Country guide · United States
Choosing a real estate agent in the United States
Licence, brokerage, written agreements and evidence – how to pick an agent you can rely on.
Updated: 04/10/2026
In brief
- Check the licence with the state regulator
- Ask who supervises the agent at their brokerage
- Read the written representation agreement before signing
- Ask for comparable sales in your target neighbourhood
Licensing and supervision
Agents must hold a state licence and normally work under a supervising broker. State regulators publish licence status and disciplinary history; a quick check takes a few minutes.
Written agreements
Buyer representation agreements have become standard and set out the term, the services and what you may owe. Check the fee basis, the length and how either side may end it.
Evidence of local work
Ask for listings and sales in the specific neighbourhood, how long they took and the price achieved against the list price. A broad sales record is not the same as local knowledge.
Communication and conflicts
Ask how often you will hear from the agent, who you deal with when they are unavailable, and whether the agent would represent both sides of a transaction.
Official sources and further reading
National starting points only. State, provincial and territorial rules may add further requirements.
Professionals in United States
Documented profiles of agents, developers, managers, investors and architects, listed in a neutral order.
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General information, not legal, tax or financial advice.