Hiring a Realtor? Avoid These 3 Major Red Flags

Choosing the wrong agent can lead to lost time, money, and unnecessary stress, so knowing the warning signs is key to hiring the right professional.

Preparation is everything when it comes to selling your home. But that preparation doesn’t stop at cleaning, staging, or pricing. It starts with choosing the right Realtor. I’ve worked in this industry long enough to see how the wrong agent can cost sellers money, time, and peace of mind. If you’re planning to list your property, here are three red flags you should watch out for before hiring a Realtor.

1. An inexperienced or part-time Realtor. There are a lot of licensed agents out there, but not all of them are truly active in the business. Some agents do one or two deals a year. Others are full-time professionals selling dozens of homes annually. One of the most common mistakes I see is when sellers choose a friend or relative who just got licensed. While it might feel like a supportive decision, it often leads to stress, delays, and lost money.

A professional agent will not just agree with the price you want. If they’re serious about selling your home, they should be willing to challenge your pricing expectations when necessary. If the market is declining and an agent simply nods along with your high price, that’s a problem. They should be showing you comparable sales, square footage, and price per square foot in your area and surrounding neighborhoods. Without that, you risk being overpriced and stuck in a long listing with no results.

2. Failure to demonstrate past records. Ask every agent how many properties they’ve sold in the past one to two years. You’re not just hiring someone to list your home. You’re hiring someone to represent your financial interest in a major transaction. Some years are better than others, and there are different setups in this business. Some agents are solo, some have teams. But at a minimum, the agent should be able to explain their production and give you specific numbers. If someone has only sold two homes recently, even if they offer a discount, they may not be prepared to handle your sale effectively.

Real estate success depends on market knowledge, daily analytics, and constant neighborhood tracking. A strong agent is not guessing. They are meeting with their team, talking about current trends, and forecasting based on real conversations with buyers and sellers. That’s the kind of support you need.

3. Lack of transparency about their business. Ask about commission. Ask why they charge what they do. Pay attention to how they answer. You want someone who is professional, confident, and open. If they had a slower year, they should be able to explain why. Maybe they had a child, had surgery, or took time off. That alone isn’t a red flag, especially if they had a support team working during that time.

You want to see their numbers and hear how they plan to improve in the current market. Most agents who have been in the business for at least five years probably won’t sell more in 2025 than they did in 2023. It’s a tough market. But they should still be able to tell you what they’re doing to stay competitive and what they will do for your listing specifically.

Selling your home is a major decision, and hiring the right Realtor is a big part of that process. You’re likely paying them tens of thousands of dollars, so make sure you’re getting the value you deserve. If you have questions or need guidance, just reach out. You can call me at 904-650-3890 or send an email to Matty@PursuitRealEstate.com. I’m here to help.