How to Pick Right Realtor: Follow Your Instinct. If They're Too Slick, Run! Find One Who Tells It Like It Is! (Herman Chan for US News & World Report)

US News & World Reports asked me for advice on selecting a real estate agent. My favorite quotes from the article:

COMMUNICATION:

Communication is especially important for buyers house-hunting from afar. Chan has clients in London or Asia who communicate with him via Gchat or FaceTime. He’ll also record tours of potential properties and upload the videos to YouTube with a private link.

POINT OF CONTACT:

Also ask who will be your main point of contact, because some busy real estate agents use a team of assistants or sub-agents to handle day-to-day tasks, and you may not have direct access to the agent you choose. "Maybe some people don't care, but I think that's an important question to ask," Chan says.

FOLLOW YOUR GUT

These questions can help you get a sense of the agent’s process and personality, but the right decision may depend on your instinctive reaction. "Follow your intuition," Chan says. "If they feel too slick, it's not a good sign. It’s a good sign when you find an agent who can tell it like it is."