How to Choose a Great Real Estate Agent

Buying a home is one of those big decisions you only make a few times—so don’t let an agent’s Instagram flex fool you into picking the wrong one. You know the type: Power Pose profile pictures, “Just showed 15 houses today!” splashed across a glossy selfie. Impressive? Meh. A sign they’re the best? Not even close. Finding a great real estate agent isn’t about who’s loudest online—it’s about digging deeper with the right questions and understanding how the process works. A great agent can save you hours and hours of work and money, a bad one and you would have been better off doing it yourself.  Or, if you’d rather skip the legwork, letting a service like SettleSavvy handle it for you. Here’s how to get it right, step by step.

Social Media Stats Don’t Tell the Whole Story

Let’s start with a hard truth: the number of houses an agent says they “show” on social media isn’t a reliable measure of how good they are. It’s more likely a humblebrag—and just plain obnoxious.  Whenever I see an agent boast about showing homes all day I say to myself "nice buddy, everyone else worked all day as well" (Cue eye roll). Sure, an agent might have a dozen listings, but that could be dumb luck, a hot market, or a bulk assignment from their brokerage. It doesn’t mean they’ll fight for your best deal or even understand your needs. Posting a photo dump of open houses isn’t skill—it’s marketing. What matters more? An agent who listens, strategizes, and gets results—not one who’s chasing likes. So, if you can look past the shiny curtain of social media profiles where do you start?: with a conversation.

Think of hiring an agent like interviewing someone for a job—because that’s exactly what it is. Set up short calls or meetings with two or three candidates minimum, and don’t just let them pitch you. Test their vibe: Are they actually hearing you, or are they too busy talking up their “record-breaking year”? Here are the questions that cut through the noise:

1. “How do you find homes that match my specific needs?” (Are they digging into your wishlist, or just dumping MLS listings?)
2. "What don't I know about this area makes working with you worth my money?" (They should be an expert in their marketplace.)
3. “Can you walk me through your last deal—what went well, what didn’t?” (Real experience beats vague boasts—bonus points for honesty.)
4. “How do you handle negotiations—any examples?” (You want strategy, not just charm.)
5. “What’s your plan if my budget or timeline shifts?” (Life happens—can they roll with it?)
6. “How often will we talk, and how?” (Text? Email? Carrier pigeon? Make sure it works for you.)

Watch for red flags: vague answers, dodging tough questions, or an obsession with their “numbers.” A good agent doesn’t need to oversell—they’ll prove it with specifics. But agents don’t work alone, and sometimes the best ones come recommended. Let’s talk about how that happens.

If you’re moving—say, from California to Texas—a great agent might come through a referral. Agents build networks nationwide, like a trusted Rolodex of pros they’ve worked with or vouched for. Here’s how it plays out: Your local agent says, “Hey, I know someone perfect for you in Austin.” They call up their contact, brief them on your budget, must-haves, and quirks (yes, they’ll spill that you’re obsessed with walk-in closets), and hand you off. It’s a warm intro—not a cold call. Why’s this handy? It skips the random Google search and leans on someone’s pre-vetted reputation.

That's if the agent referring you is actually connected with them already. So don’t blindly trust it—run those interview questions anyway. A referral’s only as good as the agent behind it. The receiving agent will be paying for that introduction if you end up working with them so the referral sending agent is incentivized to hook you up with a pro. But with every incentive comes the desire to cut corners. Based on a $415,000 home sale that phone call could net them $3100 bucks for just picking up the phone. So make sure whoever is sending the referral has your best interest at heart.

Still, chasing down leads and grilling strangers can feel like a second job. What if someone else did the vetting for you?

That’s where SettleSavvy comes in. We take the guesswork out of finding a top-tier agent, so you don’t have to scroll through endless “Just Sold!” posts or play phone tag with referrals. Here’s how we roll:

• Step 1: We Interview for You. Our team vets agents based on real stuff—experience, client outcomes, and how well they’ll mesh with you—not how loud they are online.
• Step 2: Quality Over Quantity. We narrow it down to three high-quality candidates, hand-picked for your goals—whether you’re buying, selling, or relocating.
• Step 3: You Choose. We give you the shortlist. Interview them yourself, pick the one who clicks, and get moving.

Why’s this a game-changer? It saves you hours, skips the duds, and taps into our insider know-how—plus neighborhood data you won’t find on Zillow. Want three great agents without the hassle? Sign up with SettleSavvy today!

A great agent isn’t the one with the loudest megaphone—it’s the one who listens, delivers, and fits your needs. Skip the social media hype and get intentional: interview smart, lean on referrals, or let SettleSavvy line up the best options for you. That way, you can focus on finding your dream home—not chasing down the right agent. Ready to start? SettleSavvy’s got your back!