What to look for in a realtor when you're buying your first home

A realtor's job is to show you properties, negotiate on your behalf, and walk you through the paperwork. For a first-time buyer, the right realtor also explains what you're seeing — why a house is priced that way, what repairs might cost, whether the neighborhood is stable, what your actual monthly payment will be. The wrong realtor rushes you into an offer or steers you toward properties that benefit them more than you.

Start by asking whether the realtor has worked with first-time buyers before. This is not a credential — many realtors work with everyone — but it tells you whether they expect to spend time on basics. A realtor who regularly helps first-time buyers knows to explain property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA fees, and inspection reports without making you feel rushed or ignorant.

The realtor you choose should also work in the specific neighborhoods or towns you're considering. Local knowledge matters: they should be able to tell you about school districts, property value trends over the past five years, which streets flood, where the commute actually takes you at rush hour, and whether a $300,000 house in one block is worth $250,000 two blocks over. If they cannot answer these questions without looking them up, they do not know the market well enough.

Key Takeaways

  • Interview at least three realtors and ask each one about their experience with first-time buyers and their knowledge of your specific neighborhoods.
  • A realtor who works for a brokerage (the company behind them) has a legal duty to represent your interests, but always confirm in writing who they represent before you start looking.
  • Avoid realtors who pressure you to make an offer quickly, discourage inspections, or steer you away from properties because the commission is smaller.
  • Your realtor should explain the full cost of homeownership — down payment, closing costs, property taxes, insurance, and maintenance — not just the mortgage payment.
  • You do not pay the realtor directly; the seller's proceeds cover both realtors' commissions, so cost should not be your main reason to choose or reject someone.

How realtor representation actually works

When you work with a realtor, they represent you as the buyer. This means they have a legal duty to act in your interest, not the seller's. The realtor is employed by a brokerage — a company licensed to conduct real estate transactions — and the brokerage is responsible for making sure the realtor follows the law.

The commission structure is set by the seller's listing agent and the seller's brokerage, not by you. Typically, the seller pays a total commission (often 5 to 6 percent of the sale price, though this varies by market and is negotiable). That commission is split between the seller's agent and the buyer's agent. You do not write a check to your realtor; the money comes from the seller's proceeds at closing.

Before you start looking at houses, ask your realtor to confirm in writing who they represent. In most cases, they represent you. In some situations — called dual agency — a realtor might represent both buyer and seller in the same transaction. This is legal in most states but creates a conflict of interest. If your realtor works for the same brokerage as the listing agent, ask whether dual agency is possible and whether you want to proceed. Some buyers prefer to work with a different brokerage to avoid this complication.

Questions to ask before you commit to a realtor

Do not choose a realtor based on a single conversation. Call or meet with at least three, and ask each of them the same questions. This gives you a way to compare and also tells you how patient they are when you ask basic questions.

Ask about their experience with first-time buyers. How many first-time buyers have they worked with in the past year? What do they usually explain that surprises new buyers? What mistakes do they see first-time buyers make most often? Their answers will tell you whether they take time to educate or whether they assume you already know the process.

Ask about the neighborhoods you're considering. How long have they worked in that area? What have property values done in the past five years? Which streets or blocks are more stable? What are the actual commute times to places you need to go? If they cannot answer these without looking them up, they do not know the market well enough to advise you.

Ask how they handle inspections. A good realtor encourages you to get a home inspection and explains what the inspector is looking for. A bad realtor discourages inspections or tries to talk you out of asking the seller to fix problems. Your realtor should also be able to explain what repair costs are reasonable and which problems are deal-breakers.

Ask about their communication style. How often will they contact you? How quickly do they respond to calls and emails? What happens if you want to see a house on short notice? First-time buyers often have questions at odd hours, and you want a realtor who is reachable without being pushy.

Red flags that mean you should look elsewhere

Some realtor behaviors are warning signs that they do not have your interests in mind. If a realtor pressures you to make an offer before you're ready, that is a red flag. Your timeline is yours, not theirs. If they discourage you from getting an inspection or from asking the seller to fix problems, that is a red flag. If they steer you toward properties that are more expensive than you wanted or that you have doubts about, that is a red flag.

Be cautious if a realtor dismisses your concerns about a neighborhood, a house's condition, or the price. Your comfort matters. If they tell you that you cannot afford something and then show you properties well above your budget, they are not listening. If they refuse to show you properties in certain neighborhoods or price ranges, ask why — sometimes there is a good reason, but sometimes they are making assumptions about what you should want.

Avoid realtors who are vague about costs. You should understand the down payment, closing costs, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and HOA fees (if any) before you make an offer. If your realtor cannot explain these clearly, they are not ready to work with a first-time buyer.

How to end a relationship with a realtor if it is not working

In most cases, you do not sign a contract with a buyer's agent. You can stop working with a realtor at any time by straightforward telling them you want to work with someone else. There is no penalty and no fee. The only exception is if you signed a buyer representation agreement, which locks you into working with that realtor for a set period (usually 90 days). Even then, you can usually end it by asking in writing, though some agreements have early termination fees.

If you have signed an agreement and want to leave, read it carefully to see what it says about ending the relationship. If you are unsure, contact your state's real estate commission — they can tell you what your rights are. Do not feel obligated to stay with a realtor who is not serving you well. The home purchase is one of the largest financial decisions you will make, and you deserve someone who takes your needs seriously.

What happens after you choose a realtor

Once you have chosen a realtor, they will ask you about your budget, your timeline, and what you are looking for in a home. Be honest about all three. Your realtor needs to know your actual budget (including how much you can put down and what monthly payment you can afford) so they do not waste time showing you properties you cannot buy. They need to know your timeline so they can prepare for the pace of your search. They need to know what matters to you — a yard, a short commute, a certain school district, a specific neighborhood — so they can focus on properties that fit.

Your realtor will then send you listings that match your criteria. You can ask to see any property that interests you, even if it does not match your stated preferences perfectly. When you find a house you want to make an offer on, your realtor will help you understand the market, set a reasonable offer price, and negotiate with the seller's agent. They will also coordinate the inspection, the appraisal, and the final walkthrough before closing.

Throughout this process, your realtor should be explaining what is happening and why. If something is unclear, ask. A good realtor expects questions and answers them without making you feel like you are slowing things down.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use a realtor to buy a house?

No. You can buy a house on your own, negotiate directly with the seller, and hire a real estate attorney to handle the paperwork. However, most first-time buyers benefit from having a realtor because they know the local market, understand the offer and negotiation process, and can spot problems that you might miss. If you do buy without a realtor, you will still pay the seller's agent's commission (it comes from the seller's proceeds), so you might as well have your own agent working for you.

Should I choose a realtor based on price or commission?

No. You do not pay your realtor's commission directly — it comes from the seller's proceeds. Choosing a realtor based on commission is like choosing a doctor based on how much the insurance company pays them. Focus instead on whether they understand your needs, know the market, and communicate clearly. A realtor who saves you $10,000 on the purchase price or helps you avoid a bad property is worth far more than any commission difference.

What if I find a house on my own and want to buy it without a realtor?

You can, but you will still pay the seller's agent's commission. Some sellers will reduce the price if you do not have an agent, but this is rare. If you find a house you love, it is usually worth hiring a realtor to represent you in the negotiation and closing process. They can often negotiate a better price or better terms than you could on your own, which more than pays for their commission.

Can I work with multiple realtors at the same time?

You can look at houses with different realtors, but once you make an offer, you should be working with only one. If you have signed a buyer representation agreement with one realtor, working with another could create legal complications. If you have not signed an agreement, you can switch realtors freely, but it is cleaner to choose one and commit to working together for a set period (usually 90 days).

What should I do if my realtor and I disagree about an offer price?

Your realtor can advise you on what the market will bear, but the final decision is yours. If you want to offer more or less than they recommend, you can. However, listen to their reasoning. They have data on comparable sales and know what sellers in your market are accepting. If you ignore their information and your offer is rejected, that is a learning experience. If you ignore their information and overpay, that is a costly mistake.