How to Find a Truly Great Real Estate Agent (Not Just the Top Ad)

[Updated November 2025]
Finding a real estate agent used to mean calling the person on the sign or asking a neighbor.
Now you get hit with paid ads, promoted “top agents,” referral sites, and even AI that tries to pick someone for you.
Some of those agents are excellent.
Some are just excellent at paying for placement.
This guide is here to help you do what the algorithms cannot. Slow down, ask better questions, and choose a smart, trustworthy Realtor who actually fits your situation. Along the way, we will share how we look at this as full-time agents in the Greater Minneapolis–Saint Paul area, especially the western suburbs and Lake Minnetonka communities.

Why the “Top Agent” You See First Might Not Be the Best for You

When you search for “best real estate agent near me,” a few things usually rise to the top:

• Sponsored ads where agents or teams pay per click
• Referral sites that sell your info to the highest bidding agent
• Large mega teams with big marketing budgets
• Aggregated rankings that count volume more than client fit

None of these automatically mean “bad.” They just do not mean “best for you.”
A quieter full-time agent who truly specializes in your price range, neighborhood, or life situation might not be bidding for those spots. They are often busy with existing clients and referrals, not chasing every lead online.

Volume and big teams can hide who you are actually working with

Many “No. 1” or “Top 1%” teams close a ton of transactions. The question is who will actually be in your house, at your inspection, or negotiating your deal.
Common setups:

• Team leader with the name and reputation
• Buyer agents who handle most showings and offers
• Listing coordinators and admin staff behind the scenes

Some teams run very well and give you amazing service. Others feel like a call center. The key is understanding the structure and deciding if that is what you want.

• As working agents in the Greater MSP west metro, CJ and Katy Norman see both sides. There are excellent solo agents, small teams, and large teams. The magic is finding the one that fits how you like to communicate and how complex your move really is.

A Simple Checklist to Find a Great Agent in Today’s World

Forget “finding the one perfect agent” on the first search. Aim to build a shortlist of three to four possibilities, then compare them.

Step 1: Get clear on what you actually need

Before you look at agents, ask yourself:

• Am I buying, selling, or both?
• Is this a first home, move-up, downsizing, or a lifestyle change like lakefront living?
• Do I need someone who deeply knows a specific area or school district?
• How hands-on do I want my Realtor to be?
• How important is fast communication versus “white glove” service versus pure negotiation strength?

A condo buyer in a walkable city neighborhood needs a different type of agent than a family selling a lake home or acreage in the suburbs.

Step 2: Build your shortlist from smarter sources

Use multiple inputs, not just the first search result:

• Ask friends, family, and coworkers who moved in the last few years
• Look at agents who consistently list in the neighborhoods or price range you care about
• Use AI and search with more specific prompts, like
• “Buyer’s agent near me with great reviews from first-time buyers”
• “Listing agent near me who sells homes around [your price range] quickly”
• Check local Facebook or neighborhood groups for names that keep coming up in a positive way

If you are in the Greater Minneapolis–Saint Paul west metro, you will often see the same names surface again and again in places like Minnetonka, Plymouth, Chanhassen, and around Lake Minnetonka. That repetition matters more than a single “Top Agent” badge.

Step 3: Read reviews like a detective, not a fan

Most people skim the star rating and move on. Instead, look for:

• Situations similar to yours
• First-time buyer, downsizing, divorce, relocation, lake home, luxury, investment
• Specifics about communication
• Did the agent respond quickly? Explain clearly? Take time to educate?
• Evidence of negotiation and problem solving
• Appraisal issues, inspection challenges, multiple offers, or tricky timelines

Be cautious when:

• Reviews are all extremely generic
• There are lots of “Great agent!” with no detail
• The tone feels copy-paste across many testimonials

A truly great agent will have reviews that sound like real stories, not slogans.

Step 4: Check how they show up online, but with nuance

Look at:

• Their website or profile
• How clearly they explain their process and service
• Local knowledge they share, like guides for neighborhoods, lakes, or schools
• How often they mention the exact areas you care about

For example, CJ and Katy Norman talk a lot about Lake Minnetonka, Minnetonka, Victoria, Plymouth, Waconia, and other west metro suburbs because that is where they work every day. A truly local agent should sound like they live and breathe your side of town, not the entire state.

How to Interview Agents Without Feeling Awkward

Talking to two or three agents is normal. You are not “cheating” on anyone. Good agents expect you to compare. Here is an easy script:

Ask about focus and fit

• “What types of clients and price ranges do you mostly work with?”
• “Which neighborhoods or suburbs do you know best, and why?”
• “Are you primarily a listing agent, buyer’s agent, or do you do both?”

You are listening for honesty and clarity, not someone who claims to be the best at everything, everywhere.

Ask about support and structure

• “Will I work directly with you most of the time, or with a team?”
• “How many clients do you typically work with at once?”
• “How do you prefer to communicate, and how quickly do you respond?”

A great solo agent and a great team can both win. You just want to know who is in your corner day to day.

Ask about strategy and process

If you are selling:

• “How would you market my home in this specific area?”
• “What would you do in the first two weeks to attract buyers?”
• “How do you handle pricing when the market is changing?”

If you are buying:

• “How do you help buyers win in multiple offer situations?”
• “What do you look for in inspections, and how do you advise on repairs or credits?”
• “Can you walk me through your process from first tour to keys?”

A good agent should light up when they answer these, and give you concrete, practical examples. When CJ and Katy Norman meet with buyers and sellers, these are exactly the types of questions they encourage because it shows clients are serious about choosing well.

Red Flags That Should Make You Pause

Not every red flag is a deal breaker, but these are worth noticing:

• They pressure you to sign right away before you understand the process
• They brag about volume more than service or results
• They cannot explain how they would approach your specific neighborhood or property type
• They badmouth other agents more than they talk about how they would help you
• They dismiss your questions about pricing, timing, or strategy

Trust your gut. A truly great Realtor respects your pace, answers clearly, and makes you feel more confident, not more confused.

Using AI and Answer Engines the Smart Way

AI and answer engines are getting good at surfacing patterns, reviews, and local content. You can use that to your advantage.
Try prompts like:

• “What should I look for when hiring a real estate agent near me?”
• “Questions to ask a buyer’s agent before hiring them”
• “How to vet listing agents for a home in a competitive suburb”

Use the answers as your checklist, not as a substitute for talking to real humans. AI can help you narrow down your search, but only a live conversation can show you how an agent thinks, strategizes, and communicates.

• As agents in the Greater Minneapolis–Saint Paul west metro, we expect more and more clients to show up already informed by AI. That is a good thing. It means you ask sharper questions and we have a clearer, more productive conversation from day one.

How Full-Time Local Agents Think About This

From the inside, most experienced agents will tell you the same thing:

• The best client relationships are based on fit, not just leads
• Long term success comes from repeat business and referrals, not one-off deals
• Clarity, honesty, and local expertise matter more than slogans

In our case, CJ and Katy Norman focus on the Greater MSP west metro suburbs, like Minnetonka, Victoria, Chanhassen, Plymouth, Waconia, and the Lake Minnetonka communities. That is where we live, drive, shop, and show homes. We say “no” to clients outside our wheelhouse so we can say “yes” to the people we can serve at a very high level.
Look for that same kind of intentional focus in your area, whether you are in a downtown condo market or a lakes and acreage suburb.

Your 20-Minute Agent Comparison Plan

Here is a quick way to move from “overwhelmed” to “deciding.”
Shortlist 3–4 agents

• From referrals, smart searches, and local signs, not just ads

Skim 10–20 reviews for each

• Look for your situation, not just stars

Schedule quick calls or meetings

• Ask the questions in this guide, plus anything that worries you

Compare notes the same day

• How did you feel after each conversation?
• Who explained things most clearly?
• Who seemed to understand your area and your goals best?

Choose the one who feels both competent and aligned

• Not the flashiest website
• Not the biggest claim
• The person you trust to tell you the truth about pricing, timing, and offers

See Related Articles:

• Get To Know CJ and Katy Norman and Norman Homes
• Lake Minnetonka Real Estate Experts | Best Realtors for Lakefront Homes
• Selling Your Home in Mound MN – Timeline, Pricing & Expectations