What Makes a Good Real Estate Agent? Here's What to Look For

One of the biggest misconceptions about buying a home in Portland? Thinking you need to have it all figured out before reaching out to a real estate agent. But that’s exactly what a great agent is there for.

The only thing you really need to do at the start of your home-buying journey is find the right agent—someone who fits your goals, communicates well, and actually has your back.

So, how do you spot the good ones? Let’s talk about it.

Curious about buying a home in Portland? Let’s chat (no pressure, no pitches). 

When to start looking for a real estate agent

If you’re even thinking about buying a home, it’s a good idea to connect with an agent sooner rather than later. 

Why?

• They help you create a plan. Even if you’re months (or years) away from making a move, an agent can guide you through next steps, from financial preparation to understanding the market.

• They can connect you with a lender. If you’re not sure where to start with financing, a great agent will have trusted lender recommendations and can help you understand your budget.

• They’ll help you set realistic expectations. The market in Portland is competitive. A great agent won’t sugarcoat anything—they’ll give you realistic insight into what’s possible based on your budget and goals. 

• You’ll be ahead of the game when you’re ready to buy. Many buyers wait until they’ve already found a home they love to reach out to an agent. That’s too late in most cases. Working with an agent early means you’ll be prepared to move quickly when the right home hits the market, so you can avoid the heartbreak of missing out on your dream home.

Bottom line? You don’t need to have your finances locked in, know exactly what you want, or be 100% ready to buy before reaching out to an agent. In fact, the earlier you start the conversation, the smoother the process will be when you’re ready to take the next step.

What makes a great real estate agent?

There are a ton of real estate agents out there, and they all have their own styles. Some will be your ride-or-die house-hunting partner—they’ll answer your 10 p.m. texts and tell you when a house isn’t the right fit.

Others? Let’s just say others are more of a send-an-email-and-call-it-a-day type. 

So, how do you find the right agent? Here’s what actually matters:

They actually do the work. 

Ever meet an agent who just sits back and waits for you to send them houses you found on Zillow? Yeah, that’s not the one you want in your corner. 

A great agent is constantly working behind the scenes, searching for listings that fit your criteria—even the ones that haven’t hit the market yet. They’re proactively sending options, setting up showings, and making sure you don’t miss out on a great opportunity. 

If you feel like you’re doing all the legwork, that’s a red flag. 

They speak your language (not just realtor-speak).

Real estate has its own weird language—contingencies, earnest money, escrow… I can tell you’re dissociating even just reading those words. 

A great agent doesn’t just throw these terms at you like you should already know them. Instead, they break it down in plain English, making sure you actually understand what’s happening every step of the way. 

Buying a home is a huge deal, and you deserve someone who makes the process feel easy, not overwhelming.

They don’t shy away from ‘tough love.’

Here’s the thing — sometimes, the best agent is the one who doesn’t immediately jump on writing an offer. They’ll ask the hard questions: 

"Are you sure about this one? It backs up to a highway, and road noise is bad for resale.” 

“That price seems high for the neighborhood—do you want to take another look?” 

A great agent isn’t afraid to challenge you because their goal isn’t just to get you a house—it’s to get you the right house.

They are proactive communicators. 

“Hey, just checking in…” is a message you should never have to send to your real estate agent.

A great agent is ahead of the game. They text you with updates before you even have to ask. They remind you about important deadlines, explain what’s coming next, and make sure you always know where things stand. 

Home buying moves fast. You need someone who is on top of it!

They’re someone you actually like spending time with. 

Buying a home is a lot. One minute, you’re fantasizing about backyard BBQs, and the next, you’re having a full-blown panic attack about interest rates. 

A great real estate agent should keep you from having that panic attack. But if you have it anyway, don’t you want it to be with someone you actually like… dare I say, a friend?

Your agent isn’t just there to handle logistics. They’re someone you feel comfortable with, someone who listens, reassures, and maybe even makes you laugh when you need it. 

At the end of the day, it comes down to who you vibe with. This is someone you’ll be texting non-stop, meeting up with to tour houses, and trusting with one of the biggest financial decisions of your life.

Pick someone who makes the process less stressful, not more.

Questions to ask when choosing your real estate agent

So, you’ve found a few real estate agents who seem like a good fit—now what?

Before you commit, line up a little coffee date to make sure they’re the right person to guide you through the home-buying process. A quick conversation can help you figure out if they’re engaged, knowledgeable, and—most importantly—someone you’ll actually enjoy working with.

Here are a few questions to ask:

‘How do you typically help buyers like me?’

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, upgrading, downsizing, or relocating, a great agent should have a game plan. If they specialize in luxury homes and you’re looking for a starter condo, or if they mainly work with investors, they might not be the best fit.

‘What’s your communication style?’

Some agents are texters. Others love a good phone call. Some will send you a full-on email breakdown every week. 

There’s no right or wrong answer, but you want someone who matches your preferred way of communicating—and who actually keeps you in the loop.

‘Can you walk me through your process?’

A great agent should have a clear roadmap for how they guide buyers from the first meeting to closing. If they can’t explain their process, that’s a red flag. You don’t want someone who just throws listings your way and hopes for the best.

‘How often should I expect to hear from you?’

Home buying moves fast, and you need an agent who stays on top of things. If they tell you, “I’ll check in if anything comes up,” that’s not enough. You want someone who will be proactive, keeping you informed every step of the way.

‘Who else will I be working with?’

Some agents work solo, while others have a team. If they have assistants or junior agents, make sure you know who will actually be handling your search so you’re not blindsided when someone else shows up to a showing.

‘Do you have trusted lenders you work with?’

A good agent should have solid relationships with lenders and other professionals to help move the process along smoothly. If they can’t recommend anyone, that might be a sign they’re not as connected as they should be.

Final thought: Finding the right real estate agent comes down to one thing: trust

Yes, the questions we’ve outlined in this blog matter. Yes, experience and communication are important. But at the end of the day, trust your instincts.

Do they seem engaged in your conversation? Are they asking you thoughtful questions to understand your needs? Do you actually enjoy talking to them?

This is someone who will be guiding you through one of the biggest purchases of your life—you want to feel confident that they have your back.

If you’re thinking about buying in Portland and want to talk through your options (no pressure, no sales pitch), I’m always happy to chat. Shoot me a message, and I’ll help you figure out your next steps.