Whether you’re buying or selling a property, having a real estate agent on your side can be a game-changer. They know the ins and outs of the market, as well as how to approach sales and people. Even experienced investors have their own agent, but the trick is finding the right one. If the agent isn’t a good match, you risk the entire process going down the drain.

Understand the Value of Chemistry

A real estate agent can be brilliant on paper. But then again, a lot of people and businesses are great on paper. But if the chemistry feels off, nothing else will matter because communication is key to a good deal. You will spend a lot of time talking to your agent, so you should always hire the one you like most. 

If the conversations feel like a grind or there’s a clash in tone, both you and the agent will end up stressed. Now, some people want an agent who is overly chatty and always texting. Others prefer someone who texts only when they have a super important update. Figure out what you want, and let it be the basis for your search.

Look for Local Eyes

There is something different about an agent who knows the area. Not the type who vaguely says a suburb is “up and coming,” but the type who can tell which street has traffic noise at school pick-up time and which back lane gets messy after rain. Local knowledge is always priceless. Nobody else can give you info about hidden parks, sneaky council regulations, or how the drivers act on the road during rainy days.

Those details matter because you inherit the whole rhythm of the neighbourhood when you buy a house. So, if you're interested in real estate opportunities in Hobart CBD, for example, you need someone who knows the ins and outs of this area. Not someone who can vaguely tell you the things you can google on your own. 

Check the Agent’s Marketing Style

Every agent has a particular way of presenting homes. Some go heavy on drone footage. Others love clean wide-angle shots with perfect lighting. The problem is, style doesn’t always match the property. If you want to buy a small, quirky flat, you don’t need to see cinematic footage of the roof. You want details about the clever layout. 

If you’re a buyer, you’ll go through hundreds of listings, so the wrong style can make a property invisible. You might end up missing an opportunity. And if you’re a seller, you must ask if this agent has the right eye for this specific property.

Question Their Workload

It’s easy to assume a popular agent is the best option. That makes sense. But sometimes the busiest people are stretched too thin. If an agent carries too many listings, it doesn’t matter that they’re the most popular one. Your property will inevitably become one of many and not the focus. 

As a seller, you must ask about how much time the agent actually devotes to each client. As a buyer, you should consider how quickly the agent responds to your questions. There’s no point in having a top-rated professional if they are always half-distracted. Sometimes, the slightly less famous agent will work twice as hard because they have the time.

Understand Their Commission Game

The commission conversation often feels awkward. You can’t avoid that, since you’ll be talking about money, and that’s always awkward. But, this conversation has to happen. Some agents charge a flat rate, others take a percentage, and the numbers can vary more than expected. 

You have to think this through. The cheapest option might save money, but that can backfire. On the other hand, a high commission doesn’t guarantee superior results if the marketing is weak. 

Don’t Forget Long-Term Relationships

Real estate is rarely a one-time event. People sell, buy, upgrade, downsize, invest, move interstate, and return again. That’s why you need an agent who understands your journey.

Choosing someone with that long-term view saves future headaches. This means picking someone you could imagine working with, not just today, but also in five years when life shifts again. An agent who is forgettable or transactional won’t provide that continuity.

Conclusion

Choosing an agent is not a small thing. This is a person who will help you secure a good deal and start the next chapter of your life. Though it may be tempting to save money by hiring the cheapest one, you have to look at the bigger picture. Their expertise will reflect on your entire life, so you’d better find someone you can trust and rely on.