How to Choose a Realtor in Edmonton: What to Look for Before You Hire
Choosing a Realtor starts with finding someone who has relevant experience, strong local knowledge, a proven track record and a clear strategy for your situation. Interviewing two or three agents can help you compare their approach to pricing, marketing, negotiation, communication and fees.
The best Realtor for you isn't necessarily the agent who promises the highest sale price, charges the lowest commission or has the most signs around town. It's the person who can clearly explain their recommendations, support them with evidence and give you confidence that your interests will come first.
I've been helping people buy, sell and invest in Edmonton real estate since 2010, and I've seen firsthand how much the agent you choose can affect both the experience and the outcome.
Here's what I would look for if I were choosing a Realtor today.
How Do You Choose the Right Realtor?
Start by looking for five things:
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Relevant experience with the type of property you're buying or selling
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Knowledge of the local market and neighbourhood
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A clear strategy rather than simply a sales pitch
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Strong communication and negotiation skills
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Someone willing to give you advice you may not always want to hear
That last point is important.
A Realtor's job isn't simply to agree with you. Good representation sometimes means explaining why a home may be worth less than you hoped, why a property you're considering may not be a good purchase, or why an offer should be structured differently.
You should feel comfortable asking questions, and confident that you're getting a straightforward answer.
10 Questions to Ask a Realtor Before Hiring Them
You don't need to conduct a two-hour job interview, but you should understand who you're hiring and how they work.
Here are 10 questions I would ask:
1. How long have you been working in real estate?
Years in the business aren't everything, but experience matters.
Ask about actual transactions, the types of clients they typically represent and whether they regularly work with properties similar to yours.
An agent who primarily sells downtown condos may not have the same experience evaluating an acreage outside Edmonton. Likewise, selling a mature-neighbourhood bungalow can require a different strategy than selling newer construction in Southwest Edmonton.
2. How familiar are you with my neighbourhood?
Your Realtor doesn't necessarily need to live around the corner, but they should understand the market you're entering.
In Edmonton, neighbouring communities can behave very differently.
A home in Riverbend may need to be evaluated differently from one in Windermere, Terwillegar or Summerside. Lot size, age, renovations, school boundaries, location within the community and even which side of a major roadway you're on can influence buyer demand.
Ask the agent to explain what's happening in your particular market, not just Edmonton overall.
3. How did you determine the value of my home?
If you're selling, this may be the most important question you ask.
Don't simply focus on the number.
Ask why.
A Realtor should be able to show you relevant comparable sales, competing listings and current market conditions and then explain how your property's condition, location, size, upgrades and features affect its value.
Be cautious about choosing an agent simply because they recommend the highest listing price.
A high suggested price can sound appealing during a listing presentation, but the market ultimately determines what buyers are prepared to pay.
You want an evidence-based pricing strategy, not the most flattering number.
4. What is your marketing plan?
Putting a property on MLS® is important, but it isn't a complete marketing strategy.
Ask exactly what will happen before and after your home goes on the market.
Depending on the property, that could include:
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Professional photography
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Video and social media marketing
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Preparation and staging recommendations
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Online advertising
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Exposure through the agent's database
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Open houses
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Follow-up with showing agents
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Ongoing pricing and market analysis
More marketing doesn't automatically mean better marketing. The important question is whether there is a deliberate plan for presenting your property to the buyers most likely to purchase it.
5. How will we communicate?
This sounds simple until you're wondering why your Realtor hasn't returned your call.
Ask how often you should expect updates, whether the agent prefers phone, text or email, and how quickly they typically respond.
Sellers should also ask how showing feedback and market activity will be communicated.
Buyers should understand how quickly their agent can arrange showings and what happens when an interesting property hits the market.
There isn't one correct communication style. The important thing is making sure their expectations match yours.
6. How do you approach negotiations?
Negotiating real estate involves much more than arguing over price.
Possession dates, deposits, conditions, inclusions, inspection findings and other terms can all affect an agreement.
Ask the Realtor to explain how they approach negotiations and how they advise clients when multiple offers are involved.
An experienced agent should be able to explain their strategy without pretending every negotiation can be handled the same way.
7. What happens if my home doesn't sell?
This question can reveal a lot about a listing agent.
Ask what happens if you've been listed for several weeks without an acceptable offer.
Do they review:
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Showing activity?
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Buyer and agent feedback?
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Competing listings?
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New comparable sales?
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Online engagement?
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Price positioning?
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Presentation and condition?
The answer shouldn't automatically be, "reduce the price."
Sometimes price is the issue. Sometimes presentation, competition or marketing needs attention. You want an agent who will diagnose the problem before prescribing the solution.
8. What should I expect to pay?
Ask your Realtor to explain their compensation clearly before signing anything.
Don't evaluate the fee in isolation. Ask what services are included and what strategy, marketing and representation you're receiving in return.
When comparing Realtors, compare the complete service, not simply the commission percentage.
A small difference in fees can become irrelevant if stronger preparation, marketing or negotiation materially changes the outcome of the transaction.
9. Who will actually be working with me?
This is particularly important when interviewing a team.
The person giving the listing presentation or initial consultation may not always be the person handling your day-to-day transaction.
Ask:
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Who will attend showings?
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Who will negotiate offers?
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Who provides listing updates?
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Who answers questions?
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Will I primarily deal with you or another team member?
There's nothing inherently wrong with a team structure. You should simply know who you're hiring and who will be responsible for the important parts of your transaction.
10. What would you tell me not to do?
I love this question because it gets past the sales pitch.
An experienced Realtor should be able to identify mistakes buyers and sellers commonly make.
For sellers, that might involve overpricing, unnecessary renovations or poor preparation before listing.
For buyers, it might mean becoming emotionally attached before completing proper due diligence or stretching beyond a comfortable budget simply to win a competing offer.
You're hiring an advisor. Give them an opportunity to advise you.
How Do You Evaluate a Realtor's Track Record?
Sales numbers can be useful, but context matters.
Instead of simply asking, "How many homes did you sell last year?" consider asking:
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How many buyers and sellers have you represented?
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What types of properties do you normally work with?
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How much of your business comes from repeat clients and referrals?
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Can I read reviews from previous clients?
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Can you show me examples of your marketing?
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Have you handled transactions similar to mine?
A Realtor doesn't need to be the highest-volume agent in the city to be excellent.
What matters is whether their experience is relevant to your transaction and whether they have the time and systems to provide the level of service you expect.
Does a Realtor Need to Specialize in Your Neighbourhood?
Not necessarily, but local knowledge matters.
Real estate is surprisingly local.
Even within Edmonton, different areas attract different buyers and have different housing stock, price points and considerations.
I've worked extensively throughout Southeast and Southwest Edmonton, including communities such as Riverbend, Terwillegar, Windermere and Summerside. Those markets share some similarities, but they aren't interchangeable.
The same applies elsewhere in the city.
Your agent should understand the characteristics that influence value in your area and be able to research anything they don't already know.
Be wary of anyone who pretends to know everything.
Should You Choose the Realtor Who Suggests the Highest Listing Price?
No, not based on that alone.
If three Realtors suggest your home is worth approximately $600,000 and one says $675,000, don't automatically assume the fourth agent knows something everyone else missed.
Ask each Realtor to support the recommendation.
A strong market evaluation should consider recent comparable sales, current competition, market direction, property condition and features buyers are currently rewarding.
There can legitimately be different opinions of value. Real estate isn't an exact science.
What matters is the reasoning behind the number.
Should You Hire the Realtor With the Lowest Commission?
Commission should be part of your decision, but it shouldn't be the entire decision.
Ask what you're receiving for the fee.
For a seller, consider preparation, photography, marketing, communication, pricing advice, showing management and negotiation.
For a buyer, consider availability, market knowledge, property evaluation, due diligence, negotiation and guidance throughout the transaction.
The cheapest service isn't automatically the best value. Neither is the most expensive.
Compare the complete offering and decide which agent gives you the most confidence in their ability to represent your interests.
Red Flags When Choosing a Realtor
There are several things that would make me ask more questions before hiring an agent.
They can't explain their pricing recommendation
"I think we can get it" isn't a pricing strategy.
Your agent should be able to show you the evidence behind their opinion.
They guarantee a particular selling price
No Realtor controls the market.
We can recommend a strategy, create exposure and negotiate aggressively, but buyers ultimately determine what they're willing to pay.
They tell you only what you want to hear
Good advice isn't always comfortable.
I'd rather have a difficult conversation before listing than explain six weeks later why a property hasn't sold.
Their marketing plan begins and ends with MLS®
MLS® exposure is extremely important, but sellers should understand what else the agent intends to do to position and promote their home.
They can't clearly explain representation or contracts
You should understand what you're signing.
If an agent can't explain an agreement in straightforward language, keep asking questions until you do.
Communication already feels difficult
Pay attention to what happens before you've signed.
If communication is poor while someone is trying to earn your business, it's reasonable to ask what it will look like afterward.
Should You Interview More Than One Realtor?
Yes, if it helps you make a more confident decision.
Two or three conversations will usually give you a good sense of how different agents operate.
But don't feel obligated to hire someone simply because they spent time preparing an evaluation or meeting with you.
You're choosing someone to advise you through what may be one of your largest financial transactions.
Take the decision seriously.
How to Choose a Realtor When Selling Your Home
Sellers should pay particular attention to four things:
Pricing. Can the agent defend their recommended price using actual market evidence?
Preparation. Can they tell you what is worth doing before listing, and what isn't worth spending money on?
Marketing. Is there a clear plan for presenting the property properly and reaching buyers?
Communication. Will you receive useful feedback and market updates after the listing goes live?
I'd add a fifth: honesty.
Sometimes the best advice I can give a seller is not the advice they were hoping to hear.
That's part of the job.
How to Choose a Realtor When Buying a Home
Buyers need a slightly different skill set.
Look for an agent who helps you evaluate properties rather than simply opening doors.
A good buyer's agent should help you understand:
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Recent comparable sales
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Neighbourhood values
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Property condition and potential concerns
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Appropriate offer strategies
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Conditions and due diligence
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Condo documents when applicable
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Real Property Reports and title considerations where relevant
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Resale considerations
You should feel comfortable walking away from a property after talking to your agent.
The objective isn't to convince you to buy a house.
It's to help you make a good decision about the right house.
What Should You Look for in an Edmonton Realtor?
Edmonton presents some specific considerations.
We have everything from century-old homes in mature neighbourhoods to infill, condos, suburban developments, acreages and brand-new construction.
An Edmonton Realtor should understand how to evaluate those differences.
For example, evaluating a renovated home in Riverbend can be very different from evaluating newer construction in Windermere or Summerside.
Depending on the property, an experienced local agent may also need to help you understand issues involving permits, Real Property Reports, municipal compliance, condo documents, new-home construction, inspection findings and neighbourhood-specific resale considerations.
Local knowledge doesn't replace good real estate fundamentals.
It makes them more useful.
Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing a Realtor
How do I find a good Realtor?
Start with referrals, online research and local agents you've encountered, then interview two or three candidates. Look for relevant experience, strong communication, local market knowledge, a clear strategy and evidence supporting their recommendations. Reviews and transaction history can help, but the conversation you have with the agent matters too.
What questions should I ask a Realtor before hiring them?
Ask about their experience, recent transactions, knowledge of your neighbourhood, pricing or buying strategy, communication, negotiation approach, fees and who will actually handle your transaction. Sellers should also ask for a detailed marketing plan.
How many Realtors should I interview?
There is no required number, but interviewing two or three Realtors usually provides enough comparison to understand differences in strategy, communication and service. If you already have a trusted agent with whom you've had a successful relationship, you may not need to interview others.
How much experience should a Realtor have?
There isn't a magic number of years. Look at the quality and relevance of their experience. An agent should understand the transaction you're considering and be able to demonstrate how they've successfully helped similar clients.
Is it better to use a local Realtor?
Local knowledge can be extremely valuable, particularly when neighbourhood characteristics, property types and comparable sales vary significantly. However, local expertise should complement, not replace, strong negotiation, communication and real estate fundamentals.
How do I choose a Realtor to sell my house?
Compare each agent's pricing analysis, preparation recommendations, marketing strategy, communication process and negotiation experience. Don't automatically choose the Realtor suggesting the highest price or lowest commission. Ask each agent to explain and support their recommendations.
What are the biggest red flags when choosing a Realtor?
Watch for unrealistic promises, unsupported pricing recommendations, unclear fees, weak communication, difficulty explaining contracts and agents who seem more interested in getting an agreement signed than understanding your goals.
Choosing the Right Realtor Comes Down to Trust, Strategy and Evidence
There are plenty of good Realtors in Edmonton.
The objective isn't to find someone who claims to be "the best." It's to find the professional whose experience, communication style and strategy make the most sense for you.
Ask questions. Compare strategies. Look at the evidence behind the recommendations you're receiving.
And pay attention to whether the person sitting across from you is willing to tell you the truth, even when it would be easier to tell you what you want to hear.
I've been helping Edmonton buyers, sellers and investors navigate real estate since 2010. My approach is straightforward: provide good information, explain the options and help clients make decisions they can feel confident about.
If you're considering buying or selling in Edmonton and would like to talk through your situation, you're welcome to reach out.
There doesn't need to be a sales pitch.
Sometimes a conversation is the best place to start.
Corey Sylvester | Sylvester Realty Group
REAL Broker | 780-221-3088
Exquisite Homes. Exceptional Service.
edmontonrealestate.net
Posted by Corey Sylvester on
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