20 Tips for Choosing a Real Estate Agent in California

Choosing a real estate agent comes down to three things: a valid license you can verify, real experience with your type of property and area, and clear written terms you understand before you sign. Interview two or three agents, ask the same questions, and compare their answers.

The rules changed in the last two years. Since August 2024, agents working through the MLS need a written agreement with a buyer before touring homes. Since January 1, 2025, California law (AB 2992) also caps buyer-broker agreements at three months unless renewed in writing.

Here are 20 tips, grouped by stage, written by a California broker. They apply to buyers and sellers.

Start your search

1. Ask people you trust, then verify

Referrals from friends and coworkers are a good start. Ask what the agent actually did well, and what they would change. Then check the agent yourself.

2. Look the license up with the DRE

The California Department of Real Estate has a free public license lookup. Search by name or license number. Confirm the license is active, see who the responsible broker is, and check for any listed disciplinary actions.

3. Know the difference between agent, broker and Realtor

A salesperson must work under a licensed broker. A broker can run a firm and supervise agents. “Realtor” means a member of the National Association of Realtors, which is a trade group, not a license. Our real estate glossary explains other common terms.

4. Read reviews with care

Look for detail: how the agent communicated, handled problems and explained choices. Be wary of reviews that only praise, or that all appeared in a single week.

5. Look at recent, relevant work

Ask for examples of homes the agent has helped buy or sell in the past year, in your price range and area. The local MLS and public records can confirm sales.

Match the agent to your needs

6. Local knowledge matters

Prices, disclosures and buyer habits vary from town to town. An agent who works in Sonoma County knows about septic and well inspections, fire zones and vacation rental rules. An agent in San Francisco knows condo and tenancy issues.

7. Property type matters too

Condos, rural acreage, vineyards, luxury estates and bank-owned homes each have their own paperwork and pitfalls. Ask how many transactions the agent has done of your property type.

8. Ask who actually does the work

Will you work with the agent you interview, or a team member or assistant? Who attends inspections and handles negotiations?

9. Check availability and response time

Ask how quickly they reply and when they are reachable. In a competitive market, a same-day response can decide whether you see a home before it goes into contract.

10. Fit and communication style

You want someone who tells you the truth, including things you may not want to hear. Notice whether they listen more than they talk in the first meeting.

Questions to ask in the interview

11. For buyers: how will you help me win the right house?

Ask how they research comparable sales, write offers and advise on contingencies. Our guide to competing in a bidding war covers what a strong offer looks like.

12. For sellers: how will you price and market my home?

Ask to see a pricing analysis with recent comparable sales. Ask what photos, staging and online marketing are included, and who pays for them.

13. What could go wrong, and how do you handle it?

Good agents can describe a deal that nearly fell apart and what they did. This tells you more than a list of successes.

14. Which other professionals do you work with?

Lenders, inspectors, escrow officers and contractors. You do not have to use them, but a good network helps.

15. How do you handle conflicts of interest?

Ask about dual agency, where one brokerage represents both buyer and seller. California allows it with written consent, but you should understand what it limits.

Understand the paperwork and costs

16. Read the buyer representation agreement

Under AB 2992, a buyer-broker agreement must be signed as soon as practicable and no later than when you make an offer. State rules presume it is practicable before an in-person or virtual showing. The term cannot exceed three months and does not renew automatically.

17. Know that commissions are negotiable

The written agreement must state the compensation the agent will receive, or how it is calculated, and that broker commissions are not set by law and are fully negotiable. The agent cannot receive more from any source than the amount you agreed to.

18. For sellers: understand the listing agreement

Check the length, the commission, what happens if you want to cancel, and whether you plan to offer any compensation to a buyer’s broker. Ask how offers will be presented.

19. Ask about disclosures

California sellers must give buyers several disclosures, and agents have their own duty to inspect visible areas. Ask how the agent manages the disclosure package and deadlines.

20. Get everything important in writing

Promises about marketing, fee credits or services belong in the agreement. If it is not written down, assume it is not included.

Red flags

• Pressure to sign a long agreement on the spot.
• A pricing estimate far above every other agent, with no comparable sales to back it.
• Vague answers about who will handle your file.
• No active license, or a license under a different name.
• Guarantees about sale price, timing or investment returns.

Questions people ask

How many agents should I interview?

Two or three is enough for most people. Ask each the same questions so the comparison is fair.

Do I have to sign an agreement before touring a home?

If the agent works through the MLS, generally yes, under the NAR settlement rules. California law also presumes the agreement should be signed before a showing, and requires it by the time you make an offer.

Can I negotiate the commission?

Yes. Compensation is not set by law. The agreement must say so, and you can discuss the amount and structure before you sign.

Can I end an agreement with an agent?

It depends on the terms you signed. Buyer agreements in California are limited to three months. Read the cancellation terms before signing, and ask the broker if you have concerns.

Talk to us

If you are buying or selling in the North Bay or San Francisco, start with our buying process or selling process pages. For agent options by area, see our guide to real estate agents in Sonoma County. You can also read about our firm or contact us with questions.

Sources & notes

• California Department of Real Estate: Public License Information lookup
• California DRE: AB 2992 regulations on buyer-broker representation agreements
• National Association of Realtors: Written buyer agreements 101
• Real Estate News: California sets a 3-month limit on buyer-agent agreements
• This article is general information, not legal advice. Ask a real estate attorney about your specific agreement.

Last reviewed October 2026 by Matthew Martinez.