If someone dodges the tough stuff or gets defensive, that’s usually a red flag.
Yeah, totally agree with that. I had one agent who got weirdly vague when I asked about their commission structure—like, just tell me straight up, right? Curious if anyone’s ever tried interviewing more than one at a time, or is that overkill?
Interviewing more than one isn’t overkill at all—in fact, I’d say it’s smart. Learned that the hard way after my first place. The first agent I met tried to rush me into signing an exclusive agreement before we’d even talked details. Made me uneasy, so I met with two others and the difference was night and day. One was upfront about everything, even pointed out stuff I hadn’t thought to ask. It’s a bit more work, but you get a real sense of who’s actually got your back versus just telling you what you want to hear. Trust your gut if someone gets cagey... there’s always another agent out there.
Honestly, you nailed it—trusting your gut is huge. I had a similar experience where the first agent I talked to was super pushy about getting me to sign right away. It felt off, but I almost went with it just because I didn’t want to start over. Glad I didn’t. The next person I met actually listened to what I wanted and didn’t make me feel like I was just another commission.
It’s wild how much of a difference it makes when someone’s actually transparent. I remember one agent even told me, “If you’re not comfortable, you shouldn’t sign anything yet.” That alone made me trust her more. It’s easy to forget that you’re the client and you get to choose who you work with, not the other way around.
I get that it feels like extra work to meet with multiple people, but it really does pay off. You start to pick up on little things—like who’s willing to answer your weird questions, or who gets defensive when you bring up fees. And yeah, sometimes it’s awkward to say no to someone, but it’s way better than being stuck with the wrong person for months.
Not everyone’s going to vibe with the same agent, either. My friend swears by her guy, but when I met him, we just didn’t click. No hard feelings, just different styles. At the end of the day, you’re trusting this person with a huge decision, so it’s worth taking the time to find someone who actually makes you feel comfortable.
You’re definitely not overthinking it by meeting more than one. If anything, you’re setting yourself up for a way better experience.
Couldn’t agree more about the pushy types—huge red flag for me. I’ve had agents try to rush me into deals “before someone else grabs it,” but honestly, that’s just stress I don’t need. I always check how they handle tough questions or if they dodge stuff about commissions. That tells you a lot. I’d rather take a little longer and know I’m working with someone who actually has my back.
I’ve had agents try to rush me into deals “before someone else grabs it,” but honestly, that’s just stress I don’t need.
That “someone else is about to grab it” line always makes me cringe a bit. Sometimes there really *is* another offer, but if you’re hearing that every time you look at a place, it’s probably more about pressure than reality. I get why people use urgency as a tactic, but in my experience, the best outcomes happen when clients have space to think things through.
You mentioned dodging questions about commissions—totally agree, that’s a big one. If an agent can’t explain how they get paid or what their fee covers, that’s a red flag. Transparency should be basic table stakes. I’ve even had clients ask for a breakdown of what services are included in my commission, and honestly, I respect that. It shows they’re paying attention.
One thing I’d add: pay attention to how much data or context an agent gives you. Like, do they just send listings and hope something sticks? Or do they actually walk you through comps, neighborhood trends, and potential resale value? The ones who take the time to break down the numbers (even if it’s not what you want to hear) are usually the ones who’ll have your back when things get complicated.
Funny enough, I once lost a client because I told them a house was overpriced and likely wouldn’t appraise. They went with someone else who said “just go for it.” A few weeks later, they circled back after the deal fell apart at appraisal. Sometimes being honest means losing business in the short term, but it pays off in trust.
At the end of the day, if you feel like you’re being herded instead of guided, that’s your gut telling you something’s off. Trust that instinct—it’s usually right.
