How Can I Find the Right Real Estate Agent?
A Halifax guide to choosing the person who will protect your money, your timeline, and your peace of mind
Most people choose a real estate agent the same way they pick a contractor for a small job. They ask a friend or family member and call it done. However, that is the biggest mistake I see in Halifax. Not because referrals are bad, because they are not. Instead, the issue is that a referral is only the starting point. So how can I find the right real estate agent?
If you are buying or selling a home, you are making one of the largest financial decisions of your life. Therefore, you should interview a few agents. Then, you can compare how they think, how they communicate, and how they execute.
I’m Nick Ogden, REALTOR with Press Realty. In this post, I’ll show you how to choose the right agent. More importantly, I’ll share the exact questions I recommend, plus what great answers should sound like.
Step 1: Do not skip the interview process
A trusted referral can point you in the right direction. Still, it does not confirm fit.
When you interview agents, you quickly learn:
- who brings real, current market data
- who can explain the process without pressure
- who listens first and sells second
- who has a plan when the market shifts
For example, I have earned business because clients compared me against other agents. In that situation, what made the difference was simple. I brought a thorough market analysis, answered every question clearly, and did it without being sales-y. As a result, they could feel that I was authentic, confident, and grounded in the numbers.
In other words, that is what an interview is supposed to reveal.
Step 2: Look for a teacher, not a tour guide
A great agent does not just show homes or put a sign on the lawn. Instead, they educate you so you can make clean decisions.
Here is what education looks like in practice:
- clear step-by-step timelines for buyers and sellers
- clear explanation of the stakeholders involved
- clear breakdown of what happens next and why
- clear offer or pricing strategy supported by current data
Additionally, when it comes to writing offers, I use geo-focused, time-sensitive data. That means we compare the right homes to the right home. Rather than relying on broad averages, we use what is actually happening right now.
Step 3: Ask for proof of service, not just proof of sales
Sales numbers matter. Yet service is what you feel day to day. I want my clients to feel like they are the only clients I have. Because of that, tailored servitorship is what I specialize in. Consequently, I hold myself to clear standards.
Standards I hold myself to
- transparent
- tactful
- trusted
- highly communicative
So, you should never feel in the dark. Likewise, you should never feel rushed. And, you should never feel like your questions are too much.
Standards I ask of my clients
- transparent communication
- respect for each other’s time
- open dialogue so I know how to serve you
- clear goal setting so I can educate you toward your outcome
- trusted partner mindset so we build the best team around your move
Ultimately, the right agent-client relationship is a partnership. Not a transaction.
Step 4: Pay attention to how the agent handles real life complications
Real estate is not tidy. Eventually, life shows up. That is why one of the most important interview questions is:
What happens when you are unavailable, away, or sick?
Here is the answer I give.
Press Realty is a common law brokerage. Therefore, when you sign a service agreement with me, you also get support from a strong team. For instance, if I cannot attend an in-person event, I can call on other agents for showings, inspections, or media days.
At the same time, we protect your privacy. Specifically, we operate on a deemed-to-know basis. So, your negotiating position and personal details are not shared unless it is deemed necessary.
As a result, you get coverage without compromising your leverage.
Step 5: Ask the three questions that reveal everything
If you only ask three questions when interviewing an agent, ask these.
Question 1: How do you educate your clients?
A great answer sounds like:
- step-by-step process
- clear timelines
- clear stakeholder breakdown
- market data used in real decisions
- proactive communication
Question 2: What happens if you are unavailable?
A great answer sounds like:
- clear backup plan
- office support
- no disruption to showings or deadlines
- a privacy framework that protects negotiation strength
Question 3: What areas do you service?
A great answer sounds like:
- clear service area
- honest explanation of where they are strongest
- local knowledge, not vague confidence
For me, I service HRM, plus Truro, Bridgewater, and Kentville. Even so, I focus where I know I can provide the best service.
A real example of what right agent support looks like
One of the most meaningful client journeys I have had started with education.
I hosted a free downsizing seminar.
Soon after, a couple reached out who owned a 4,000 square foot oceanfront home in Sambro. The home was full of antiques, collectibles, and decades of belongings. In addition, they had two golden retrievers, which made show-ready cleaning more challenging.
We worked together for roughly 12 months. Not weeks. A full year.
During that time:
- I connected them with an antiques dealer who sold enough items to cover moving expenses
- We sorted furniture, antiques, and collectibles in a structured way
- I arranged full cleaning and decluttering, including a lofted garage
- We did touch-up landscaping to lift curb appeal
- I brought in a team that made the home feel fresh and neutral, even with dogs in the house
Then, we launched.
Ultimately, the home was listed, marketed, and under accepted offer in under two weeks. At that time, for that location, it was unheard of. Afterwards, they moved across the country to Calgary. To this date, we are still in touch.
In short, that is what the right agent looks like. Not just a sale. A full transition.
A simple checklist to find the right agent for you
Use this before you decide.
Choose the agent who:
- explains the process in a way that calms you
- uses current, local data to support pricing and offers
- is transparent and tactful, even when the truth is uncomfortable
- communicates like your timeline matters
- has a real plan for prep, marketing, negotiation, and closing
- has a support system when life happens
- respects your goals and helps you define them clearly
If you want, I’ll help you interview agents properly
Even if you do not choose me, I want you to choose well. Because a bad fit costs people money and sleep.
So, if you are buying or selling in Halifax and want a clear plan, message me:
- your timeline
- your area of focus
- your biggest concern about the process
Then, I will reply with a simple game plan and the right next steps.
Nick Ogden | PRESS REALTY
902-240-0635 | nogden@pressrealty.ca
