Realtor Vs Real Estate Agent: Who Can You Trust With Your Home

Common misconceptions about Realtors and real estate agents

Misconception 1: All real estate agents are Realtors
Reality: Only agents who are members of the NAR can legally use the title “Realtor.” Not all agents choose to join NAR.

Misconception 2: You need a Realtor to buy or sell a home
Reality: You can work with a licensed real estate agent who is not a Realtor. However, many people prefer Realtors because of their ethical obligations and access to more resources.

Misconception 3: A Realtor is a higher license than an agent
Reality: “Realtor” is not a different license level — it’s a professional membership. A Realtor can be an agent or a broker.

Misconception 4: Brokers don’t work with clients directly
Reality: Many brokers still represent buyers and sellers, especially in smaller firms. They just have the added responsibility of managing other agents.

Questions to ask when choosing a real estate professional

The process of choosing a real estate professional can be daunting, but asking the right questions can help guide your decision. Below, we’ve organized questions into three categories: those suitable for any agent, those specifically for seller agents, and those for buyer agents.

Questions for either buyer or seller agents:

• Do you have a list of referrals?
• How long have you been an agent?
• Do you work full-time or part-time as an agent?
• How often and when are you available?
• How many clients are you currently representing?
• Will I be working with you individually or with a team?
• What’s your response time, and how often will you be in touch?
• How do your fees work?
• What professional contacts do you have?
• Has anything ever gone wrong in a deal, and how did you handle it?
• What’s the biggest challenge you think we’ll face?
• What kind of guarantees do I get?
• What haven’t I asked you that I need to know?

Questions to ask seller agents:

• Have you sold homes in this area and at my price range before?
• How many homes have you sold in my neighborhood in the past year?
• How will you help me prepare my home to sell?
• What’s your marketing plan for a property like mine?
• What is the average days on market for your listings?
• What is your average list-to-sales price ratio?
• How many open houses will you do?

Questions to ask buyer agents:

• How many homes do you help buyers purchase each year?
• How quickly can you arrange for me to view a home?
• Have you helped buyers find homes in my selected areas?
• How long do you usually work with buyers, from first viewing to closing?
• What’s happening in this area, and how could that impact home prices?
• Have you completed many foreclosure or short-sale transactions?
• How do you help buyers stand out?

By asking these specific questions, you can ensure you choose the right professional who will prioritize your interests, whether you are selling or buying.

“There are Realtors that are better than others,” says Allen. “I’d be lying to you if I said that every agent that I’ve ever encountered has been extremely ethical…”

Allen explains that asking the right questions will help you determine an agent’s commitment to ethical behavior and their ability to put your interests first. “So, as a Realtor, I’ll ask questions to the other agents… ‘Hey, realistically, what does your seller want for the property? What’s their bottom dollar?’ As a Realtor, they shouldn’t answer that question, but you’d be very surprised how many do.”

Allen also emphasizes the importance of discretion, a quality that can significantly impact negotiations: “And vice versa, like if I’m the listing agent and somebody asked me that [bottom dollar] question. I simply let them know that’s not something that I can disclose. I would say, ‘Have your buyer put in their best offer.’”

Your selection of a real estate professional is an important one, and asking the right questions can help ensure you’re making the most informed choice possible. Remember, the goal is to find a professional who will advocate for your best interests with integrity, discretion, and dedication.