Relocation and First-Time Buyers
What are the biggest red flags when choosing a Realtor?
By Steve Lockhart
The short answer
Watch for pressure, vague answers, and promises that sound too clean: a guarantee to sell at a specific price, a value opinion without ever seeing your home, or a refusal to put terms in writing.
Full answer
Watch for pressure, vague answers, and promises that sound too clean: a guarantee to sell at a specific price, a value opinion without ever seeing your home, or a refusal to put terms in writing. Also flag an agent who cannot describe a process or a record, who attacks every competitor, or who asks you to sign before your questions are answered.
Pressure is the biggest tell. Anyone who needs you to decide today, sign today, or list today is working for the deal, not for you. Real estate decisions have timelines, but a legitimate professional explains the reasoning and lets the decision breathe.
A second red flag is opacity. Hesitation to share a license number, a brokerage, written fee terms, or a straight answer about their experience in your area should pause the conversation. Compare a few agents and ask the same questions of each; inconsistencies and evasions become obvious when you hear them side by side. If something feels off, keep interviewing. Choosing an agent is a decision you are allowed to take time to get right.
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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