How to Choose a Real Estate Agent in New York (2026)

Why Your Choice of Agent Matters More Than You Think

Buying or selling a home is the largest financial transaction most people will ever make. The agent you choose directly influences the price you pay or receive, how smoothly the process goes, and whether costly mistakes are avoided. Yet most people spend more time researching a restaurant than they do vetting their real estate agent. I am Ethan Harris, a licensed real estate agent with Empire Real Estate Firm in the Capital Region of New York. I have seen firsthand how the right agent changes outcomes — and how the wrong one creates problems that could have been avoided.

What to Look for in a Real Estate Agent

1. Local Market Knowledge

Real estate is hyperlocal. An agent who primarily works in Westchester County is not going to know the nuances of Albany County's market — the neighborhood-level pricing dynamics, which school districts drive premiums, which streets flood, or which builders have quality reputations. When interviewing agents, ask specific questions about your target area. A knowledgeable agent will answer with data and details, not vague generalities.

For example, if you are buying in the Capital Region, your agent should be able to explain the meaningful price differences between Guilderland, Bethlehem, and Colonie — and why those differences exist. They should know current inventory levels, average days on market, and recent comparable sales without having to look them up.

2. Recent Transaction History

Experience matters, but recent experience matters more. An agent who closed 50 transactions in 2019 but only 5 in 2025 may be out of touch with current market conditions, lender requirements, and negotiation dynamics. Ask how many transactions they have closed in the past 12 months and what types of transactions — buyers, sellers, price ranges, locations.

3. Communication Style and Responsiveness

The number one complaint buyers and sellers have about real estate agents is poor communication. Before hiring an agent, pay attention to how quickly they respond to your initial inquiry. If it takes 48 hours to get a callback before they have your business, imagine how responsive they will be after they have a signed agreement. A great agent responds within hours, not days, and proactively updates you rather than waiting for you to chase them.

4. Negotiation Approach

Ask the agent to describe their negotiation strategy. Vague answers like "I always get my clients the best deal" are red flags. A skilled negotiator can explain their approach with specifics: how they structure escalation clauses, when they recommend waiving versus retaining contingencies, how they handle multiple-offer situations, and how they use inspection results as leverage. In the Capital Region's competitive market, negotiation skill directly affects what you pay or what you net as a seller.

5. Reviews and References

Online reviews are useful but imperfect. Look for patterns rather than individual reviews. An agent with 50 five-star reviews and consistent themes — great communication, strong negotiation, smooth process — is a reliable signal. Ask the agent for references from recent clients in similar situations to yours. A confident agent will provide them without hesitation.

6. Marketing Plan (for Sellers)

If you are selling, ask for the agent's specific marketing plan — not a generic brochure. Professional photography, 3D virtual tours, targeted social media advertising, and strategic pricing are the minimum. An agent who lists your home on the MLS and waits for calls is not providing full-service representation.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Agent

Here are the questions I recommend asking any agent you are considering:

• How many transactions have you closed in the past 12 months?
• What neighborhoods or areas do you specialize in?
• Can you walk me through your process from start to close?
• How do you handle multiple-offer situations?
• What is your communication style — how often will I hear from you?
• Can you provide references from clients with similar needs to mine?
• What does your commission structure look like, and what do I get for it?
• Are you a full-time agent, or do you do this part-time?

Red Flags to Watch For

These are warning signs that an agent may not be the right fit:

• They pressure you to sign an exclusive agreement immediately — A confident agent will let their track record speak and give you time to decide
• They promise an unrealistically high sale price — Some agents "buy" listings by inflating price expectations, then push for price reductions after you have signed
• They cannot explain their commission clearly — If they get defensive or evasive about fees, that is a problem
• They work part-time — Part-time agents may not be available when time-sensitive situations arise
• They badmouth other agents — Professionalism matters, especially in a market where agents regularly negotiate with each other
• They are unfamiliar with your target area — If they cannot answer basic questions about the local market, move on

Full-Time vs. Part-Time Agents

New York has a large number of licensed real estate agents, and many of them work part-time. There is nothing wrong with part-time agents in general, but real estate transactions are time-sensitive. When a competitive offer comes in at 7 PM on a Tuesday and your agent is at their other job, you may lose the deal. Full-time agents are available when the market demands it. Ask directly whether this is their full-time career.

How Ethan Harris Approaches Client Relationships

I will be straightforward about how I work. I am a full-time agent with Empire Real Estate Firm, based in the Capital Region. I specialize in Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, and Rensselaer counties. My clients hear from me regularly — I do not disappear between showings. I explain my commission upfront with no ambiguity. I provide a detailed market analysis before pricing any listing, and I never inflate expectations to win business. My phone number is (518) 588-1122 and I answer it.

I am not the right agent for everyone — and that is fine. But if you value honest communication, local expertise, and an agent who is genuinely invested in your outcome, I would welcome a conversation.

Ready to Interview Agents?

Start with a phone call. A good agent will spend 15–20 minutes answering your questions without pressuring you. If you would like to include me in your search, call or text (518) 588-1122 or email Ethan@EmpireRealEstateFirm.com. No obligation, no pressure.

The 2026 Wrinkle: Buyer Representation Agreements

If you last hired an agent before 2024, the interview process has a new step. Following the national commission settlement, written buyer representation agreements became standard practice across New York, and as of June 2026 you should expect any agent, in the Capital Region or anywhere else in the state, to ask for a signed agreement before unlocking a single door. You will also receive the New York State agency disclosure form. The practical effect: you are no longer just interviewing an agent, you are reviewing a contract, and the quality of that contract tells you a lot about the person presenting it.

Before you sign, check four things. First, compensation must be a specific, objective number, such as a flat fee or a percentage, not an open-ended range, and the agreement should bar the agent from collecting more than the stated amount. Second, look at the term. A confident agent will offer a short initial term, a single-property agreement, or a non-exclusive arrangement for your first showings rather than demanding a six-month exclusive on day one. Third, confirm the geographic area and property types covered actually match your search. Fourth, find the cancellation clause and make sure you could explain it to a friend. The agreement must also state plainly that all fees are negotiable and not set by law.

Used well, the agreement is the best interview tool you have. An agent who walks you through every line, explains the difference between exclusive and non-exclusive representation, and is comfortable with a trial period is showing you exactly how they will handle the contract that matters most, your purchase offer. Pressure to sign a long exclusive agreement at a first meeting was a red flag before 2024; putting it on paper has not changed that. When I sit down with buyers, we go through the agreement line by line before anyone signs, and I would tell you to expect the same from any agent on your shortlist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Buying in the Capital Region? Talk it through first.

A 15-minute call covers your budget, your towns, and what it actually takes to win a house here. Ethan answers his own phone.