What Should I Look for When Choosing a Realtor?

People ask us this constantly, sometimes even when they're not planning to work with us directly. Here's the honest answer, the same one we'd give a friend.

What We'd Actually Tell a Friend to Look For

A skilled negotiator, a problem solver, genuinely intelligent, and someone you actually like. That last one matters more than people expect. You're going to spend a lot of time with this person during one of the bigger financial decisions of your life, so fit isn't a nice-to-have; it's part of the job.

Credentials That Actually Matter

Honestly, "top agent" awards are usually just marketing, especially when they come from a small brokerage. Designations from the Real Estate board carry much more weight. If an agent leads with an award, dig a little deeper into what it actually means.

How Many Agents You Should Talk To

Interview until it feels right, usually two or three people. If you're looking for an agent outside Utah, we can interview and vet them for you; we have a wide network of strong agents we trust. We know the questions to ask, because we deal with agents every day. 

How to Start That First Conversation

Start with communication style and getting to know the person a little, not just their resume. If you genuinely like them, then move into the tougher questions, such as "tell me about a time when..." That order matters. Fit first, then competence under pressure.

The Red Flag Worth Watching For

Trust your gut. If they're not asking what's important to you, that's the clearest sign they're not the right fit. A good agent should be curious about your priorities before discussing theirs. They should ask questions to ensure that they know what you need and how best to help.  They should also be finding out what your deal breakers are. Finally, they should be able to explain things in a way that you understand and are comfortable with. 

Experience vs. Local Knowledge

Experience is genuinely important. Markets change daily, and the more an agent has seen, the better equipped they are to handle whatever comes up. Ideally, you want a mix of both experience and deep local knowledge. It's one of the things that makes working with Utah's Modern different. Our clients get an entire team to talk through decisions with, not just one person's perspective.

The Bottom Line

Choosing a realtor comes down to trust, fit, and a track record you can verify. If you want to see if we're the right fit for you, reach out. We're happy to have that first conversation.