Yeah, I’ve run into that too—agents who can talk circles around you but disappear when things get hairy. I always ask for specifics: “Tell me about a deal that almost fell apart and what you did to save it.” If they can’t give a straight answer, that’s a red flag. I also like to see how they react if you push back on their strategy or pricing. Are they defensive, or do they explain their reasoning?
One thing I started doing is calling a couple of their past clients, not just the ones they cherry-pick. Sometimes you get a totally different story than what’s in their reviews. Also, I pay attention to how fast they respond to texts or calls, especially early on. If they’re slow before you sign, it’s probably not getting better.
Curious—has anyone ever had an agent who wasn’t super personable but still crushed it on the negotiation side? I’ve had one or two who weren’t exactly warm and fuzzy, but man, they got results. Wondering if that’s more common than we think...
I hear you on the “not warm and fuzzy” agents. Had one who barely cracked a smile, but when it came to getting the price down, she was like a shark in a suit. Didn’t always feel like a buddy, but my wallet thanked her later. Sometimes I think we get too hung up on charm—give me results over small talk any day. Still, a little friendliness doesn’t hurt... unless you’re negotiating, then maybe it does.
Couldn’t agree more—results matter a lot more than a winning smile when you’re talking about big numbers. I’ve worked with agents who barely made eye contact, but they knew how to read the room and push for every dollar. That said, I do think a bit of rapport helps smooth things out, especially when deals get tense. But if I had to pick, I’d take the tough negotiator over the charmer every time. At the end of the day, it’s your bottom line that counts.
I hear you, but I’d argue you need both—someone who’ll fight for your price but also knows how to keep everyone at the table when things get heated. My process is pretty simple: I check their track record, ask for recent deal examples, and see how they handle tough questions. If they dodge or get defensive, that’s a red flag. I’ve had agents who were all business and got results, but the best ones could read people and situations, not just numbers.
I totally get what you mean about agents needing people skills, not just negotiation chops. I’ve met a few who could talk numbers all day but froze up when things got tense between buyers and sellers. That’s when deals fall apart, honestly.
One thing I always wonder—how much do you weigh their communication style? Like, if they’re super responsive but maybe not the smoothest talker, does that matter as much as their track record? I had an agent once who was a little awkward in person but always kept me in the loop and explained every step. Made me feel way more confident, even if he wasn’t the flashiest guy in the room.
Also, curious if anyone checks out their online reviews or just goes off referrals. Sometimes those reviews are all over the place... hard to know what’s legit and what’s just sour grapes.