I get where you're coming from—agents definitely tend to hand-pick their happiest clients for references. If you want a more honest picture, try searching for past sales in your area and reaching out to those homeowners directly. As for fees, I always tell folks to ask for a full breakdown, line by line. Don’t be shy about questioning any “processing” or “admin” charges—sometimes they’re negotiable, sometimes not, but you’ll never know unless you ask. Comparing apples to apples is tough, but transparency is key.
Couldn’t agree more about transparency—those “admin” fees can really add up if you’re not paying attention. One thing I’d add: dig into the agent’s track record, not just their sales numbers, but how close they get to list vs. sale price. That tells you a lot about negotiation skills, which matter way more than a slick sales pitch. And yeah, don’t be afraid to walk away if something feels off... there’s no shortage of agents out there.
Track record definitely matters, but I’d argue it’s not always the magic bullet people think. I’ve seen agents with killer stats who are, frankly, a nightmare to work with—think “my way or the highway” vibes and zero communication once you’ve signed the paperwork. Sometimes those impressive sale-to-list ratios come at the expense of client sanity (or, y’know, sleep).
And about those admin fees—yeah, they can be sneaky, but sometimes they’re legit. Like, if you want pro-level marketing or drone shots of your house looking all majestic, someone’s gotta pay for that. Not every fee is a money grab, though I get why people side-eye them.
Here’s a hot take: chemistry matters more than most folks admit. You can have an agent who’s a negotiation ninja on paper, but if you dread their calls or feel like you’re being steamrolled, what’s the point? I always tell friends to trust their gut as much as the numbers. If you can’t joke around or ask “dumb” questions without feeling judged, keep looking.
And yeah, there are tons of agents out there... but finding one who actually listens and doesn’t treat you like just another commission? That’s rarer than people think. Stats are great, but don’t ignore how an agent makes you feel during the process—or whether they laugh at your terrible moving day jokes. That stuff counts too.
Stats are great, but don’t ignore how an agent makes you feel during the process—or whether they laugh at your terrible moving day jokes. That stuff counts too.
Totally get this. I’ve worked with “top agents” who treated my project like it was just another box to tick. Numbers look good on paper, but if they’re not picking up the phone or can’t handle a curveball, what’s even the point? Honestly, I’d trade a few percentage points on that sale-to-list ratio for someone who actually listens and doesn’t disappear after the first handshake.
I hear you, but I’ll push back a bit—numbers *do* matter, at least to a degree. I’ve seen folks get burned by choosing someone who was super friendly but didn’t have the negotiation chops or market knowledge to back it up. That said, I’d never recommend working with someone who makes you feel like just another transaction. It’s a balance.
Personally, I look for agents who are clear communicators and transparent about both the good and the bad. If they dodge tough questions or gloss over details, big red flag. I always ask for references from recent clients—not just the ones they cherry-pick. And if they’re not willing to walk me through their process, that’s usually a no-go for me.
At the end of the day, trust your gut, but don’t ignore the data either. A little skepticism goes a long way when there’s this much money on the line.
