I get where you’re coming from. I’ve definitely seen the “super friendly but clueless” agent scenario play out, and it’s not pretty. I agree with this bit you mentioned:
If they dodge tough questions or gloss over details, big red flag.
That’s been my experience too. I once had an agent who would answer every question with, “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it!”—which sounded reassuring until I realized he was just winging it. Ended up missing a couple of key inspection issues because he didn’t want to “stress me out.” Lesson learned: I’d rather have someone who’s upfront about the ugly stuff than someone who sugarcoats everything.
Numbers do matter, but I think people sometimes get too hung up on sales stats. I’d rather have someone who’s closed fewer deals but actually listens and knows the local market inside out. At the end of the day, if you can’t have an honest conversation with your agent, it’s probably not the right fit.
I get the appeal of someone who’s just honest and straightforward, but I actually do pay attention to sales stats—maybe more than most. I’ve had agents who were super knowledgeable about the area but just couldn’t negotiate or move things forward efficiently. One guy knew every street in town but let a deal slip because he missed a key deadline. For me, track record shows they can actually execute, not just talk a good game. I’d rather have someone with a proven process, even if they’re a bit blunt or not the warmest personality.
How Do You Even Pick a Realtor You Can Trust?
That’s a really valid point about the difference between knowing the area and actually getting a deal done. I’ve seen agents who could name every restaurant and school zone, but when it came to handling tough negotiations or keeping track of deadlines, things just fell apart. It’s frustrating, especially when you’re relying on them to protect your interests.
I do wonder, though—how much weight should we give to sales stats versus, say, client reviews or references? Stats can show a pattern, but sometimes they don’t tell the whole story. For example, I’ve worked with people who had impressive numbers, but when I dug a little deeper, it turned out they were mostly listing agents in a hot market, not necessarily skilled negotiators. Have you ever checked out how they actually got those numbers?
The process piece you mentioned is huge for me, too. If someone can walk you through their step-by-step plan and show you how they avoid missing things like deadlines, that’s a pretty good sign. I always ask about their backup plans—like, what happens if an inspection reveals a big issue, or if a buyer backs out last minute? I’d rather have someone who’s a bit blunt but has a system for dealing with surprises than someone who’s super friendly but just wings it.
At the same time, I sometimes wonder if we undervalue communication style. I get not needing someone to be your best friend, but if they can’t explain what’s going on or make you feel comfortable asking questions, that can create its own set of problems. Have you ever had someone who was great on paper but just didn’t mesh with your style?
It’s always a bit of a balancing act, isn’t it? I guess for me, I try to look at how they handle risk and whether they’re proactive about flagging potential issues. If they’re open about what could go wrong and have a plan, that’s usually a good sign they’re not just coasting on their stats.
Couldn’t agree more about the stats not telling the whole story. I’ve had agents who looked amazing on paper but froze up when a deal got messy. The ones I’ve stuck with are the ones who don’t sugarcoat things and actually have a plan B (and C). You’re right—being able to communicate and handle curveballs matters way more than just knowing the local coffee shops. It’s a gut thing sometimes, but your approach sounds solid.
You’re right—being able to communicate and handle curveballs matters way more than just knowing the local coffee shops. It’s a gut thing sometimes, but your approach sounds solid.
Gut feeling definitely counts for something, but I’d push back a bit on relying too much on it. I get what you’re saying about “the ones who don’t sugarcoat things and actually have a plan B (and C),” but sometimes the folks who seem super confident in person are just really good at talking. I’ve seen clients pick agents based on a great vibe, only to find out later that their negotiation skills or attention to detail weren’t up to par.
I’m a big fan of asking for specifics—like, “Tell me about a deal that went sideways and how you handled it.” If they can’t give you a real example, that’s a red flag for me. Stats aren’t everything, but I do think track record matters, especially when things get complicated. Communication is huge, but I’d still want to see some evidence they’ve actually closed tough deals, not just talked a good game. Sometimes the quiet ones surprise you...
