Choosing the wrong agent can lead to poor results, lost money, and a stressful experience.

How do you know if you’re choosing the right real estate agent?

It’s one of the most important decisions you’ll make when buying or selling a home, yet it’s also where many people go wrong.

Not all agents approach the job the same way. Even though they share the same title, the way they run their business, serve clients, and deliver results can vary significantly.

Your agent choice directly impacts your price, timeline, and overall experience.

To make sure you get the results you want, here are three areas you should focus on before making your decision:

1. Capacity: Are they full-time or just "side-hustling"? The barrier to entry in this industry is surprisingly low. It only takes 90 hours of education to get a license. Because of that, 60% to 80% of agents out there are doing this part-time or as a side hustle. In fact, the majority of agents sold zero homes last year, and the average agent only sold six.

At the Holz Group, we sell a home every three to four days. That’s what I mean by capacity. You need to know if your agent is doing this as a full-time career or just on the side. 

If they are full-time, ask about their support system. Are they flying solo, or do they have a team helping them stay in the trenches? You’re paying them to strategize, market your property, and network with buyers and sellers. Just because two people have the same job description doesn’t mean they do the job the same way.

2. Service: Understanding the expectations. What kind of service do you expect, and what is the agent actually providing? Not all agents treat their business the same.

● Full service: These agents generally get paid when they actually get you to the closing table. All marketing and services are usually included in their plan.

● Flat rate or discount: You often pay an upfront fee here. However, there is no "skin in the game" for that agent. They have already been paid, so they may not be as motivated to ensure you get the best possible result.

If you decide on full service, you need to interrogate exactly what is included. Since we are independent contractors, every agent decides on their own service and marketing plan. Don't assume everyone offers the same thing.

3. Experience: A proven track record of results. Lastly, look at the data. Anyone can make a promise, but can they back it up? Don’t fall for empty words. Ask for their personal performance data:

● What’s their average "days on market"?

● What’s the gap between their asking prices and final sales prices?

This gap tells you exactly how strong a negotiator they are. If someone is controlling your largest financial asset, you want to make sure they are a tough negotiator who can protect your equity.

Look at the facts and the experience. If you’re curious about how we get a home sold every three to four days, or how our 20 years of experience nets our clients over $10,000 more in their pockets, we would be honored to chat. You can reach me at (651) 998-9829 or info@holzgroup.com. I’m always here to help.