Find an agent
How to find and compare a real estate agent
Hiring an agent is the right call for plenty of sellers and buyers. The trick is to compare a few before you commit, judge them on real local sales rather than a pitch, and treat the fee as negotiable. Here is how, plus where to look in your country.
How to vet an agent
Judge agents on evidence, not charm. For each one you consider, look at the homes they have actually sold in your neighbourhood and price range in the last year, not their company's national numbers. Ask for recent client references and call them. Check that the agent holds a current licence on your country or state's official register. Then weigh the things that decide your result: their pricing evidence, their marketing plan, the length and exclusivity of the contract, and the fee.
The fee is negotiable
Commission is negotiable in every market, and it is the single biggest cost in most sales. Ask each agent exactly what their fee covers and what they will do to earn it, and compare. To see the typical range where you live, the commission-by-country table lays it out, and the savings calculator turns the percentage into a real figure on your own price.
Not sure you need an agent at all?
It is worth asking honestly before you hire. If you already have a buyer, your home is straightforward to price, and the paperwork does not scare you, selling it yourself keeps the commission. If not, a good agent earns their fee. The honest answer on whether selling yourself is worth it weighs both, and the savings calculator shows what the commission is actually worth to you. There is no wrong answer, only the one that fits your sale.
Common questions
How do I find a good real estate agent?
Ask people you trust, then look at who actually sells homes like yours in your area, and interview two or three before you commit. Compare their recent local sales, their plan, their fee, and check that their licence is current on your official register. Picking the first name you are given is the most common and most costly shortcut.
How many agents should I talk to before choosing one?
At least two or three. Most sellers talk to only one and hire them, which leaves the fee and the marketing plan untested. A short comparison costs you nothing and routinely changes the terms you get.
Is the commission negotiable?
Yes. Commission is negotiable everywhere, and since the 2024 changes in the United States the buyer-side fee in particular is openly a matter of negotiation rather than a posted default. Ask each agent what their fee covers and what they will do for it.
Do I even need an agent?
Not always. If you already have a buyer, your home is easy to price, and you are comfortable with the paperwork, selling it yourself can save the commission. If the sale is complex or you cannot give it time, a good agent earns their fee. Run the numbers both ways before you decide.
Sources used on this page
Every legal, tax, and process claim on this page traces to one of these. We re-check them on a schedule and date the page when anything changes.
- Highlights from the Profile of Home Buyers and SellersNational Association of Realtors · nar.realtor
- What the NAR Settlement Means for Home Buyers and SellersNational Association of Realtors · nar.realtor
By country
Where to find agents in your country
Each guide lists the real local platforms and registers where you can find and compare agents, what they typically charge, and how to choose.