How to Find the Best Realtors in Your Area Fast

Taking the First Step

Buying or selling a home is one of the largest and most complex financial decisions you'll ever make. The person you choose to guide you through this process is your most important asset.

This isn't just a feeling; the data supports it. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), sellers who use a real estate agent typically sell their homes for a significantly higher price than those who sell their homes For Sale By Owner (FSBO). This is often more than enough to cover the agent's commission.

A great agent doesn't cost you money; they find you money!

But with so many agents to choose from, how do you sort through the noise? This guide provides a fast, 4-step framework to help you find a top-tier, trustworthy real estate agent in your area. We'll show you exactly what to look for.

Step 1: Start with Targeted Referrals (Go Beyond Family)

Asking friends and family for a referral is a common first step, but it shouldn't be your last. To find the best, you need a wider, more objective pool of candidates.

• Ask other local professionals. Lenders, mortgage brokers, and even home contractors have a front-row seat to the local market. They work with dozens of agents and know who is responsive, professional, and consistently closes deals.
• Look at "For Sale" signs. Pay attention to the agent and agency names you see most often in your target neighborhoods. This is a clear sign of local specialization and a strong track record in the area.
• Identify top agencies. A quick search for "top real estate agencies" in your city will show you which brokerages have the strongest reputations. These firms attract and retain high-performing agents.

Insider Tip: Why a Lender's Referral Is Gold: Your friend or family member may have had a great experience, but they only bought one house. A busy mortgage lender, in contrast, works with dozens of agents every single month. They see who is professional, who meets deadlines, who communicates proactively, and who gets their clients to the closing table smoothly. Their recommendation is based on a volume of data, not a single transaction.

Step 2: The 5-Minute Digital Vet (How to Filter Fast)

In just five minutes, you can get a strong "yes" or "no" feeling about an agent from their online presence. Start with their website and professional bio. Is it professional? Does it clearly state their specializations? An agent who invests in their own marketing will likely invest in yours.

Next, read their reviews—but do it the right way.

Don't just look at the 5-star ratings. As the Consumer Federation of America notes, numerical ratings are often "strongly biased upward." The real value is in the text. As you read reviews, look for specific patterns that emerge. We call these 'Green Flags' and 'Red Flags.'

Green Flags (Keywords to look for):

• "Proactive Communicator": "They always kept us in the loop," "Answered our texts right away," "We never had to guess what was next."
• "Strong Negotiator": "They got us more than we asked for," "Helped us win in a multiple-offer situation," "Fought for us during the inspection."
• "Problem Solver": "The appraisal came in low, but they had a plan." "We had an issue with the inspection, and they handled it."

Red Flags (Keywords to look for):

• "Disorganized": "We had to keep reminding them," "They missed a deadline," "The paperwork was a mess."
• "Poor Communicator": "It took days to hear back," "We had to call their office to get a response."
• "Felt Pressured": "They just wanted us to make a deal," "They didn't listen to what we wanted."

Step 3: Analyze for Results, Not Just Experience

"Years of experience" can be misleading. An agent who has been in the business for 20 years but only sells two homes a year is not as experienced as an agent who has been working for five years and closes 50 deals a year.

What matters are recent, relevant results. Look for these two key metrics on an agent's profile or ask for them directly:

1. List-Price-to-Sale-Price Ratio: This ratio (Sale Price ÷ List Price) indicates how close an agent's listings sell for to the asking price. A ratio at or above 100% indicates they are a strong negotiator and price homes accurately to attract competitive offers.
2. Average Days on Market (DOM): This metric indicates how quickly an agent's listings are sold under contract. A top agent will consistently have a lower (faster) DOM than the area average, which proves their marketing and pricing strategies are effective.

Remember to add market context. These numbers mean different things in different markets. In a red-hot seller's market, a 100% list-to-sale ratio might just be average. But in a balanced or buyer's market, an agent who still gets 99% is an exceptional negotiator. Ask them: 'How do your numbers compare to the local average right now?'

Step 4: The 10-Minute Interview (The Final Test)

Once you've narrowed your list to 2-3 top candidates, it's time for a quick 10-minute call. You've already vetted their resume; now you're testing for a good fit. Here are the "must-ask" questions for your call:

1. "What is your communication plan and preferred style?"
   This is the non-negotiable question. A mismatch in communication can ruin the experience. If you're a "text me anytime" person, you will be frustrated by an agent who only works 9-5 and prefers email.
2. "How many clients are you actively working with right now?"
   This tells you about their bandwidth. A great agent is busy, but you don't want to be just a number.
3. "What is your specific strategy for a [buyer/seller] in my situation?"
   (e.g., "a first-time buyer in a competitive market," "selling a home that needs updates"). Their answer should be specific, not generic.
4. "How, specifically, will you market my home beyond just putting it on the MLS?"
   Look for answers that include professional photography, social media campaigns, and broker-to-broker networking.
5. "What's your strategy for writing a winning offer if we're competing against others?"
   They should mention aspects such as lender relationships, escalation clauses, and other market-specific tactics.

Finally, trust your gut. Do you feel heard? Are they asking you good questions about your goals? Or are they just trying to "sell" you?

Your Partner in Real Estate

Finding the right agent doesn't have to be a long, stressful process. By focusing on targeted referrals, smart online vetting, proven results, and a final interview, you can quickly find a true expert.

Finding the best real estate agent in Idaho Falls means finding a partner who understands this unique market—from established neighborhoods to market trends in Bonneville County and new developments in Rigby. At Anderson Hicks, we've built our team on these exact principles. We are full-time, dedicated professionals who prioritize clear communication and proven results, providing a team-based approach to ensure you're always covered.

If you're ready to connect with agents who already meet these high standards, your search ends here.

• Browse our team of vetted, top-performing agents.
• Contact us for a no-pressure consultation