How do you even pick a realtor you can trust?

That’s a good point about not letting little communication quirks overshadow the bigger picture. I’ve definitely met agents who weren’t exactly smooth talkers but knew every street in the neighborhood and could rattle off recent comps from memory. One thing I’m still trying to figure out: how do you weigh an agent’s negotiation skills if you can’t really see them in action until you’re already committed? I’ve heard some people ask for examples or even references who can speak to that specifically, but it always feels a bit awkward. Anyone ever tried a step-by-step approach to digging into that without making it weird?

I get what you mean about it feeling awkward to dig into negotiation skills before you’re actually working with someone. I’ve run into that too, and honestly, I think a lot of agents expect those questions, even if it feels a bit weird on our end.

“how do you weigh an agent’s negotiation skills if you can’t really see them in action until you’re already committed?”

One thing I’ve tried is just being upfront but casual - like, “Hey, I know negotiation is a big part of this, and I’m curious how you typically approach it. Any examples of tricky deals you’ve worked through?” Most decent agents have a story or two ready, and the way they talk about it tells you a lot. If they get defensive or vague, that’s kind of a red flag for me.

I’ve also asked for references, but I usually frame it as wanting to hear from someone who’s been through a tough negotiation with them, not just a generic happy client. It’s a little more specific, so it doesn’t feel like I’m doubting their whole career - just trying to get a sense of their style.

Honestly, sometimes I’ll even ask them to walk me through a hypothetical scenario. Like, “Let’s say we get an offer that’s way under asking - how would you handle that?” Their answer gives you a peek at their strategy and confidence level.

It’s not a perfect science, but I’d rather have a slightly awkward conversation up front than find out too late that my agent folds at the first sign of pushback. And yeah, some of the best agents I’ve worked with weren’t the smoothest talkers, but they could negotiate circles around the flashy ones. It’s all about finding someone whose approach lines up with what you’re comfortable with.

I totally get what you mean about wanting to see negotiation skills in action before you’re locked in. I’ve actually had agents who sounded super confident, but when it came down to the numbers, they just wanted me to accept the first “decent” offer. Like you said,

“some of the best agents I’ve worked with weren’t the smoothest talkers, but they could negotiate circles around the flashy ones.”

Couldn’t agree more with looking at their actual sale-to-list price ratios - numbers don’t lie, even if they don’t tell the full story. I’ve worked with agents who weren’t exactly charismatic, but when the offers came in, they’d push back and find ways to squeeze out a bit more, or negotiate better terms. It’s easy to get dazzled by someone’s pitch, but I’d rather have someone who’s a bit blunt but gets results. Sometimes I’ll even ask for examples of tough deals they’ve closed, just to see how they work under pressure. That’s usually more telling than any sales pitch.

It’s easy to get dazzled by someone’s pitch, but I’d rather have someone who’s a bit blunt but gets results.

Couldn’t agree more - give me the agent who’s a little rough around the edges but actually gets the job done. I’ve seen plenty of “charmers” who talk a big game, but when it comes to negotiating, they fold like a cheap lawn chair. Numbers matter, but I also want to know how someone handles a curveball mid-deal. If they can tell you about a time they saved a deal that was falling apart, that’s gold.