The biggest deal in my opinion is an honest, face-to-face (or Zoom, I guess) conversation. Does the agent answer your questions honestly and directly? Do you feel like they are educating you about the process and the market? How comfortable do you feel with them personally? This is a personal service agreement, so you need to get along. You don't have to become best friends, but you will be spending a lot of time together.

QUESTIONS I'D ASK:

No. 1: Is this how you make your living? Do you sell real estate 100% of the time?

If the answer is "no," move on to the next candidate.

No. 2: How much real estate do you sell annually? Ask for this in units (number of homes/condos/townhomes) and in volume (dollar amount).

No. 3: How much real estate do you sell in the particular area? If you don't sell much in the area, what experience do you have so I can trust your ability. For example, did you grow up in the area, or live in the area?

No. 4: Get 2-3 references and ask them about their experience with the particular agent.

No. 5: Check for any complaints with the Real Estate Board and/or the Richmond Association of Realtors.

No. 6: Ask any other specific questions that you might have, like how the agent communicates (text, email, phone), what they consider a successful transaction, what they see as the biggest issue or obstacle in this market.

I'm sure there is other stuff others like u/gowhatyourself can chime in but that's what I've got off the top of my head.

ETA: Spelling