Choosing a Realtor: 4 Things to Try Besides Googling “Realtor Near Me”

So, you're thinking about buying or selling a home—and the first impulse is often to grab your phone and type in “Realtor near me.” While that might get you a list, it doesn’t always get you the right fit. Choosing a realtor is a major decision, it’s like choosing a temporary best friend actually–this person will guide you through one of the biggest financial transactions of your life!

Now obviously we want you to work with us, Vision Realty, but we’ve also seen our website stats and know we have readers from all around the country, so this is a guide (and warning) for everyone out there, not just those we hope to work with in the Fargo Moorhead area.

We live in a small community, and we (unfortunately for them) work with plenty of people who come to us because they first went with their cousin’s girlfriend to sell their house or found someone on the internet who would help them buy a house for “Zero Dollars Down” (whatever that means!) and have had to clean up some serious messes in the aftermath.  On the flip side we’ve seen people click the “Realtor Near Me” button on Google and wind up with a real winner.  BUT, there are tried-and-true methods of finding a great realtor.  Before you let an algorithm decide, try these four steps to narrow the field and find someone who truly aligns with your needs.

1. Ask People You Trust

Word of mouth still beats Google. Talk to friends, family, coworkers, or neighbors who’ve recently bought or sold. Ask about their experience—What did they love about their realtor? Was there anything they wish had gone differently? Referrals from people you trust often lead you to agents who are not only competent but also a good personality match. 

Bonus tip: Ask them why they liked their agent—not just if they liked them.

On a side note:  if you’ve worked with a realtor you liked, give them a referral and      a good rating on Rate My Agent or Google–it is one of the best gifts we receive!

2. Stalk Their Socials (Yes, Really)

Most realtors are active online. Check their Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube. Do they show up with personality or feel like a sales robot? Social media gives you a peek behind the curtain—use it!

3. Attend some Open Houses (Even If You’re Not Ready to Buy)

Open houses are a low-pressure way to see  agents in action. Do they greet people warmly? Do they know the property details? Do they seem pushy or patient? This is one of the best ways to get a feel for someone without committing to a phone call or meeting.

4. Ask Them Some Questions!

Do they do real estate full time?  How long have they been in the business?  Do they have any warrants out for their arrest?  Ok maybe we’ve been watching too much Real Crime TV, but you get the drift.  We love when people reach out to us for an “interview” to list their house or help them find the right investment.  Some realtors turn their nose up at these requests, but we love them–why?  Because we are good at what we do and have a track record of taking good care of people.  If we have an opportunity to talk about that, we’re all in, we’ll bring the coffee and donuts.

Final Thought: Choose a Realtor, Not Just a Transaction

At the end of the day, your realtor should be more than just a name on a yard sign. They should be a guide, a negotiator, and someone who genuinely cares about helping you succeed. Don’t settle for the first search result. Don’t run in a race to the bottom dollar, you will get what you (don’t) pay for.  Do the homework—it pays off.

If you are one of our readers from another area of the country and want a referral for a good agent in your area, reach out and we might be able to help.  If you’re in the Fargo Moorhead area and looking for “realtors near me” we definitely have your back.  Whether you just need some advice, need to know how to get your house ready to sell, just need someone to facilitate your purchase or anything else in the real estate world, we’d love to help!

Call Christopher with Vision Realty at 701-715-4747