Relocation and First-Time Buyers
How do I compare real estate agents?
By Steve Lockhart
The short answer
Interview two or three agents and ask each the same questions: experience in your areas and price range, pricing and marketing strategy, communication plan, and fees in writing. Compare the answers directly, not the salesmanship.
Full answer
Interview two or three agents and ask each the same questions: experience in your areas and price range, pricing and marketing strategy, communication plan, and fees in writing. Compare the answers directly, not the salesmanship. You are choosing the person who explains strategy clearly and earns trust, not the loudest pitch.
Structure the comparison so it is fair. Ask every candidate the identical set of questions, take notes during each conversation, and give each one the same chance to show their numbers, their comps, and their reasoning. What differentiates agents is usually not the resume, it is how they think out loud about your situation.
Judgment matters as much as credentials. Notice whether the agent answers the question you asked or pivots to a pitch, whether they acknowledge tradeoffs honestly, and whether they explain the risks as plainly as the benefits. When you finish the interviews, the comparison should feel clear even if the decision is not instant: trust, communication, and strategy are the columns that matter.
Go a little deeper
The Lockhart Method
The Lockhart Method
Your Home | My Strategy | Proven Results
My strategy: hire the agent who interviews well on substance, not style, and keep the standards high, local depth, direct answers, and clear communication. The right fit makes the entire process easier from the first call to the closing table.
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