A Guide To Finding a Realtor with Integrity

Finding the right real estate agent and brokerage is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when buying or selling a home. The right agent can provide expert guidance, negotiate on your behalf, and protect your investment. The wrong one can cost you valuable time, money, and peace of mind. To help you find representation you can trust, here are essential tips for choosing the Reator and the brokerage that is right for you - especially if you are selling a country home, farm, luxury property or historic estate.

First: Do your homework.

• 1. Verify licensing and check for any violations through the Virginia DPOR License Lookup.
• 2. Confirm that the agent stays current with continuing education and industry requirements.

Second: Evaluate communication.

• 1. Ask questions and assess how clearly the agent communicates.
• 2. Avoid agents who hand you off to assistants—personal service matters.
• 3. Choose someone who listens, responds promptly, and provides useful guidance.

Third: Choose a specialist when needed.

• 1. Work with an agent who specializes in your type of property: farms, estates, country homes, or historic homes.
• 2. Specialists have stronger buyer connections and access to off-market opportunities.
• 3. Marketing acreage or estates requires different strategy than an in-town home.

Fourth: Check their systems for deadlines.

• 1. Ask how they track important dates and documents throughout the transaction.
• 2. A reliable system helps prevent costly delays and missed contract deadlines.

Fifth: Consider the strength of the brokerage.

• 1. Look for a large advertising budget to increase exposure for your property. Small one or two person brokerages cannot compete with the marketing advantages of a leading farm and estate firm.
• 2. Ensure there is a database of qualified farm and estate buyers at their reach. Leading farm and estate firms have a vast database of buyers and they can market a property in house prior to it going into the MLS. That’s in addition to each individual agent’s own database of buyers and contacts.
• 3. Ask how many agents are in the brokerage firm. Confirm there is strong agent collaboration to share buyer needs and promote listings.
• 4. Ask if the office is fully staffed with marketing and office support.
• 5. Check how the firm ranks in MLS farm and estate sales.
• 6. Find out how many agents are actively working within the brokerage firm. This is important because successful agents within a leading farm and estate brokerage will collaborate.
• 7. If you prefer a small firm, that’s fine—just understand the advantages and disadvantages before deciding.

Sixth: Consider a team.

• 1. Two dedicated agents can offer better availability and responsiveness.
• 2. You benefit from combined expertise, strategy, and marketing support.
• 3. A team structure ensures nothing falls through the cracks.

Finally: Trust your instincts.

• 1. If something doesn’t feel right—or you don’t feel supported—keep looking.
• 2. This is a major financial decision, so choose someone who genuinely cares and advocates for you.

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Experience Matters. Let’s Put It to Work for You.

Bridget Archer

McLean Faulconer, Inc.

Listing & Selling Farms, Country Homes, & Timeless Estates

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