How to Find a Good Estate Agent
To locate an agent that aligns with your specific requirements, you can use a property professional matching service, seek recommendations from trusted individuals, or conduct your own online research.
1. Utilise an Agent-Finding Service
Agent-finding services (sometimes called agent matching services) offer a convenient way to connect with a suitable estate agent. These platforms typically feature extensive networks of pre-vetted local agents and provide recommendations based on your criteria, such as whether you’re a buyer or seller, your desired price range, or a particular geographical area.
You can easily review agents’ qualifications, sales history, and client testimonials, then arrange interviews to determine the best match. If you don’t find an agent you like, you can usually request more suggestions or simply opt out. Some top-rated services maintain stringent standards for their agents, evaluating them on experience, sales activity, past client ratings, and ongoing performance. Certain services might even offer commission advantages, such as reduced listing fees for sellers or cashback incentives for buyers.
2. Ask Family and Friends for Referrals
Personal recommendations from family members or close friends are a highly trusted method for finding an estate agent, with many buyers and sellers relying on this approach.
However, it’s crucial to ensure the agent has the specific experience you’re seeking. An agent unfamiliar with your desired neighbourhood or price bracket may not be the best choice, even if they come highly recommended by someone you know. As Dee Dee Miller, a NAR Regional Vice President, notes, “A common mistake is choosing a real estate agent solely based on a friend or family recommendation. The agent may not be well-versed in your local area or suitable for your needs, like they may have been for the referring party.”
Furthermore, involving a close friend or family member in such a high-stakes transaction could lead to awkward situations if expectations aren’t met. It’s often advisable to hire someone you’d feel comfortable replacing if they don’t perform as required.
3. Tap Your Lender or Other Experts
Mortgage advisors (known as loan officers in the US), builders, contractors, and property managers often have extensive networks of local estate agents and are typically happy to provide recommendations.
Given that lenders, like agents, typically get paid only upon the completion of a home sale, they have an incentive to refer you to reliable and effective agents. Moreover, a strong working relationship between your agent and lender can lead to a smoother property transaction.
However, be aware that a lender might primarily refer agents who also send clients their way, which could limit your options. You’ll still need to thoroughly vet any recommendations to ensure their interests align with yours.
What Makes a Good Estate Agent?
To find an estate agent who meets your requirements, look for the following qualifications:
1. Active Credentials
“Verify professional credentials through relevant regulatory bodies or professional associations,” advises Dee Dee Miller. In the UK, this means checking their membership with an approved redress scheme (such as The Property Ombudsman or the Property Redress Scheme). Many reputable agents are also members of professional bodies like Propertymark or RICS. When interviewing an agent, always ask direct questions about their professional affiliations. You can usually search online databases provided by these organisations to confirm their status and check for any disciplinary actions.
2. Full-Time Commitment
Opt for an agent who works full-time in real estate and handles a significant number of transactions annually. You can often review their sales history on property portals like Rightmove or Zoopla, or directly request their sales record.
Karen Johnson, a Keller Williams agent, highlights the pitfall of “thinking that all real estate agents are created equal, and using a part-timer who is not experienced and can’t negotiate or bring you to the closing table. Someone who’s part-time cannot be [as] available to you.”
3. Solid Reputation
Consider the agent’s reputation within the industry and among past clients. Are they well-regarded by other property professionals? Do customer reviews consistently show them to be knowledgeable and proactive? A couple of negative reviews aren’t usually a major concern, but numerous poor reviews or a complete lack of feedback could be a red flag.
When reading reviews, look for comments about their “personalities, how they handle objections, how they negotiate for you, how they represent you, market knowledge, education, and ability to work well with others,” suggests Johnson. You can find reviews on platforms like Google, Trustpilot, Rightmove, and Zoopla.
4. Local Market Knowledge
Property markets are highly localised, making it essential to hire an agent intimately familiar with your specific area. A well-informed agent should be able to provide insights on:
- The current supply of homes for sale in your desired area.
- The average time properties are spending on the market.
- The typical relationship between asking prices and final sale prices.
- Potential challenges due to market competition.
- Any leverage you might have as a buyer or seller.
- Local customs regarding offer structures, such as waiving contingencies or negotiating contributions towards costs.
- A realistic valuation for a home based on comparable sales data.
5. Relevant Experience
Selling undeveloped land differs significantly from selling an urban flat. Seek an agent with a proven track record in situations similar to yours. An agent’s familiarity and experience with your particular neighbourhood, property type, and price point will be evident in their ability to accurately value a property, identify potential issues, recommend necessary surveys, and anticipate hurdles as you progress towards completion.
6. Transparent Commission Rate
An agent should be upfront about their commission structure and what services it includes. In the UK, the average commission rate for selling agents typically ranges from 1% to 3.5% (plus VAT) of the final sale price.
It’s worth noting that estate agent commissions are often negotiable, and many highly effective agents are willing to discuss their rates. You can negotiate directly with agents or look for agencies that consistently offer more competitive commission rates.
7. Strong Marketing Skills
Review each agent’s active and recently sold listings on sites like Rightmove and Zoopla, or ask them for examples of their marketing materials. Look for clear, professional photographs with good lighting, comprehensive floorplans, and compelling property descriptions that highlight key features. Some agents also provide premium services like professional home staging and drone photography.
How to Choose an Estate Agent
Follow these steps to select the right estate agent for you:
- Find agents through trusted sources. Start with an agent-finding service or ask for recommendations from people you trust.
- Research the agents. Investigate each agent’s online presence, sales history, and client reviews. As Miller states, “Online reviews and ratings can provide insight into a realtor’s reputation. Reviewing a realtor’s website, social media, and online presence is a good way to get a feel for what an agent will offer.”
- Interview at least 2–3 agents. Karen Johnson advises, “Speak to a few agents. Definitely don’t just choose one. Usually, [potential clients] are speaking to at least two or three people.”
- Look for important qualities during the interview. You’ll only know if an agent is a good fit once you engage with them directly. “Actually sit with them and speak to them face to face, and understand their market knowledge and experience,” Johnson recommends.
- Ask for references to past clients — and follow up. “Ask for referrals,” says Johnson. After the interview, contact the clients the agent mentions. “Speak to people in that specific area that have dealt with that person before, because it is a people business.”
- Choose the agent who feels like the best match. Base your decision on what you’ve learned from your research and interviews. Consider each agent’s experience, communication style, and how comfortable you feel working with them.
What to Look for During the Interview
With Any Agent
During an interview, here’s what to look for, whether you’re buying or selling:
- They have a strong reputation, supported by online reviews and local references.
- They clearly explain their fees and what services are included (including VAT).
- They’re professional, well-prepared, and easy to communicate with during your meeting.
- You feel comfortable with their communication style and overall approach.
- They share relevant experience working with clients in situations similar to yours.
- They demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of your neighbourhood and price range.
With a Buyer’s Agent (Property Search Agent)
Here’s what to look for when you interview a buyer’s agent:
- They walk you through their buyer’s agreement and answer all your questions clearly.
- They explain their availability and how they manage viewings and offer submission timelines.
- They outline the key stages in the buying process and how they’ll support you.
- They offer examples of how they’ve helped previous clients secure competitive offers.
- They show strong local knowledge, including schools, council tax implications, and planning regulations.
- They can provide a list of trusted contacts like mortgage advisors and surveyors.
With a Seller’s Agent (Listing Agent)
Here’s what to look for when you interview a selling agent:
- They explain the listing agreement (or agency agreement), including contract length, fees, and cancellation terms.
- They share their sales statistics, such as average days on market for similar properties and their sale-to-list price ratio.
- They walk you through a comparative market analysis and explain their proposed pricing strategy.
- They provide examples of their marketing materials, including professional photos and engaging listing descriptions.
- They suggest specific, cost-effective improvements or staging advice to prepare your home for sale.
- They explain their process for evaluating offers and negotiating on your behalf.
Estate Agent Red Flags
Buying or selling a home is a significant transaction. You need an agent who has your best interests—and not just their commission—in mind. When evaluating agents, be sure to screen for these red flags:
- They rush or pressure you: Be cautious if an agent pushes you to sign a contract quickly, insists on moving fast without giving you time to think, or urges you to make offers or accept deals that don’t feel right.
- They don’t respond with urgency: If an agent consistently takes more than 24 hours to return calls or messages, that’s a problem — slow communication could cost you a home or a deal in a fast-moving market.
- They lack integrity or transparency: Watch out for agents who tell you only what you want to hear (like your house is worth more than comparable sales data supports), avoid difficult truths, or gloss over potential issues (like those raised in a home survey or valuation) just to close a deal quickly.
To get an accurate assessment, talk to a few different estate agents to get their perspective on the market and what you need to be prepared for as a buyer or seller. A free agent-finding service can save you time by matching you with top local agents without any pressure to commit.