How to Choose the Right Realtor -
Before, Signing "Anything."
Buying real estate—whether it’s your first home or your next investment—starts with one critical relationship: Your buyer’s agent.
This is the person who will help you navigate:
- Goal Setting
- Market Analysis
- Finding properties,
- Analyzing Properties
- Schedule Showings
- Making Offers
- Home Inspectors
- Appraisers
- negotiations
- contracts
- Lenders
- Title Issues
- Repairs
- Final Walkthroughs
- Find Tenants, and
- ultimately, your path to the closing table.
But before you sign a Buyer Broker Agreement, here’s what you need to know to protect your time, your wallet, and your goals.
🎯 Set Your Real Estate Goals First
Before you even begin interviewing agents, get clear on what you want:
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Are you buying a primary residence or an investment property?
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What’s your ideal timeline to close?
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How much are you pre-approved for—or planning to get approved for?
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Are there specific neighborhoods or property types you’re focused on?
Once you define your goals, finding an agent who aligns with your vision becomes much easier.
⭐️ Check Reviews, Ratings, and Referrals
In a world where everyone claims to be a “top agent,” social proof matters:
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Google Reviews, Zillow profiles, and Realtor.com ratings can give you insight into how agents treat their clients.
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Look for repeated mentions of responsiveness, knowledge, and negotiation skills.
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Ask friends, family, or coworkers for referrals. Bonus points if they’ve had similar buying goals to yours.
Pro tip: Check how long they’ve been in business and how familiar they are with your target market.
🔍 What Does a Buyer’s Agent Actually Do?
A skilled buyer’s agent is your advocate and guide—not just a door opener. Their role includes:
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Helping you understand market conditions
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Coordinating property showings
- Analyzing Investment Properties
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Drafting and negotiating offers
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Advising on financing options
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Recommending inspectors, attorneys, contractors, and more
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Guiding you through each step from contract to closing
A strong agent will also help you avoid mistakes that could cost you thousands.
⚠️ Why You Shouldn’t Call Every Listing Agent
It might be tempting to call every agent whose name appears on a listing—but this can hurt you more than help you.
Here’s why:
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Listing agents work for the seller. Their loyalty is to get the best price for the seller—not to help you negotiate a better deal.
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You may lose leverage if you share too much with the wrong agent.
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Multiple contacts = multiple points of confusion. You want strategy, not chaos.
💡 Instead, choose one excellent buyer’s agent who will represent your best interests and help you approach listings with a plan.
🖊 Before You Sign a Buyer Broker Agreement…
Here’s what to confirm:
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You’re confident in the agent’s experience, communication style, and alignment with your goals.
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You understand the terms of the agreement (especially exclusivity and duration).
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You’ve asked questions about what happens if you want to exit the agreement early.
✅ Bottom Line
Your buyer’s agent isn’t just someone to show you homes—they’re your partner in one of the most important financial moves of your life. Choose wisely, and make sure you’re aligned before you sign anything.
Looking for a trusted buyer’s agent in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut?
📞 Contact me directly or schedule a free strategy call (917) 721-5415
📺 And don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for more expert tipsY
