QUICK ANSWER
What makes a great realtor?
A great real estate agent is more than just someone with a license: they’re a proactive advocate who combines market expertise, strong communication and ethics to guide you through a complex transaction. Look for an agent who responds quickly, explains each step in plain language and tailors their approach to your needs. They should have deep knowledge of your target neighborhoods, a proven track record of solving problems and negotiating favourable terms. Most importantly, a good realtor listens carefully, puts your interests first and follows the National Association of Realtors’ code of ethics. In short: clear communication, local expertise, strategic negotiation, unwavering integrity and empathy are non-negotiable traits.
To spot these qualities, watch how prospective agents interact with you. Do they return your calls promptly? Do they ask thoughtful questions and remember your priorities? Are they candid about market realities rather than overpromising? A good realtor doesn’t push you into a sale; they educate you so you can make your own decisions. The rest of this guide breaks down these traits, shows you how to vet candidates and outlines common hiring mistakes.
Knowing what to look for is one thing. Actually verifying it before you commit is another. Here is how to check three of the most important traits:
Checking negotiation track record. Ask the agent to show you their buyer transaction history from the past 12 months: how many homes did they help buyers purchase, and what was the sold price relative to the list price? An agent who consistently helps buyers close at list or below is doing their job. An agent who says they cannot share that data, or who deflects to other talking points, does not have a strong record to show you.
Testing responsiveness before you commit. Send them a detailed inquiry email or text outside of normal business hours and see when they respond. This is not a trick, it is a preview. During a fast-moving offer situation, you need someone who answers in hours, not days. If they take 36 hours to reply to your first message, they will take 36 hours during your offer window too.
Verifying local expertise. Ask them to name three homes that sold in your target zip code in the past 90 days, including approximate price and how long they were on the market. An agent who is actively working that area will be able to do this without looking it up. This tells you whether they are genuinely embedded in the local market or just licensed to work anywhere in the state.
Good agents welcome these questions. They have the answers ready because they are used to demonstrating their value. Agents who get evasive or offended are showing you exactly what working with them will feel like when things get stressful.