7 Things to Check Before You Hire a Real Estate Agent

Picking the wrong agent can cost you real money, real time, and a lot of unnecessary stress. I've helped enough buyers relocate to Gainesville and the surrounding areas to know exactly what separates a great agent from one who's just along for the paycheck. In this post, I'm walking you through the seven things I tell every client to check before they commit to working with someone. One of them — commission breath — might be the most important one on the list, so stick with me.

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Start With Their Social Media — But Look for the Right Things

The easiest way to learn about an agent is to check out their social media. Almost every agent has one these days, since marketing yourself is part of the job.

The key is knowing what to actually look for. Drinking photos, family barbecues, and pet pictures are fine, but that's not what tells you if someone is good at their job. What you want to see is market knowledge — are they sharing real information about the area, the communities, and the local geography?

Agents who post bragging content like "just listed" or "just sold" aren't giving you value. Agents who post actual market information are showing you they're already working for you before you've even reached out.

Check Their Credentials and Recent Track Record

This part isn't exciting, but it matters. First, make sure they're actually licensed in the state you're moving to. That's the bare minimum.

From there, ask how many homes they sold in the last year, not ten years ago. It also helps to know who they typically work with. Do they work with buyers or sellers? Locals or people relocating? And are they experienced in your specific price range?

If you're looking for a single-family home between $300,000 and $400,000 and the agent you're talking to mostly handles rural land, that's not a good fit. The same goes in reverse. Real estate changes constantly, so recent, relevant experience is what counts.

Work With Someone Who Actually Specializes Locally

Plenty of agents are licensed across the entire state of Florida, and that's true, but it's not the same as someone who specializes in your specific area. There's a big difference between "I cover all of Florida" and "I specialize in Gainesville."

A local expert knows the small details that make a real difference — traffic patterns, restaurants, where to take your dog for grooming, farmers markets, and how far it really is from one part of town to another. They also understand things like turnover in the market, which matters whether you're planning to stay for life or just a few years and want good resale value.

Ask About Their Availability

Is real estate their full-time job, or is it a side project? That answer tells you a lot about how available they'll actually be when you need them.

It's also worth asking about their hours, whether they work weekends, and how they handle vacations or time off. A good agent should let you know upfront who covers for them when they're away.

Response time matters too. "Immediately" means something different to everyone, so it's worth getting specific. Are you looking at a same-day response, or is it more like a 24 to 48 hour window? And ask how many other clients they're currently working with — an agent juggling a large client list may simply have less time for you.

Make Sure Their Communication Style Matches Yours

Communication can make or break the entire process, so it's worth figuring out early whether your styles line up. If you prefer texting and they only make phone calls (or the other way around), that mismatch can cause friction down the road.

The same goes for tone. Some people prefer long, detailed conversations, while others are more direct and to the point. Neither style is wrong, but during a busy and sometimes stressful process, you want someone who communicates the way that works best for you.

A good agent also shouldn't put you through unnecessary emotional ups and downs. Their job is to gather information, lay out your options clearly, and let you make the decision that's right for you.

Watch Out for "Commission Breath"

This one is a big one. You don't want to work with an agent who feels like they're only there for the paycheck — pushing you toward a more expensive home or brushing off real problems just to get to the closing table faster.

The agents worth working with are willing to be honest, even if it costs them the deal. That might mean telling you a house is overpriced, or that it has issues that will end up costing you more down the road. Good agents aren't chasing every deal. They're looking for the right one, and they'll put your goals ahead of their paycheck every time.

Be Ready to Commit, Too

Here's the part most people don't think about: if you want a good agent, you need to be a good client. Good agents are selective about who they work with because they're managing their time across a set number of buyers and sellers.

If you want to be a priority to your agent, they need to be a priority to you too. Once you've checked the first six items on this list and you feel confident this person has your best interest in mind, isn't rushing you, and genuinely specializes in your area and price point, that's usually a sign you're ready to move forward.

Why This Still Matters

None of this is about finding a "perfect" agent. It's about finding someone whose experience, availability, and communication style actually fit how you make decisions and how you need to be supported during a big move. When those things line up, the whole process tends to go a lot more smoothly, even when the market itself gets stressful.

Which of these seven things would be a dealbreaker for you? And which ones could you live with? That answer tells you a lot about what to look for as you start reaching out to agents.

If you're planning a move to Gainesville or the surrounding areas, I'd love to help you find not just an agent, but the right fit for how you make decisions. My team knows this market inside and out — the neighborhoods, the price points, and what it actually takes to make your move smooth. You can read through the full buyer's guide here to understand what the process looks like before you commit to anything. And if you're curious what your current home is worth before you make a move, you can get a free home valuation here. When you're ready to talk through your specific situation, book a free call here. No pressure, no sales pitch — just honest, local expertise.