Where to find a real estate agent | How to choose a realtor | Qualities to look for | Questions to ask | Finding a realtor for specific situations | FAQ
The fastest and easiest way to find a great local realtor (by far) is through an agent matching service. These free online services recommend agents from top local brokerages who may be a good fit for your needs.
A good agent matching service can provide 2–3 solid realtors to compare — often within minutes. The best brands also offer built-in savings on realtor fees. That's a big perk, since it's hard to negotiate commissions rates with agents on your own.[1]
Asking family and friends for recommendations is also a smart move. Just make sure the agent is familiar with your neighborhood and price point.
Once you have a few good agents to compare, make sure they're a good match for your needs and personality. In this guide, we break down what to ask an agent and what to look for to ensure they're a quality fit.
In this guide, we break down all the approaches (good and bad) to finding a realtor. We also offer practical advice so you can move faster and choose the best agent for the job.
Find top local realtors, get built-in savings.Qualities to look for in a real estate agent
When selling or buying a home, your agent matters. Real estate agents offer a variety of services, expertise, experience, rates, and communication styles. Here are some qualities to help you find an agent that’s right for you.
Real estate agent vs. realtor
Real estate agents are referred to as agents, realtors, brokers, and associate brokers. All of these licensed professionals can help you buy, sell, or rent a home. However, there are some subtle differences between them.
- A real estate agent helps people buy or sell property and is typically paid commission.
- A real estate broker does the same work as an agent, but they may work independently, under a managing broker, or over other agents. A broker may be paid commission and get a portion of their employees' commission.
- A realtor is a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and may be an agent or broker.
Buyer's agent vs. seller's agent
Most agents have experience working as both a buyer’s agent (representing the party looking for a home) and a seller’s agent (representing the party selling a home). An agent's responsibilities differ depending on which party they represent.
Agents may also carry special designations, such as Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer’s Representative, Seniors Real Estate Specialist, Certified Divorce Specialist, Certified Relocation Professional, and Global Mobility Specialist.
Realtors with special designations have additional certifications and training to handle specific situations.
Is knowledgeable about the local market
Look for local agents who are very familiar with your target market. They should have general knowledge about local property values, taxes, and new construction and developments, and they should know specifics like how much inventory is available, what homes are selling for in relation to their original list price, and how quickly properties are selling.
This knowledge can help you set realistic expectations about what it takes to buy or sell a home in your target area based on current market conditions.
Demonstrates relevant experience and expertise
Real estate is local and specialized. Look for an agent who has recent transactions in your target area, around your price point, and with your property type.
Also consider whether you need an agent who specializes in working with first-time home buyers, luxury properties, specific neighborhoods or property types (like land sales), or other areas.
You can often find information about an agent's experience on an their personal website or Zillow profile. You can also look at past listings or sales. However, if the agent works for a large brokerage, it may be hard to tell which listings they directly contributed to. When in doubt, ask them directly in an interview.
Is attuned to your needs, concerns, and priorities
Real estate transactions take time, so you may work with your agent for an extended period. It’s essential to find a real estate agent who takes a client-centered approach and listens to your concerns, priorities, and needs.
You want an agent you can trust instead of one who uses high-pressure tactics, doesn’t negotiate on your behalf, or believes the solution to every problem is to ignore your budget and offer more money.
Talk with agents and read their online reviews to get a feel for how they work with clients.
Shows professional and ethical conduct
Look for an agent who can clearly explain what the buying or selling process is like. Your agent should also set realistic expectations about each of your responsibilities and challenges you may face in the current market. They should be upfront about their availability, how quickly they respond to calls and messages, and how they manage deadlines.
You can talk to the agent in person and look at online reviews to assess their reliability, professionalism, and reputation.
Is savvy with marketing and tech
Real estate agents need to stay on top of industry trends and the local market to buy and sell properties effectively. You can get a sense of how savvy a realtor is with tech and marketing by evaluating their online presence, how they market themselves and their listings, and the platforms they use to communicate and complete paperwork.
Is a skilled communicator and negotiator
Communication skills are essential for realtors. Look for someone who listens, responds quickly, communicates clearly and proactively, and has a communication style you like.
You also need a good negotiator. You agent should understand what each side wants and how to advocate for you. Ask the agents you interview to explain how they handled difficult situations in the past.
Has a strong local network
Look for agents with a strong local network who can help you find quality lenders, contractors, inspectors, and other real estate professionals. An agent with a solid network can also leverage their connections to help your deal move quickly.
Doesn't have red flags
You need an honest agent you can trust to have your best interest at heart — not their real estate agent commission.
Be wary of agents who overpromise, are more interested in talking about themselves than you, are hard to reach, or take a long time to return calls. These can be red flags that the agent is too busy, lacks experience, or doesn't have your best interest in mind. Trust your instincts if you feel an agent isn’t transparent, professional, or ethical.
Where to find a good real estate agent
1. Try a free agent matching service
| ⚡️ Fast and easy, with potential savings. Agents are already screened for you. The service is free to use, with no strings attached. Top brands send you multiple agents to compare. Some offer built-in savings for sellers and buyers. |
Agent matching services match you with local real estate agents from their partner network. Many of these companies have 10,000+ partner agents nationwide, allowing you to choose from multiple options. They're also free, so you can shop for agents with no obligation to work with someone in their network.
Why they're great: Agent matching services are much faster and easier than searching on your own. They'll ask you about your buying or selling situation, and you’ll usually get your agent matches within an hour or two. Top brands, like Clever, only work with highly rated agents, so you’re choosing from a short list of solid options. Some even offer pre-negotiated discounts, which is a big benefit (it’s hard to negotiate lower rates on your own[1]).
Top 4 agent matching services in 2023
| Company | Clever Rating | Listing Fee | Customer Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Best overall
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1.5% (min. $3,000)
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5/5 (2,940 reviews)
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Learn More | |
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2% (min. $3,000)
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4.9/5 (6,254 reviews)
|
Learn More | |
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2.2–3% (market rates)
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4.6/5 (6,641 reviews)
|
Learn More | |
|
2.5–3% (market rates)
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4.6/5 (1,178 reviews)
|
Learn More |
How to choose: To get the most value, stick with brands that offer built-in savings and a solid agent network. You can quickly tell how good a company's agents are by its customer reviews. Semya-Moya ensures its agents are top quality by holding them to high performance standards, like a minimum of five years of experience, a proven sales record, and positive reviews from clients. The company also lets you interview multiple agents before choosing one to ensure a good fit.
Unlike most agent matching services, Clever has built-in savings for both sellers and eligible buyers. So you can rest assured you’re getting a top local agent, while paying less in realtor fees.
Clever matches you with top-producing local agents from name-brand brokerages like Keller Williams, Compass, and Century 21. Plus you get special savings: Clever sellers save up to 50% on listing fees. Buyers can get cash back after closing.
Find and compare local agents in minutes. Clever is 100% free with no obligation!
2. Ask family and friends
👍 Most credible option (if the fit is right)
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Getting good real estate agent recommendations from people you know (family, friends, neighbors, co-workers) is another great option — assuming you know people who have recently bought or sold a home in your area.
Why it's great: Tapping your personal network is a relatively fast and easy way to find the right real estate agent. It’s also your most credible referral source. These are people who know you and care about your outcome, so they probably wouldn’t recommend an agent if they had a bad experience.
Potential drawbacks: We don't recommend working with a real estate agent just because they helped a family member, friend, or relative. Finding the right real estate agent is highly subjective and personal. The perfect agent for a friend could be wrong for you. The agent might not have experience in your price range or neighborhood. Or maybe you don't connect with their personality. You still need to vet them just like you would if you'd found the agent on your own.
3. Ask your loan officer or another real estate professional
⚠️ Another fast option, but brings quality risks
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Real estate pros — particularly loan officers, but also contractors, property managers, and so on — generally know a lot of local real estate agents. If you ask, they'll likely be able to give you a list of names and contact info for agents they work with on a regular basis.
Why it can work: If your first step before selling or buying is talking to a contractor or loan officer, they can usually provide some agent recommendations to help narrow the field. You get a bit of built-in vetting; these agents are (a) closing deals regularly enough to be on that industry pro's short-list and (b) legit enough that they're actually recommending them, which ties back to their own reputation.
Potential drawbacks: The biggest risk here is the "I'll-scratch-your-back-if-you-scratch-mine" nature of these relationships. Loan officers and contractors will often refer you to an agent simply because the agent refers their clients to them — not necessarily because they're a top producer or the best fit for your particular situation.
Not recommended: DIY online search
⛔️ Takes longer, difficult, risky
|
You can try a DIY online search via agent finder platforms like Zillow and Realtor.com, or search engines like Google, but we don’t recommend it. These sites yield too many options, with too little quality control, for you to make an informed decision quickly.
Our recommendation: Use tools like Zillow and Google to screen prospective agents you’ve found via better sources, like personal referrals or agent matching services. They make it super easy to find key info to inform your decision, like sales numbers and reviews from past clients.
How to choose a real estate agent
We recommend you interview multiple agents before hiring one. Choose which agents to interview based on their experience, their online reviews, how many active listings and recent closings they have in your area, and any other specific criteria you may have.
Interview your top 2–3 candidates to make sure their communication style, personality, and responsiveness matches what you’re looking for.
If you’re selling, agents should actually come to your house for the interview, if possible. This is an opportunity to learn important information, such as how much they think your home may sell for, what repairs or improvements may be needed, and what their marketing and negotiating strategies will be.
By the end of a first interview with a real estate agent, you should be aligned about your goals, the market you're in (and the implications for you as a buyer or seller), how the buying or selling process generally goes and your responsibilities at each step, and what you and your agent can expect from each other in terms of communication, availability, and so on.
» MORE: How to choose a realtor to sell your home | How to find a buyer's agent
Questions to ask a real estate agent
1. When and where were your most recent transactions?
Avoid hiring an agent who works mostly outside of your target area or who hasn't closed a listing in a while. You need an agent who understands your local market. In lower population areas, it’s common for agents to cover several towns or zip codes. But in cities and high-population suburbs, try to find an agent who specializes in your neighborhood.
2. What’s the average price of homes you handle?
Does the agent have experience in your price range? For example, the agent who just sold your cousin’s $300,000 condo might not be the best choice for selling your $2 million mansion. The agent should know what buyers in your price range are looking for and how to market your home effectively.
3. What’s your commission rate?
If you're listing a home, the agent's commission rate will help determine whether they’re in your price range and even worth considering. Your total commission will typically be 5–6%, with 2.5–3% going to the buyer’s agent and 2.5–3% to your listing agent. But commission rates aren't set in stone, and there may be room to negotiate the commission down. Some agents are willing to cut a deal for extenuating circumstances or higher-priced homes, where they're earning more commission for the same amount of work.
4. How much communication can I expect and from whom?
Some agents and brokers may work as a team, so you'll want to calrify who you’ll work with at different points during the transaction. If you’re a first-time home buyer, you might prefer to have one dedicated agent to walk you through the process. If you're an experienced home seller, you may not mind having a team working to get your home listed and sold — so long as someone is giving you regular progress updates.
5. Can you provide recommendations for lenders, inspectors, appraisers, contractors, and other professionals if I need them?
You want an agent who has a strong local network. This may include photographers, contractors, inspectors, lenders, insurance brokers, title companies, and others who can move along your home purchase or sale.
6. What specific services do you provide?
You want to get a clear sense of any and all services provided to help get a house sold or purchased. Will the agent go above and beyond the call of duty? Is there anything they don’t do that you know you absolutely want, like attending showings and inspections for buyers, or including 3D video tours for sellers?
7. Do you have a specialty within real estate?
This question can give you a sense of how invested a realtor is in their field. You might find out that your realtor is also a property manager, has their own suite of investment properties, specializes in working with out-of-town buyers, has bought and sold extensively in certain neighborhoods, or has specific certifications or training that may be relevant to your situation.
8. What kind of market am I facing? How competitive is it for buyers versus sellers?
You want an agent who understands the current market and has experience working in similar conditions. For example, in a slow market, you don't want to hire a realtor who only has a successful track record selling in a hot market. These questions can also help you see if the agent has a strategy for your transaction based on the current market, and they also give the agent an opportunity to set realistic expectations.
9. What can help me stand out from the competition?
This question can help you assess the agent’s process and what you may need to do to buy or sell in your local market. For example, the agent may suggest that you make specific upgrades because buyers in your area expect them.
10. How do you determine a home's value?
Determining a home's value is key to a successful real estate transaction. If you’re selling a home and your agent underprices it, you'll leave money on the table. If your agent overprices it, your home might sit on the market for a while and buyers may start to wonder if something's wrong with it. When buying a home, you want to be sure you pay a fair market value.
11. How do you recommend handling negotiations in this market?
This question helps you assess how well the agent communicates and negotiates. They should be able to give you specifics or examples of how they’ve handled difficult situations, so don’t be afraid to ask for details to understand their process and style.
12. Can you walk me through the buying/selling process and what my responsibilities are at each phase?
This question helps you understand the entire buying or selling process and sets expectations for you and the agent. You can know how to prepare for buying or selling, what information the agent may need from you, your level of involvement at different stages, and what exactly the agent will do for you.
Questions a real estate agent should ask you
A good real estate agent will also have questions for you to ensure they're the right fit for your situation. Their questions can help establish your expectations, needs, and experience with buying or selling. Here are some potential questions you can expect from an agent.
Questions for buyers and sellers
- What are your goals for buying/selling a home?
- What type of property are you looking to buy/sell?
- What are your deal-breakers?
- How quickly are you looking to buy/sell?
- Have you bought or sold a home before?
- What'syour preferred communication method and frequency?
- What are your expectations for a real estate agent?
- How involved would you like to be with negotiations?
- Are you familiar with the costs of buying/selling a property?
- Do you have any concerns about the transaction?
- What is your preferred closing date?
Questions for buyers
- What is your preferred location?
- What is your ideal budget?
- Have you been pre-approved for a mortgage?
- Are you currently renting, or do you need to sell your current home before buying?
- Have you identified any properties of interest?
- What specific features and amenities are essential for you?
- What do you hope to use the home for? Will it be your primary residence or an investment property?
- Do you have a preference for new homes, or would you consider a fixer-upper?
Questions for sellers
- What do you hope to net from selling?
- Do you also need to buy a home? If so, where?
- Are you planning any updates or have you recently completed any updates? Or do you want to sell as is?
- What are your expectations from a buyer?
🔎 How to find a real estate agent for specific situations or goals
Savings on realtor fees | Sell fast | First-time buyer | Divorce or retirement | Relocation | Investing | Military and veterans | Selling in pre-foreclosure or short sales | Buying foreclosures
Saving on realtor fees
To save money on real estate commission, your best choice is an agent matching service that offers built-in discounts for sellers and buyers.
Semya-Moya currently offers the best overall savings of any nationwide, full-service real estate company.
- Sellers get full service for just 1.5% commission, vs. the typical 2.5% to 3% listing commission.
- Buyers can get cash back after closing to help pay for their move.
Other savings-centric agent matching brands include UpNest and Ideal Agent. The agent quality is comparable to Clever's, but both are more expensive and have some significant drawbacks. Make sure you compare top agent matching services to achieve the best outcome.
It might also be worth investigating discount real estate brokerages like Redfin, Trelora, and Houwzer.
Redfin offers 1.5% listing fees in 80+ markets — but has limited selection and service quality risks. Trelora and Houwzer may also provide good value (particularly for pricier homes, due to their flat fee pricing models), but are only available in a handful of markets and have the same service-quality risks as Redfin.
» MORE: What real estate company has the lowest commission rate?
Selling your house fast
If you need to sell your house fast, one of your best options is finding a local seller's agent with a track record of fast sales.
You can look for a realtor with a Certified Residential Specialist designation, indicating that they're in the top 2% of realtors based on sales volume, education, and experience. Just keep in mind that plenty of top agents achieve impressive sales records without pursuing an official designation. Find a top local listing agent.
Another option for a fast home sale is to sell to an iBuyer. iBuyers, like Opendoor and Offerpad, are companies that make near-instant cash offers. They typically pay close to fair market value and can close in just a few weeks. But they only buy certain types of homes in a handful of cities across the country, so your home may not qualify.
A last resort option is selling to a local investor or "we buy houses for cash" company. They should only be used if you need to sell ASAP, or have a home in poor condition that will be hard to sell in a traditional sale.
Investors purchase properties in any condition, typically pay all cash, and can close in a few weeks (or sooner). But expect to take a hit on price: Investors usually offer 70% or less of a home's after-repair value, minus estimated repairs.
First-time home buyer
If you’re wondering how to find a buyer's agent as a first-time home buyer, you might be feeling overwhelmed. Your real estate agent is there to guide you through the home-buying process. They'll empower you to make well-informed decisions when making offers and negotiating with sellers.
While most agents will gladly work with first-time home buyers, some make it their sole focus or pursue additional education to qualify as an Accredited Buyer's Representative.
Experience — particularly in your neighborhood — is especially important. An experienced agent knows what’s normal and what’s not and can alert you to potential red flags with a home you want to purchase.
Experienced realtors also tend to have more connections with industry professionals, such as mortgage brokers, attorneys, and home inspectors. They can recommend reliable and trustworthy professionals, which takes some of the stress and risk out of buying your first house.
Finally, you’ll want a realtor who is patient and communicative. Buying a house is complicated and it’s normal to have a lot of questions. Your first realtor should be willing to take the time to answer your questions clearly and make you feel comfortable admitting if you don’t understand something.
We recommend interviewing 2–3 agents to ensure they’re a good personality fit so you can get a sense of whether or not their communication style fits with yours.
Major life changes
Some real estate agents specialize in "change of life" situations, like downsizing for retirement or selling a house after a divorce.
In addition to the standard real estate license, some agents pursue extra certifications from the National Association of Realtors. They can become a Seniors Real Estate Specialist or Certified Divorce Specialist.
The key benefit to a specialization is that the agent has experience handling the issues and conflicts that may arise during that type of home sale, especially when parties are in disagreement about the best course of action. The agent may also be able to help you sell more quickly than the typical realtor.
Relocation (remote sale or purchase)
Some realtors specialize in helping clients who are relocating to a new area.
Often called relocation specialists, these agents not only help you sell or buy a home, but may also assist with your move.
There are a few key benefits to hiring a relocation specialist:
- The agent can help with stressful tasks related to your move, like finding movers and booking travel.
- If you've not yet relocated to your destination but need to buy a house, tech-savvy relocation agents can provide you with virtual tours.
- If you're selling your home but need to move ASAP, a trustworthy agent can handle the sale in your absence.
Worldwide ERC, a trade group for the relocation services industry, has two designations for realtors: CRP (Certified Relocation Professional) and GMS (Global Mobility Specialist). You can search for certified agents at its online directory.
Clever can also refer you to top-rated local agents with remote sale or purchase experience. We offer pre-negotiated low commission rates for sellers and cash back at closing for eligible buyers.
Connect with top local agents who can help you sell on time and for top dollar. You'll pay just a 1.5% listing fee (half the typical rate), helping you save thousands!
Investing
Investors in need of an agent should consider using an agent matching service.
Companies like Clever can recommend investor-friendly agents in your local real estate market, and can even help you find agents with specific investing expertise, like rental properties, house flipping, or commercial investing. And Clever’s built-in savings can help widen your margins on the purchase and resale.
It's also worth digging into the BiggerPockets forums, which are a great resource for finding agents, investment opportunities, potential partners, or just real estate education.
Military and veterans
There are several agent matching services out there that cater specifically to members of the military, first responders, or veterans, like Homes for Heroes and Veterans United Realty.
These organizations aren't affiliated with any government agencies, but may be worth investigating to find an agent who understands the unique needs of service members and veterans. You can potentially get a commission discount or home buyer rebate as well.
That said, an agent matching service and discount broker can often match you with a military-friendly realtor and offer built-in savings.
For example, Clever provides matches based on your specific needs, such as if you’re looking for a good real estate agent who specializes in VA loans. Clever also pre-negotiates a 1.5% listing fee for sellers, the lowest of any full-service nationwide real estate company, and offers cash back for buyers on eligible purchases to help cover moving costs.
We recommend trying a few agent matching services so you can compare multiple real estate agents and price points to get the best overall fit and value.
Selling in pre-foreclosure or short sales
If you’re in pre-foreclosure or underwater on your loan, you’ll want to find a specialist to help you navigate the tricky process and get the best possible outcome.
Clever can find you a short sale specialist quickly. Not to mention, our pre-negotiated 1.5% rates will help you save big and minimize losses.
You can also try Realtor.com’s agent finder tool and use the filters to find agents with CDPE or SFR designations, which signify they have additional training for short sales and/or foreclosures. Though think of this as more of a starting point than a guarantee of practical expertise.
Zillow’s agent finder tool lets you filter for "short sale/pre-foreclosure" specialists, but these credentials aren’t verified. Agents self-submit their own specializations on their Zillow profiles, so this isn’t necessarily a trustworthy approach.
Just keep in mind that finding a seller's agent with this type of experience is hard. According to NAR, only about 14% of realtors have closed a deal involving foreclosure in the past 12 months. Only about 2% of realtors have handled more than six. Regardless of how you search, be careful and thoroughly vet any prospects to ensure they have legit experience.
Buying foreclosures and government-owned homes
If you're looking to buy a REO (real estate owned) foreclosure directly from a bank or lender, an agent-matching service can help you find a buyer's agent with extensive REO experience, as the process differs from a conventional purchase.
Same goes for government-owned properties; you need to work with an agent to buy HUD, VA, and USDA foreclosures.
You can also try Realtor.com to search for agents with investor designations, such as CDPE or SFR, or look for buyer's agents with "foreclosure" experience on Zillow. Proceed with caution: while these credentials signify the agent may have completed training, there's no guarantee it will translate into practical expertise.
FAQ about finding a realtor
What's the best way to find the right real estate agent in 2023?
The best way to find a realtor is through a free agent matching service. This method is much easier and faster than finding an agent on your own. These companies learn about your needs and quickly match you with 2–3 pre-vetted local agents. A few services, like Semya-Moya, even offer significant savings on realtor fees. Find the best agent matching services.
Do you even need a real estate agent?
Sellers and buyers aren’t required to work with real estate agents, but it’s a smart choice for most situations. Roughly 90% of sellers[2] and buyers[3] use a real estate agent and broker. Listing agents have the experience and connections to help you get a better sale outcome. In most cases, an agent’s impact on final selling price more than makes up for their commission fee. Buyer's agents are effectively free to work with. A good buyer’s agent can save you a lot of time and stress, especially if you’re a less experienced buyer or relocating to a new area.
When should you start your search for a real estate agent?
It’s never too early to reach out to agents to start asking questions and weighing your options. If you're selling, try to find your realtor at least 4–6 months in advance. You'll have plenty of time to prep your home and choose the best time to sell. If you're a buyer, you can also reach out to agents in advance. But most agents will likely answer your questions, then recommend you get back in touch when you’re ready to start house hunting. Getting pre-approved by a lender before contacting agents can signal you’re serious and ready to make offers.
How much does a real estate agent cost?
Most real estate agents collect 2.5–3% of a home’s sale price as a commission fee at closing. Because most home sales involve two agents, the total commission is usually between 5–6%. If you’re the seller, you’ll typically pay the total commission out of your sale proceeds, not out of pocket. Some companies offer significant discounts on realtor fees for sellers — in some cases, with no reduction in service quality or scope. Find out which companies offer the lowest commission rates.
How to pick a real estate agent for buying
When buying a house, your real estate agent’s experience and negotiating skills matter a lot. You want an agent who has experience in the neighborhood or town you’re looking to move to and one who has a clear negotiating strategy for getting you the right price. You may also want to consider if an agent offers some sort of cost-benefit when you buy. For example, eligible buyers who find their agent through Clever can get cash back after closing to help cover moving costs. Find out how to save on your next home purchase with Clever.
How to find a real estate agent to sell
We recommend using an agent matching service when looking for a realtor to help sell your house. Agent matching services pair you with real estate agents based on your unique needs and expectations, such as your desired sale price, location, and property type. Some agent matching services, like Clever, will also pre-negotiate discounted listing fees on your behalf, which could save you thousands of dollars. Learn more about how an agent matching service can help.
How to find a real estate agent in another state
Agent matching services like Clever are the best way to find an agent in another state. They can match you with a top real estate agent in your new state. You’ll have a local expert who can find neighborhoods that meet your expectations and who can relieve the stress of finding a new home. Talk to a Clever Concierge now and find your real estate agent!
Why trust us?
Clever has helped thousands of people, just like you, find great real estate agents and save money when selling or buying their homes. Finding a good real estate agent is a topic we’re well acquainted with — and have a lot of opinions on.
About our recommendations
It's our honest and objective opinion that, for most people, the best way to find the perfect real estate agent is to use a free agent matching service — whether it’s Clever or one of our competitors.
Agent matching services are the fastest, easiest way to get a short-list of good options. If you find an agent you like through a brand offering built-in savings, you’re getting a lot of value with no real drawbacks. Discounts are hard to negotiate on your own, especially if you've never done it before.
Ultimately, the most important thing is finding the best agent for the job. Sometimes agent matching services (including our own) simply won’t have any agents you like — or another approach will make more sense.
Our primary objective is empowering you to make smarter real estate decisions, achieve your goals, and save some money while you're at it. To that end, we strive to deliver highly objective, practical guides that cover a variety of different methods and companies so you get the best possible outcome, whether you choose to use our service or not.
About the author
I've been writing about real estate professionally for the better part of a decade — I've written and edited dozens of guides about discount real estate brokers, agent matching services, and how to save money when buying or selling a home.
My wife and I found our realtor using Clever's agent matching service. We got matched with a great agent, who helped us buy our home for its asking price in a competitive market. Plus we got a check for $2,000 cash back after closing. Not too shabby.
While Clever's agent matching service worked for us, there's obviously no guarantee it will work for you. But since it's free, with no risk or obligation, it's definitely worth a try. If you don't like the agent Clever recommends, you can just walk away and find an agent elsewhere.
Jamie Ayers
Author, Researcher, Content Product Manager at Clever
