First-Time Buyer Dilemma: How to Choose a Realtor Who Has Your Back

The Most Important Decision You'll Make Before Buying a Home

first-time homebuyer looking at listings

Knowing how to choose the best realtor can be the difference between landing your dream home in a competitive Los Angeles market — and losing it to another buyer. Or, if you're selling, it can mean the difference between a fast, profitable deal and months of frustration.

Here's how to choose the best realtor in 8 steps:

  1. Research online reviews and referrals — check Google, Zillow, and Realtor.com for recent, detailed reviews
  2. Verify licensing and credentials — confirm an active license and check for any disciplinary history
  3. Interview at least 3 candidates — ask the same questions to each so you can compare fairly
  4. Check their local track record — look for recent sales in your specific neighborhood and price range
  5. Evaluate their marketing plan — for sellers, confirm MLS listing, professional photography, and virtual tours
  6. Confirm availability and team structure — know who you'll actually be working with day to day
  7. Review the contract terms — understand commission, listing length, and cancellation clauses before signing
  8. Trust your instincts — choose someone whose communication style and strategy align with your goals

Despite how high the stakes are, 59% of sellers contact only one agent before signing a listing agreement. That's a costly shortcut. And with 89% of sellers choosing to list with a real estate agent, the question isn't whether you need one — it's how to find the right one.

In a high-value market like Los Angeles, where prices shift block by block and competition is fierce, the agent you choose matters more than almost any other decision in the process.

I'm Lolita Burghdorf, and after nearly two decades selling luxury properties across the Westside — from Beverly Hills to Santa Monica to Malibu — I've seen what separates a great agent from one who costs you time and money. Everything in this guide reflects what I've learned about how to choose the best realtor for high-stakes transactions in competitive markets.

Step-by-step infographic: how to choose the best realtor from research to signing infographic

Agent, Broker, or Realtor: Understanding the Key Differences

real estate professionals in an office

Before you begin scrolling through directories or calling numbers on lawn signs, we need to clear up some industry jargon. Many people use the terms "agent," "broker," and "Realtor" interchangeably, but they represent very different levels of education, licensing, and legal responsibility.

Understanding these differences is crucial because it directly impacts the level of protection and expertise you receive. It also helps you understand who is representing you when evaluating a Buyer Agent vs Listing Agent relationship.

Professional Title Licensing & Education Requirements Fiduciary Duty & Scope of Practice
Real Estate Agent Completed basic state-required pre-licensing coursework and passed the salesperson exam. Must work under a licensed broker; handles day-to-day transaction management and client representation.
Real Estate Broker Advanced education, years of active experience, and a passed broker state exam. Can operate independently, own a brokerage, hire agents, and carry ultimate supervisory and legal authority.
REALTOR® Licensed agent or broker who is an active member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Bound by law and a strict, 17-article Code of Ethics to protect consumers and prioritize client interests.

What is a Real Estate Agent?

A real estate agent (or salesperson) is licensed by the state of California to assist clients with buying or selling property. They are the frontline experts who unlock doors for showings, write up offers, and coordinate home inspections.

However, by law, a real estate agent cannot work independently. They must hang their license under a managing real estate broker who oversees their files and assumes legal responsibility for their transactions.

Why You Need a Licensed Real Estate Broker

A real estate broker has taken their career a step further. In California, obtaining a broker's license requires years of full-time transaction experience, advanced college-level real estate coursework, and a rigorous state exam.

Brokers have the authority to run their own brokerage operations, manage escrow accounts, and supervise other agents. When you work with us at the Burghdorf Group, you are working with a highly trained team directly supervised by experienced brokers who understand the legal complexities of high-value Southern California real estate.

The Realtor Designation and Code of Ethics

Not every real estate agent is a Realtor. A Realtor® is a licensed professional who has chosen to join the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

This membership is more than just a badge; it requires a formal pledge to adhere to a strict, 17-article Code of Ethics. This code mandates that the professional must put the client’s interests above their own, remain completely transparent about fees, and cooperate with other brokerages to achieve the best outcome for the consumer.

Step-by-Step: How to Choose the Best Realtor for Your Needs

home showing in Los Angeles

Now that you know the players, let's look at the actual process of finding them. In a massive metropolitan area, you cannot rely on generalists. An agent who primarily sells suburban tract homes in another county will not have the hyper-local, block-by-block knowledge required to successfully negotiate a purchase in Santa Monica or Venice.

To get started on the right foot, check out our comprehensive guide on How to Select the Best Real Estate Agent in Los Angeles.

How to Choose the Best Realtor Using Online Reviews and Referrals

The best search begins with a mix of word-of-mouth recommendations and structured online research. Ask friends, family members, or colleagues who have bought or sold in your target neighborhood over the past year about their experiences.

Once you have a few names, head online to cross-reference them. Look beyond simple star ratings; read the actual text of the reviews. Are clients praising the agent’s negotiation skills during a stressful bidding war? Do they mention prompt communication?

To streamline your search across specific Southern California neighborhoods, we recommend consulting localized directories and expert neighborhood guides:

How to Choose the Best Realtor for First-Time Buyers and Unique Situations

If you are a first-time homebuyer, your needs are vastly different from an experienced investor. You need an educator — someone who won't roll their eyes when you ask what an escrow period is or how title insurance works.

Look for agents who hold specialized designations, such as the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR), which indicates advanced training in representing buyers, or the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation, the gold standard for residential transaction volume and advanced education.

If you have unique circumstances, such as relocation needs, purchasing through a trust, or navigating credit challenges, you need a specialist. A great agent will coordinate seamlessly with your mortgage lender to ensure you don't fall in love with a home that doesn't align with your specific loan guidelines.

The Interview Process: Critical Questions to Ask

Never hire the first agent you meet without interviewing others. We recommend interviewing at least three candidates so you can compare their strategies, local knowledge, and personalities.

Treat this like a professional job interview. To help you prepare, we’ve compiled resources on Interview Questions for Realtors and a targeted list of Questions to Ask a Realtor When Buying.

Diagram: The three-phase agent vetting process - Research, Interview, Verify

Essential Interview Questions Checklist:

  • How long have you been working full-time in real estate in this specific neighborhood?
  • How many transactions have you closed in my target zip codes over the past 12 months?
  • What is your average list-price-to-sale-price ratio for buyers (or sellers)?
  • Will I be working directly with you, or will I be handed off to an assistant or junior team member?
  • What is your communication policy, and how quickly do you typically respond to texts or emails?
  • Can you provide contact information for three recent references from the last six months?

Evaluating Experience and Availability

A common trap is hiring a "mega-agent" who has great marketing but is too busy to return your phone calls. During the interview, ask how many active clients they are currently managing. If they have more than seven or eight active clients without a dedicated support team, they may be stretched too thin to give your transaction the attention it deserves.

Confirm whether they are a full-time professional or if they treat real estate as a weekend side hustle. In a fast-moving market like Southern California, a part-time agent who can't submit an offer until after their day job ends will cause you to lose out on prime properties.

Aligning on Buying and Selling Strategies

Your agent's strategy must align with your goals. For sellers, this means evaluating their marketing and technology budget.

In today's digital-first market, virtual tours are non-negotiable: 49% of buyers are confident enough to make an offer after only taking a virtual tour.

Furthermore, 52% of sellers say their agent’s ability to get their home in front of the largest pool of interested buyers is among the most important factors when choosing an agent. Ask to see their active listings. Are they using professional photography, 3D floor plans, and targeted digital marketing, or are they simply putting it on the MLS and hoping for the best?

69% of sellers say their agent helped promote their home and find potential buyers — make sure your candidate has a concrete, data-driven plan to do exactly that.

Verifying Credentials and Spotting Red Flags

An interview is only as good as your follow-up verification. Don't take an agent's claims at face value. A professional who has nothing to hide will welcome your due diligence.

Checking Licensing and Track Records

In California, you can easily verify an agent or broker's credentials online. Visit the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) website and enter their name or license number. This free search will show you if their license is active, when it expires, and — most importantly — if they have any history of disciplinary actions or license suspensions.

Next, ask them to back up their sales claims. Request a list of their closed transactions over the past year. Look for a steady track record of transaction volume in your price point and target neighborhoods, which proves they have the local relationships and experience to navigate complex escrow processes.

Red Flags: Dual Agency and Poor Communication

As you vet candidates, watch out for these warning signs:

  • A history of dual agency: Dual agency occurs when the same agent represents both the buyer and the seller in a single transaction. While legal in California with written consent, it creates an inherent conflict of interest. It is virtually impossible for an agent to aggressively negotiate the lowest price for a buyer while simultaneously trying to get the highest price for the seller. We recommend avoiding agents who frequently practice dual agency.
  • Unrealistic pricing promises: If you are selling and one agent promises a listing price that is significantly higher than what other agents suggest, proceed with extreme caution. This is a tactic known as "buying the listing." Once you sign the contract, the home will sit on the market, and the agent will immediately pressure you to take a massive price reduction.
  • Slow initial response times: If an agent takes 24 hours to return your very first inquiry when they are trying to win your business, imagine how slow they will be once you are locked into a contract.

Before you sign any paperwork, you must have complete clarity on how your agent gets paid, how long your agreement lasts, and how you will work together.

Understanding Commission Structures and Representation Agreements

Following major industry-wide legal changes, the way real estate commissions are structured and disclosed has changed. Buyers must now sign a written representation agreement before touring homes with an agent. This agreement outlines exactly how much the buyer's agent will be compensated and who will pay that fee.

Typically, real estate commissions in Southern California range from 5% to 6% of the home's final sale price, which is split between the listing brokerage and the buyer's brokerage. However, all commissions are negotiable.

When reviewing a buyer broker agreement or a listing agreement, pay close attention to:

  • The contract duration: Standard agreements typically last between 30 to 90 days. Avoid signing anything longer than 90 days initially.
  • The cancellation clause: Ensure the contract contains an "easy exit" or cancellation clause. If the relationship isn't working out, you should have the right to terminate the agreement with written notice without facing steep financial penalties.

Setting Communication Preferences and Expectations

The best agent-client relationships are built on clear, established boundaries. Discuss your preferred communication channels upfront. Do you prefer a quick text message update, a formal email, or a weekly phone call?

Establish clear expectations for response times. A great agent will commit to a standard — such as returning all calls and texts within two hours during business hours — so you never feel left in the dark during a high-stakes negotiation.

Frequently Asked Questions about Choosing a Realtor

How many realtors should I interview before making a decision?

We highly recommend interviewing at least three agents. Interviewing multiple candidates allows you to compare different marketing strategies, pricing philosophies, and communication styles. It also gives you a clearer picture of what local market expertise actually looks like.

Can I negotiate a realtor's commission rate?

Yes. Real estate commissions are entirely negotiable and are not set by law. However, keep in mind that the cheapest agent is not always the best choice. A highly skilled negotiator who charges a standard rate can often save (or make) you tens of thousands of dollars more than a discount agent who cuts corners on marketing and negotiation.

What happens if my realtor relationship is not a good fit?

First, have an honest, direct conversation with your agent to see if the issue can be resolved. If the communication breakdown continues, review your signed representation agreement.

Most professional agreements have a termination clause. If you are signed with a brokerage, you can also contact the managing broker to request to be paired with a different agent within the same firm or to be released from the contract entirely.

Conclusion

Choosing the right real estate professional is the foundation of a successful transaction. In a , high-value market like Los Angeles, you cannot afford to leave this decision to chance or hire the first person who sends you a postcard. You deserve an advocate with deep, block-to-block local knowledge, a proven track record, and an unwavering commitment to your financial goals.

At the Burghdorf Group, we pride ourselves on providing the intimate market expertise and sophisticated strategy required to win in Southern California's most competitive neighborhoods. Whether you are searching for your very first home or listing a luxury coastal estate, our team is ready to guide you through every step of the process.

Ready to take the next step with a team that truly has your back? Connect with our premier luxury realtors in Los Angeles today to schedule your private, no-obligation consultation.

Brent Burghdorf