Why choosing the right real estate agent important? Choosing the right real estate agent is a pivotal decision when buying or selling a home. It’s not merely about finding someone with a license; it’s about partnering with a professional who can adeptly guide you through one of the most significant financial transactions of your life.

Do you know where most people start their search? ONLINE! Internet is a comprehensive resource of buying and selling properties, it provides an immediate access to the property’s information including photos, virtual tours, neighborhood, and market trends. More than 93% of buyers look up agents and homes on the internet before taking action, according to the National Association of Realtors. That means reviews and search results play a huge part in the decision-making process.

Here’s how to choose the right real estate agent and what online reviews can tell you — or hide from you.

Start With the Basics

When selecting a real estate agent, it’s essential to look beyond the basic requirement of state licensure. While verifying an agent’s license through your state’s real estate board ensures they meet legal standards, it’s equally important to assess their local expertise and experience, you want someone who actually knows and understands your neighborhood.

When looking for real estate agent, you want to check if they have a strong track record, like if they’ve sold properties like yours in your area. They would most likely have the insight of what works and understand the market trend. You also need to check how long they’ve been active as a real estate agent. A new agent isn’t always a bad choice, but a seasoned and experienced one can save you time and stress.

Read Reviews With a Sharp Eye

When choosing the right real estate agent for you, understanding that reviews matter can be very beneficial in avoiding making great mistake. But don’t just look at the stars — read what people actually say about their service. Here’s what to look for:

• Did the agent communicate well and respond in a timely manner?
• Did they show up on time?
• Were they honest about price and market expectations?
• Were they proactive with providing help with inspections, repairs, and negotiations?
• Was the overall process smooth?

If a review says, “They were great,” that’s not very helpful. If it says, “Michelle told me not to overpay, even though it cost her a higher commission,” now that’s useful. One buyer told us, “I skipped the agent with 90 reviews and chose the one with 12. Why? Her reviews had real stories. Not just fluff.”

Be very stringent with analyzing comments or reviews online, as this can give you a better perspective in selecting the right real estate agent that can give you the perfect experience when buying or selling a home.

Beware of Perfect Ratings

As the saying goes “nobody’s perfect”, this is as true as it can be. If an agent has hundreds of five-star reviews and not a single complaint, be skeptical. Some platforms can be easily manipulated, so you have to be very careful. Look for balanced reviews, read all the comments and perhaps you can start a conversation with the people online to know more about a real estate agent that caught your eyes. A good agent might have a few four-star or even three-star ratings — what matters is how they respond.

Agents who reply to reviews (especially the bad ones) show professionalism. It means they’re paying attention.

Use More Than One Site

Don’t just check Zillow or Google. Try Realtor.com, Redfin, Facebook, and even Yelp. Each platform attracts a slightly different audience. Some sites let clients leave longer feedback. Others are stricter about posting. Also, be aware of real estate forums or Facebook groups in your area. They often share honest, unfiltered feedback about agents and local brokers.

Where People Post Reviews (and Why It Matters)

Real estate agents aren’t the only professionals being reviewed. Today, people leave reviews for everything — from movers to food delivery to mortgage brokers.

Platforms like Google and Yelp are well-known, but industry-specific platforms are just as powerful. For example, customers are also reviewing property managers, lenders, and stagers.

In fact, reviews show up in unexpected places. Some clients post complaints about agents under other categories, like general services or community boards. This is similar to what we’ve seen with removing reviews from DoorDash — when people leave feedback in the wrong spot or for the wrong reason, it still sticks around. And yes, it can still hurt.

So it’s important to search widely. Don’t rely on just one review site when making a big choice.

Interview More Than One Agent

You wouldn’t hire someone after reading just their resume. So don’t hire an agent based only on their profile.

Talk to at least two or three. Ask how many homes they’ve sold in your area. Ask how long their listings usually take to sell. Ask what their process looks like from start to finish.

This is also a good time to check for red flags. Do they talk more than they listen? Do they promise a price that seems too good to be true? Do they pressure you?

One homeowner told us, “The first agent I met promised to sell my house for $100K over comps. The second one showed me data and said that wasn’t realistic. I picked her — and she got me a fair price in three weeks.”

Ask for References

Online reviews are helpful, but direct references are better. Ask the agent for names of two recent clients. Call or email those people and ask them what the experience was like. Questions to ask:

• What surprised you (good or bad)?
• Was the agent easy to reach?
• Would you use them again?

If an agent hesitates to give you references, that’s a red flag.

Look at Their Listings

A good agent knows how to present a home. Check out their current listings. Are the photos professional? Are the descriptions clear? Do the homes sell fast?

This tells you how they’ll treat your listing — or how well they’ll understand what you’re looking for.

If all their listings are outside your price range or neighborhood, they might not be the best fit.

Trust the Right Kind of Gut Feeling

People often say, “Go with your gut.” That’s fine — but make sure your gut is reacting to the right stuff. Don’t choose someone just because they seem friendly or confident. Choose someone who’s prepared, informed, and focused on your goals. Look for signs of honesty. A good agent tells you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear.

The right real estate agent can save you money, time, and headaches. The wrong one can cost you all three.

Use reviews as a tool — but not the only one. Read carefully. Cross-check platforms. Ask questions. And trust agents who show you they’re paying attention to details. Because in real estate, trust isn’t built with a smile. It’s built with facts, effort, and results.