How to be sure your real estate agent has your best interest in mind

Given the financial and emotional stakes of a home purchase, you need to be confident in your real estate agent. How can you be sure your agent is focused on your needs and the service you deserve? Here are the indications that your relationship with your agent is everything it should be.

Your real estate agent answers questions before you ask them.

A good real estate agent not only has knowledge but also takes the initiative to proactively share that knowledge with you. This helps you avoid problems and allows you to take advantage of opportunities.

You have comfortable conversations with your real estate agent.

It's not enough for agents to be knowledgeable. They also should be able to share that know-how in clear, jargon-free language that you can easily understand. A great agent is approachable and makes you feel comfortable asking even the most basic questions.

Your real estate agent is organized.

A sharp real estate agent takes good notes, shows up on time for appointments, follows through on promises, and doesn't make you repeat your questions and other requests.

Your real estate agent knows the market.

Your agent should demonstrate familiarity with the market for the type of home that interests you. They should be familiar with the neighborhoods, schools and price levels on which you're focused. It's OK to ask about their sales history and the types of homes and neighborhoods they've worked with in the past.

Your real estate agent is transparent.

Ask your agent to discuss agency representation with you. When an agent represents both the buyer and seller, they may be bound to represent the transaction only. Your real estate agent must disclose their role in representing you. Make sure you understand and ask any questions for clarification.

Your real estate agent guides you step by step through the homebuying process.

A solid real estate agent will guide you through the process, educating you ahead of time on things such as what you need to do and what documents you may need to provide at each phase.

Your real estate agent is not afraid to say, 'I don't know.'

That candor is a great sign of honesty. Provided they promptly research the topic and give the answer, it's a strong indicator you've found a good teammate for your home pursuit.

Your real estate agent is accessible.

Your calls, emails and texts should be returned within a reasonable time. If not, your agent may have too many clients or a poor work ethic.

Word-of-mouth referrals aren't always the best.

Though it's a good idea to ask those you trust to recommend which agent to use, sometimes it backfires. Some struggle to candidly assess the agents they've used. Others may be more focused on aiding a friend in the real estate business than helping you make the best choice.

Hiring a relative as your real estate agent could be a mistake with long-term consequences.

Before choosing a family member as your agent, consider the downside. If things don't go well, you may harm that relationship forever.

Treat real estate agents like job candidates.

Before picking an agent, you should evaluate them as if you were hiring an employee. After all, you'll likely work with them for many weeks on an expensive transaction that'll influence your lifestyle for years. The stakes are too high to make a casual choice.

Delve deep into their real estate agent qualifications.

What educational and professional credentials have they earned? How long have they worked in real estate? How long have they lived in your town? What types of properties make up the bulk of their transactions? Do they handle many sales at your price point?

Make sure your real estate agent is tech savvy.

Having years of experience is helpful but not if the agent uses technological know-how from the 1980s. Ask about how they use online sources, mobile tools and other resources to search for homes and communicate with you. Also inquire if they use electronic offers and digital signatures to streamline your offer process.

You can ask for references.

Get names and contact information for two or three of their past clients. Ask their opinion about what your prospective agent did well — and not so well. Find out the asking price of the home and the final selling price. You can also research online reviews for insight.

You're the boss.

It's important to set clear expectations for how your agent serves you. That includes which communication channels you prefer, how quickly you expect response to questions and their availability to view homes on your schedule.

You can change real estate agents.

If you haven't signed an exclusive buyer-broker agreement that locks you in for a certain period, you may change agents. Just make sure you end the relationship in writing to avoid disputes over commissions when you close on a house.

The USAA Advice Center provides general advice, tools and resources to guide your journey. Content may mention products, features or services that USAA Federal Savings Bank does not offer. The information contained is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to represent any endorsement, expressed or implied, by USAA or any affiliates. All information provided is subject to change without notice.