of things to consider when you are on the hunt for the right agent. Hopefully the things I have told me will help you out a little in your pursuit.

Most of these services are BS and based strictly on the numbers. Simple statistics cannot and will not ever be able to tell you about the integrity, ability, and determination of the agent. It may simply be not wise to go to an agent with 25 listings— maybe they will be too busy to give you and your property the attention it needs. Fact is that all agents have access to the MLS. If you are looking to sell you’d probably do better with someone who sells a lot in your neighborhood. Getting personal recommendations and/or interviewing local agents will give you a better feel and probably a better comfort level. Also, keep in mind that many agents pay fees to be on these referral sights and some of the best will refuse this service so how would you truly know who is the best in a market? Nope, it might just give you the best stats of those agents who participate which is hardly a reflection of the best in your entire market.

You must be familiar with the saying “a bird in hand is worth two in the bush.” Similarly, the real estate agents in the USA can be found all over the country (birds in the bush), however the ones that are local to the location you are trying to purchase a home in are your best bet (bird in your hand).

Suppose, you are looking to buy a home in Blue Ridge, North Georgia Mountains. The best real estate agent in the country might be from a different place, like Florida. They will have property listings for the location but they lack the hands-on experience. Local real estate agents will know the location like the back of their hands. This ensures you end up in a safe neighborhood, in houses that are the best in the area. The best Blue Ridge Mountain homes for sale can be found among the listings of local real estate agents.

This does not mean all local real estate companies are built the same and operate with the same principles. You need to thin out the herd. You can do so effectively by relying on referrals from family and friends. If you do not have access to referrals, you can always rely on trusted Google! The ratings they provide can give you valuable insight into which real estate companies are the best and which ones should be avoided.

Good question. A complete answer would be detailed, as there re multiple factors, so I am just going to address one element.

When I was fairly new in the business and had more time, I analyzed various statistics. I found that a very high-profile, “top producer; had taken 103 listings during the previous calendar year, and sold 36. I checked the stats for another, less-known agent whom I respected, and found that during the same period, she took 7 listings,and sold all 7.

Who, then, was the more effective agent? The one with a 35% “batting average,” or the agent who got up to bat 7 times and had 7 hits? The lesson here is that “the real estate king 9or queen0” whose name is prominent, may be doing a lot of business, but not necessarily providing as good service to his or her clients as the less celebrated agent.

For good measure, here its another example of a “top-producer,’’ whose record is questionable:

I was representing the buyer, a single woman. An hour before the scheduled closing, we arrived at the house for the walk-through, only to find a distraught seller who had not been able to clear all of her stuff ought on time.

The seller’s agent — the high-profile owner of a multiple-office firm — arrived late, parked in front of the house, and then saw that his client (the Seller) was across the street with me and my client, the Buyer.

The distraught Seller was crying. My client was comforting her. Mr. Big-shot stood by his fancy car waiting, not even coming over to find out what was going on and to offer support to his client.

Because of the volume of his sales activity, his promotional propaganda portrayed him as the best, local agent. But his heartless behavior identified him as the worst.

To begin I want to disclose that I am a full time professional Realtor. Here is my best advice for you -

It is my belief that you should only hire a full time professional Realtor. There are so many people running around with real estate licenses who simply don’t know what they’re doing. I blame the industry for allowing this and the public for hiring them. Would you go to a part time brain surgeon?

Find a full time professional - someone who earns their entire or big part of their family income doing this.

Don’t get mesmerized by someone who sells 300 homes every year. A lot of those folks are the head of a team and every team member puts their listings under that person’s name. So 300 might really be actually 30 for that individual.

Talk to a few agents. Rapport is everything. If you and your agent don’t communicate perfectly with each other, that’s a bad match. Your agent should fully understand your needs and explain what can and can not work.

Speaking of explaining, your agent should offer to spend the extra time it takes to teach you everything - the actual sales process, the mortgage process in general (remember, agents aren’t bankers) and the market values. Your best agent is not a door opener. They are a complete source of information and guidance on this.

Helping a buyer to get a property today is extremely demanding. It’s also extremely tough on home buyers. However, your agent should always work hard for you, be there for you and prepare you completely.

OK, I know, you think everything is on the web. You don’t need this help. Well, you really do. Web articles are in general. Real estate is hyper local and also the type of construction and possible environmental issues in your area are also area specific.

You need an experienced, knowledgeable and ethical agent - we do exist - who will take the time it requires (tons of that) to guide you to a successful purchase.

So don’t get mesmerized with the I’m The Best Agent hype. Talk to a few agents and you’ll find the one who is right for you. The person who is a top flight professional who truly cares about you. Again, we do exist but you have to take a moment to talk to a few to find us. Sometimes you know when you meet me, sometimes you have to talk to a few. But I assure you, you’ll find the agent who’s the right fit for you if you just look.

As a real estate trainer, I've been all over the US and Canada, and worked with every type of agent you can imagine. A similar question I've often asked myself is "What is the difference between a Good and a Great agent?" Here are some things I've noticed:

Attitudes:

A good Realtor is there for you, cares, and gets the job done. They'll do some prospecting, get some business, and be happy with that. They take their job seriously, but seem like they got into real estate because it was interesting to them...not because they are focused, driven, and passionate about their business.

A great Realtor makes you feel completely taken care of. They make you FEEL like they're going to go above and beyond for you. They get back to you quickly, always calling you before you call them because it's important to them. You get the sense of focus, drive, and passion. When you hire them, you feel like you can relax. They don't fawn over you--instead they take you in hand and get things done.

Systems:

A good Realtor knows what to do each step of the way, but they give the sense that they're more reactive than proactive. If something goes wrong, they'll stick with it until the problem is solved, where a great Realtor might get it solved faster or might not have had the problem in the first place. They might be satisfied with lesser results in their business. They might spend too much time looking for a prospecting approach that's easy, or redesigning marketing materials, rather than using a tried and true prospecting system. They think and act tactically, but not strategically, not planning ahead.

A great Realtor puts systems in place to handle all the common elements of the job. They prospect religiously and block out distractions. They have connections to service providers so they can marshal the forces when things need getting done. They continually attend classes and read both inside and outside the industry (I think this would help good agents become better strategists). They think strategically, plan ahead, and execute on those plans efficiently.

There's no definitive answer to this question since everyone's needs differ regarding finding a real estate agent. However, there are some great resources available that can help you find top-rated agents in your area.

• The first place to start is by asking for recommendations from friends, family, and acquaintances who have recently bought or sold a home. Once you have a few names, you can read online reviews and check out the agent's website and social media presence to better understand their work.
• Another great way to find top real estate agents is to attend local open houses in your area. This will allow you to meet agents in person and see how they interact with potential buyers. You can also ask them questions about their experience and get a feel for their local market knowledge.
• The best place to start your search is online. Many websites list real estate agents by state. You can also check with your state's real estate commission to see if they have a list of licensed agents.
• Once you've found a few agents, interview them to see if they're a good fit for you. Ask about their experience, their knowledge of the area, and their fees.
• The best real estate agents will be knowledgeable and experienced, and you will feel comfortable working with them. Take your time to find the right agent, and you'll be on your way to finding your dream home.
• Finally, you can contact your state's real estate commission or board to get a list of licensed agents in your area. This is a great way to make it.

Handmrealestate this company is one of the best real estate agents in the USA. I think its a best for you.

In reality, it doesn't matter who publishes the data, there is only one criterion upon which it is based - the number of "sides" an agent closes in their rating period. While this may give you a good idea who may be working hard, it cannot tell you whether a Realtor will give you good representation. First many of the so-called "top producers" in the business actually have a team of assistants to back them up. The simple truth is, there is only so far a person can spread himself, so simple numbers can't define quality. In fact, many of those agents who show the biggest numbers are spread so thin their clients are often under-served. After all, if you are selling your home, would you rather have an agent who can give you ten minutes a week, or one who can guaranty to put in time specifically on your listing.
If you want to find the best agent for you, there is still only one accurate way. Interview them. Interview a lot of them. Then decide which one of them you'd feel most secure entrusting with your fortune and your future. You can't know that until you know them.

One of the biggest financial decisions of your life, purchasing a home is no easy task. Finding an experienced real estate agent to walk you through the process when you're ready to buy is essential.

Real estate professionals are vying for the position via yard signs, newspaper listings, and online advertisements. Finding the ideal professional, though, might be difficult with so many options available. Use these real estate agent hiring suggestions to locate the best person for your purchase.

Get a mortgage preapproval first.

Obtain recommendations from family and friends

Investigate prospective recruits

Interview three or more real estate brokers minimum

Request and verify references.

Listen to your gut.

A detailed examination of your contract

It should apply anywhere: I suggest asking someone you trust for a recommendation for an agent they’ve actually used. The person with the most signs in the yards isn’t necessarily the best. I’ve had clients tell me they chose me by watching me at an open house. That’s a good way to see if they’re energized and personable, and a good match for you. Then interview them. Do they know about the homes for sale in your neighborhood? Experience matters, but after a year or two they should have had time to learn the ropes. If there aren’t enough open houses near you, decide on 3 possibilities and ask for a meeting. Coffee shops are great for that. Neutral, safe place for everyone involved. I will never meet a person who calls asking for a meeting that isn’t public. There’s no commitment on either side from a preliminary meeting. You can see why a casual conversation at an open house (assuming it’s not swamped with people) can be an ideal place to get an impression. And remember that the Realtor gets to choose, too!

I know quite a few real estate agents. Some are friends, associates etc.

In 2013–2014, I knew a real estate agent when I lived in Mainland China who was inside the top 0.1% or at least 1% in his industry.

Many people probably envied him at the time. He was only 27–28. He had his own business.

He was earning a lot of money, taking advantage of a huge trend at the time - Chinese people sending money out of the country to buy in places like Australia, the US and UK:

Now he is close to broke, and trying to come back.

What happened? The following things

1. He didn’t invest his own money even though he suggested others do so.
2. He focused on only making commissions/transactional money. In other words, every time somebody bought a house, he made money. He didn’t go into areas like managing the real estate and making 1%-2% residual income on the price of the property.
3. He had bad spending habits

There his life was like a juicer. Easy in, easy out!

More commissions in = loads coming out. I am sure the high-end bars restaurants appreciated his custom!

Ironically, so must have the owner of his flat where the rent was incredible.

Then the commissions fell dramatically for many reasons, like the new restrictions on getting money out of China.

He still needed to pay the rent and his staff salaries. Then it ended. To put it succinctly, he didn’t know how to manage cashflow.

That includes his personal cashflow and the businesses’, not to mention risk management.

So, the more sensible thing to do would have been to invest his own money into private investments and get into residual income areas.

Less upfront, but more stable. It could have complimented his existing business.

Or go in the direction of somebody like Graham Stephen, who makes residual income from YouTube speaking about real estate:

His situation is similar, on a smaller scale, to football clubs. The European Super League was started due to the fact that football clubs are claiming to be broke.

That isn’t the issue. They still make more revenues than in the 1980s or 1990s, even adjusted for inflation.

The bigger problem is that as revenues increased, more went out to players, agents, transfer fees etc. Therefore, profits haven’t increased even though revenue has.

So, to answer your question, a small percentage of real estate agents are making a lot of money.

An even smaller amount actually become millionaires by assets, and stay like that.

Like in other industries, those that make it understand the maths, and managing risk.

Some Reading

How much does the average first year residential Real estate agent make?

Like 99.9% of all my real estate answers: it depends.

It depends on 1. the average selling price of homes in your market, and 2. how many deals you close. Then, the deal you have with your broker will pinpoint the exact amount.

Most people who get their RE license do so because they already have a fairly large SOI (Sphere Of Influence) that they think will give them a listing or sale in the near future.

It is very realistic to assume, in your first year, you will do one side each (a sale and a listing). Then, your exact takeaway depends on the deal you have with your managing broker. (Here in the US, most states require a newly-licensed real estate agent to work under a broker.) The initial deal brokers usually make is an “introductory rate” of 50% (or lower) because the broker presumably has time and money invested in you. Once you’ve “proven yourself,” negotiate something better (you will have other brokers approach you with better numbers). Then, you’re in the driver’s seat as to what your split will be.

Another sometimes neglected source of income is referrals. If you make a point to meet agents on the fringe of your market (or just over a neighboring state’s line), you can get a referral fee for any buyers you send to those agents. For instance, my market is Boston’s north shore. My license is for MA only, so I occasionally get a buyer who wants to look at homes in southern New Hampshire. Rather than get a NH RE license, it’s easier for me to send my buyer to my agent friend in southern NH and take the 25% standard referral fee if they do buy. I’ve discovered that taking buyers outside of my market (:45 minute drive) is a huge waste of my time and energy. I’d rather take the 25% and do zero work! Of course, this is only logical in densely populated areas, which my market definitely is. (There are even a few local towns that I don’t service simply because there is too much traffic for me to get to appointments in a timely manner. Traffic is a HUGE problem in metro Boston.)

You can calculate your first year’s income if you determine the average sales price of homes in the area you expect to serve. Remember: average sales price, not the average asking price. In my area, listing brokers ask for 5%-6% of the sale price, and offer out 2%-2.5% to the sales side. If the average sales price of a home in your market is $200k and you are the buyer’s rep for one and the seller’s rep on the other, your broker will net at least 5% of $400k= $20,000. If you’ve got a 50% agreement with your broker, you should net $10k for both transactions combined. Beware: some brokers will suddenly take “fees” out of your commission, leaving you with less than you calculated. That’s when it’s time to say “what’s all this then?!”

You should probably pose questions to some of your local agents and brokers. There is usually someone available at an office during business hours. We love to chat! (Full disclosure: an agent is eager to chat with you about joining their brokerage because they will be entitled to a percentage of your earnings for as long as you’re with that brokerage, in many cases. This doesn’t take away from your earnings; the broker pays.) We also will tell you where the best place is to get the training for your license, and maybe have classes or educational opportunities (shadowing an open house) to take while your in the pre-licensing phase. Just don’t approach an agent at an open house: our job there is to show the home to prospective buyers.

Prospect EVERY day. The more you ask people to do business the closer you are to being a top agent.

Treat others the way you want to be treated, that's Rule #1.

Learn, learn and learn as long as you're in the business.

Help others in the business. Someone helped you. It's business karma.

Learn to say NO to people who waste your time, that includes: friends, fellow agents, bosses and especially potential buyers and sellers who will not be loyal and who will not listen to your advice.

The SIMPLE rule is do not go home unless you have given out 20 business cards a day, every day you are doing business.

Don’t forget, real estate is a high “touch” people business. It is not the Internet business. Use technology wisely, don't let it use you.

Learn WHY you want to be in the real estate business. It's not money….relate everything about your purpose for doing business to THAT.

I suppose it depends on how you’re defining #1: number of sales (buyer agency); number of listings (listing agency); number of closed listings; sales dollar volume; number of transactions completed; commission volume?

That said, there are companies that offer specialized lists in nearly any area you can think of - given that you have the funds to pay. I once worked with a mailing list that targeted the top 5% of the wealthiest people in two states. The client had paid $25/name for this list.

Companies like Database USA, Info USA or Accurate Leads should be able to help you if you give them the guidelines you are needing.

Hope this helps.