How To Find the Best Realtor

The real estate agent you pick matters more than the house you pick. If you are buying or selling a home in Vancouver, Washington or anywhere in Clark County, the Realtor you hire can save you thousands and hold a shaky deal together. The wrong one costs you money, time, and sleep. I watch agents perform at the closing table every week, so here is what actually separates the good ones from the forgettable ones.

Start with proof, not promises

Any agent can say they know Vancouver, Camas, or Battle Ground. Ask for proof instead:

• How many homes have you closed in my target neighborhoods in the last 12 months?
• What was your average list-to-sale price ratio?
• How many of your deals fell apart last year, and why?

"I know Felida really well" is a promise. "I closed 14 homes in Felida this year at 99 percent of list price" is proof. Hire proof. This applies whether you are hiring a buyer's agent or interviewing listing agents to sell your home.

Interview for problems, not personality

You will like most agents you meet. Liking them is not the test. The test is what happens when the deal gets hard, because deals get hard. Ask every candidate to walk you through a transaction that almost died:

• An appraisal came in below the purchase price. What did you do?
• An inspection found expensive repairs. How did you negotiate it?
• A closing deadline was at risk. What was the backup plan?

Listen for specifics. "I always fight for my clients" tells you nothing. A detailed story about saving a deal tells you everything.

Ask your lender who actually performs

Here is the angle most buyers miss. Your loan officer watches agents work under real pressure every week. We see who returns calls, who hits deadlines, who stays in front of the title company, and who goes quiet when problems show up.

Ask your lender who they would trust with their own purchase. That answer comes from the closing table, not an advertising budget, and it is worth more than any billboard.

Check the boring stuff before you sign

Before you sign a representation agreement, get clear answers on:

• Compensation: how the agent is paid and what you owe under the agreement.
• Communication: how often you get updates and how fast they respond. Test this during the interview. If they take two days to return your call now, it will not improve later.
• Backup: who handles your questions and showings when your agent is unavailable.
• References: recent clients with a similar budget and goals. Call them.

Read the agreement itself, including how long it lasts and how you can cancel it.

Red flags that should end the interview

• They cannot name three recent closings in your target area.
• They push you to waive inspections or appraisal contingencies without explaining the risk in plain English.
• They are vague about how they get paid.
• They badmouth other agents instead of explaining their own process.
• You feel rushed to sign anything.

Build your team before you tour

The strongest buyers I work with, from first-time buyers to seasoned investors, assemble their team first: a loan officer, a Realtor, and an inspector they trust. When the right house appears, they move fast and clean, and sellers notice.

If you want to see what is really available in Clark and Cowlitz counties, start with a real search. My wife Kelyn's team at Selling Keys keeps the local inventory current, and I can run your numbers before you fall in love with a payment that does not work.

The right Realtor does more than open doors. They protect your money, manage the hard moments, and tell you the truth even when it costs them a quick commission. Interview like it matters, because it does.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a Realtor and a real estate agent?
Every Realtor is a licensed real estate agent, but not every agent is a Realtor. Realtor is a trademarked title for agents who belong to the National Association of Realtors and follow its code of ethics. Membership alone does not make someone good. Judge them on local closings, communication, and references.

How do I find the best Realtor in Vancouver, WA?
Start with agents who closed multiple homes in your target Clark County neighborhoods in the last 12 months. Interview at least two, ask each to walk you through a deal that almost fell apart, and ask your mortgage lender who performs best at the closing table.

What questions should I ask a Realtor before hiring one?
Ask how many homes they closed in your area this year, their average list-to-sale price ratio, how they handled an appraisal gap or a bad inspection, how fast they respond, who covers for them when they are unavailable, and for references from recent buyers or sellers with a similar budget.

How do Realtors get paid in Washington?
Most work on commission, traditionally a percentage of the sale price paid at closing. Since the 2024 industry rule changes, buyers may owe their agent directly under a written agreement, so read the compensation section carefully and make sure you understand exactly what you could owe before you sign.