{"id":4432,"date":"2026-10-16T20:21:08","date_gmt":"2026-10-16T20:21:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/?p=4432"},"modified":"2026-10-16T20:21:12","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T20:21:12","slug":"choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Choose the Right Real Estate Agent in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 id=\"table-of-contents\">Table of Contents<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#start-with-a-scorecard-how-to-compare-real-estate-agents-side-by-side\">Start With a Scorecard: How to Compare Real Estate Agents Side by Side<\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#the-six-criteria-that-actually-predict-a-good-outcome\">The Six Criteria That Actually Predict a Good Outcome<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#check-local-knowledge-recent-sales-and-comparable-properties\">Check Local Knowledge, Recent Sales and Comparable Properties<\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#how-to-verify-a-sales-track-record-yourself\">How to Verify a Sales Track Record Yourself<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#questions-to-ask-a-real-estate-agent-before-you-sign\">Questions to Ask a Real Estate Agent Before You Sign<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#how-to-read-a-property-appraisal-and-spot-an-unrealistic-price-promise\">How to Read a Property Appraisal and Spot an Unrealistic Price Promise<\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#the-evidence-test-three-questions-that-expose-a-weak-appraisal\">The Evidence Test: Three Questions That Expose a Weak Appraisal<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#warning-signs-of-an-unrealistic-price-promise\">Warning Signs of an Unrealistic Price Promise<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#how-to-compare-appraisals-side-by-side\">How to Compare Appraisals Side by Side<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#real-estate-agent-red-flags-that-should-end-the-conversation\">Real Estate Agent Red Flags That Should End the Conversation<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#what-a-strong-real-estate-agent-marketing-plan-looks-like\">What a Strong Real Estate Agent Marketing Plan Looks Like<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#real-estate-agent-commission-and-fees-what-you-are-actually-paying-for\">Real Estate Agent Commission and Fees: What You Are Actually Paying For<\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#agency-agreements-and-contract-terms-to-read-before-signing\">Agency Agreements and Contract Terms to Read Before Signing<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#questions-to-ask-before-you-sign-anything\">Questions to Ask Before You Sign Anything<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#measuring-performance-during-the-campaign\">Measuring Performance During the Campaign<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#frequently-asked-questions\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Last Updated: October 15, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"start-with-a-scorecard-how-to-compare-real-estate-agents-side-by-side\">Start With a Scorecard: How to Compare Real Estate Agents Side by Side<\/h2>\n<p>Learning how to choose right agent comes down to one habit: comparing agents on paper before you meet them. Big Mike has watched sellers in Mid-Canterbury sign with the first friendly face they meet, then wonder why the campaign stalled. A simple scorecard fixes that.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"article-content-image my-8\" style=\"margin:2em 0;padding:0;background:transparent;border:0\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/how-to-choose-the-right-real-estate-agent-in-2026-content-1-1792095180.jpg\" alt=\"Scorecard process to help you choose right agent while reviewing property documents at a kitchen table.\" class=\"w-full rounded-lg shadow-lg lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1200px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1200\/675;display:block;width:100%;max-width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:8px;margin:0 auto\" title=\"How to Choose the Right Real Estate Agent in 2026\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\"><figcaption class=\"text-sm text-gray-600 mt-2 text-center\" style=\"font-size:0.875em;color:inherit;opacity:0.75;text-align:center;margin-top:0.6em\">Scorecard process to help you choose right agent while reviewing property documents at a kitchen table.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Here is the framework we use with our community:<\/p>\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;margin:2rem 0;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6\">\n<thead style=\"background-color:#f8f9fa;color:#111827;padding:12px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;border-bottom:2px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color:#f8f9fa;color:#111827;padding:12px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;border-bottom:2px solid #e5e7eb\">Criteria<\/th>\n<th style=\"background-color:#f8f9fa;color:#111827;padding:12px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;border-bottom:2px solid #e5e7eb\">What to Score<\/th>\n<th style=\"background-color:#f8f9fa;color:#111827;padding:12px 16px;text-align:left;font-weight:600;border-bottom:2px solid #e5e7eb\">Why It Matters<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">Local sales<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">Sales in your suburb, last 12 months<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">Proves current demand knowledge<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">Appraisal logic<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">Evidence behind the price range<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">Shows honesty vs wishful thinking<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">Marketing plan<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">Specific channels and timeline<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">Reveals effort, not talk<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">Fee structure<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">Full cost, in writing<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">Prevents surprise charges<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">Communication<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">Reply speed and style<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">Predicts campaign stress<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">Agreement terms<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">Exit clauses and notice periods<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">Protects your options<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Score each agent out of five. Total the columns. The highest score usually wins, not the loudest pitch.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"the-six-criteria-that-actually-predict-a-good-outcome\">The Six Criteria That Actually Predict a Good Outcome<\/h3>\n<p>Past results beat personality every time. An agent with recent local sales knows which streets attract families and which homes sit on the market for months.<\/p>\n<p>Ask for addresses, sale dates, and methods of sale. Then check the numbers yourself.<\/p>\n<div style=\"margin:1.5rem 0;padding:16px 20px;background-color:#f0f9ff;border-left:4px solid #bae6fd;border-radius:0 8px 8px 0\">\n<strong style=\"display:block;margin-bottom:4px;color:#111827;font-size:14px\"> Pro Tip<\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"color:#374151;font-size:15px;line-height:1.6\">Ask each agent for three recent local sales and the days each took to sell. Agents with nothing to show in your area will change the subject fast.<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"check-local-knowledge-recent-sales-and-comparable-properties\">Check Local Knowledge, Recent Sales and Comparable Properties<\/h2>\n<p>Local knowledge means an agent can name comparable properties near your home without checking notes. That instinct comes from years of open homes, buyer enquiry, and negotiation in the same patch.<\/p>\n<p>When we vet agents, we look for three things:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Recent sales within a few kilometres of the property<\/li>\n<li>A clear read on your suburb&#8217;s price range and buyer profile<\/li>\n<li>Familiarity with local schools, zoning, and transport links<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"how-to-verify-a-sales-track-record-yourself\">How to Verify a Sales Track Record Yourself<\/h3>\n<p>Pull recent listings and sale results from public property sites. Match them against what the agent claims. Then ask how each comparable property shaped their appraisal for your home.<\/p>\n<p>If the numbers do not line up, keep looking. A strong sales track record is verifiable, not just stated.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"questions-to-ask-a-real-estate-agent-before-you-sign\">Questions to Ask a Real Estate Agent Before You Sign<\/h2>\n<p>The best questions to ask a <a href=\"\/blog\/real-estate-shakeup\/\">real estate<\/a> agent help you choose right agent by exposing how they think, not just what they know. Ask about their marketing strategy, their buyer database, and how they handle a slow first week.<\/p>\n<p>Try these:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>How will you attract qualified buyers beyond the major listing sites?<\/li>\n<li>What is your recommended method of sale, and why?<\/li>\n<li>How often will you update me during the campaign?<\/li>\n<li>What happens if we receive no offers in the first three weeks?<\/li>\n<li>Can I speak to two recent sellers you have worked with?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Listen closely to the answers. Vague replies now mean vague effort later.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-to-read-a-property-appraisal-and-spot-an-unrealistic-price-promise\">How to Read a Property Appraisal and Spot an Unrealistic Price Promise<\/h2>\n<p>A property appraisal is an informed opinion of value, backed by comparable sales and current market conditions. It is not a guarantee, and it is not a valuation.<\/p>\n<p>That distinction matters, because the appraisal conversation is where most sellers get steered. An agent who quotes far above every other appraisal is usually buying your signature. That inflated figure often leads to a stale listing, price drops, and a lower final sale price.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"the-evidence-test-three-questions-that-expose-a-weak-appraisal\">The Evidence Test: Three Questions That Expose a Weak Appraisal<\/h3>\n<p>Before you accept any price range, ask for the comparable sales in writing. Then run three checks.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Recency.<\/strong> Were the comparables sold in the last three to six months? Older sales tell you about a different market.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Proximity.<\/strong> Are they within a few streets or a few kilometres, and in a similar school zone? A comparable two suburbs away is not a comparable.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Adjustments.<\/strong> How did the agent account for your home&#8217;s condition, section size, and any renovations? If the answer is vague, the range is guesswork.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A common pattern is the &#8220;aspirational comparable&#8221;, one standout sale in the area that gets used to justify a higher figure. Ask directly why that property is relevant to yours.<\/p>\n<div style=\"margin:1.5rem 0;padding:16px 20px;background-color:#f0f9ff;border-left:4px solid #bae6fd;border-radius:0 8px 8px 0\">\n<strong style=\"display:block;margin-bottom:4px;color:#111827;font-size:14px\"> Pro Tip<\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"color:#374151;font-size:15px;line-height:1.6\">Ask each agent to show you the three comparables behind their range, plus one they rejected and why. The rejected comparable often tells you more than the accepted ones.<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<h3 id=\"warning-signs-of-an-unrealistic-price-promise\">Warning Signs of an Unrealistic Price Promise<\/h3>\n<p>Watch for these signals during the appraisal conversation:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A range that sits well above every other agent&#8217;s figure<\/li>\n<li>No written comparable sales, only verbal confidence<\/li>\n<li>Pressure to sign an agency agreement on the spot to &#8220;lock in&#8221; the price<\/li>\n<li>A promise to &#8220;test the market&#8221; at a high number and drop later<\/li>\n<li>Reluctance to discuss what happens if the home does not sell in the first month<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Overpricing a home often means it sits on the market, loses buyer interest, and sells below the realistic range months later. The agent who tells you the honest number is usually the one who sells it fastest.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"how-to-compare-appraisals-side-by-side\">How to Compare Appraisals Side by Side<\/h3>\n<p>Line up every appraisal you receive against the same three columns: the price range, the comparables used, and the assumptions made. If one range is an outlier, ask what evidence supports it.<\/p>\n<p>For consumer guidance on appraisals, agency agreements, and disclosure, the <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rea.govt.nz\/contact-us\/\">Real Estate Authority<\/a> publishes plain-English resources. It is worth ten minutes before you sign anything.<\/p>\n<p>If you want to see how we build an appraisal from local sales evidence, read our guide to preparing your home for appraisal | arizto.co.nz.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"real-estate-agent-red-flags-that-should-end-the-conversation\">Real Estate Agent Red Flags That Should End the Conversation<\/h2>\n<p>Real estate agent red flags show up early if you know what to look for. The biggest one is pressure to sign an agency agreement on the first visit.<\/p>\n<p>Watch for these:<\/p>\n<p class=\"cta-inline\" style=\"background-color: #78939508;border-left: 4px solid #789395;padding: 16px 20px;margin: 24px 0;border-radius: 0 8px 8px 0\">\n     <a href=\"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\" style=\"color: #789395;font-weight: 600;text-decoration: underline\">Book Appraisal \u2192<\/a>\n<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>No recent sales in your area<\/li>\n<li>A price promise with no supporting evidence<\/li>\n<li>Refusal to put fees and marketing costs in writing<\/li>\n<li>Poor follow-up on your first enquiry<\/li>\n<li>Bad reviews or no references at all<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Any one of these is enough to walk away. There are plenty of good agents. You only need one.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-a-strong-real-estate-agent-marketing-plan-looks-like\">What a Strong Real Estate Agent Marketing Plan Looks Like<\/h2>\n<p>A real estate agent marketing plan should name every channel, cost, and deadline. Not a glossy brochure, an actual schedule.<\/p>\n<p>A solid plan covers:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Professional photography and floor plans<\/li>\n<li>Online listing across the major platforms<\/li>\n<li>Social media and email campaigns to a buyer database<\/li>\n<li>Open homes and private viewings<\/li>\n<li>Print and local signage where it works<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Ask how each channel reaches qualified buyers. Then ask how results get reported back to you.<\/p>\n<div style=\"margin:1.5rem 0;padding:16px 20px;background-color:#f0fdf4;border-left:4px solid #bbf7d0;border-radius:0 8px 8px 0\">\n<strong style=\"display:block;margin-bottom:4px;color:#111827;font-size:14px\"> Key Takeaway<\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"color:#374151;font-size:15px;line-height:1.6\">The best marketing plan is specific. If an agent cannot tell you what happens in week one, week two, and week three, the plan is not finished.<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"real-estate-agent-commission-and-fees-what-you-are-actually-paying-for\">Real Estate Agent Commission and Fees: What You Are Actually Paying For<\/h2>\n<p>Real estate agent commission and fees cover far more than a listing. They pay for photography, advertising, negotiation, open homes, and the hours spent chasing buyer enquiry.<\/p>\n<p>Commission structures vary. Some agents charge a percentage of the sale price. Others, like Big Mike, work on a flat fee.<\/p>\n<p>Ask every agent for a full written breakdown before you compare. That includes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The base commission or fee<\/li>\n<li>Marketing costs and who pays them<\/li>\n<li>Any charges if the property does not sell<\/li>\n<li>GST treatment on every line<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For current pricing on our flat-fee model, <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arizto.co.nz\/property-search\/\">check our appraisal page<\/a> or book a chat with Big Mike directly.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"agency-agreements-and-contract-terms-to-read-before-signing\">Agency Agreements and Contract Terms to Read Before Signing<\/h3>\n<p>An agency agreement is a binding contract, so read every clause before signing. This is the step most sellers rush, and it is the step that decides how much control you keep.<\/p>\n<p>Work through these terms one by one:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Term length.<\/strong> How long does the agreement run? A long exclusive term locks you in even if the campaign stalls.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Exclusivity.<\/strong> Is it sole agency or general agency? Sole agency means you cannot appoint another agent during the term, even if you find the buyer yourself.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cancellation and notice.<\/strong> How much notice do you need to cancel, and are there conditions attached?<\/li>\n<li><strong>Commission triggers.<\/strong> When exactly does commission become payable? Ask whether it applies to buyers introduced during the term, and for how long after it ends.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Marketing spend.<\/strong> Who owns the photos, floor plans, and advertising assets if you cancel?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A common pattern is a 90-day sole agency term with a 14-day notice period. That is workable, but only if you understand it before you sign, not after.<\/p>\n<div style=\"margin:1.5rem 0;padding:16px 20px;background-color:#fffbeb;border-left:4px solid #fde68a;border-radius:0 8px 8px 0\">\n<strong style=\"display:block;margin-bottom:4px;color:#111827;font-size:14px\"> Watch Out<\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"color:#374151;font-size:15px;line-height:1.6\">Never sign an agency agreement on the first visit. Take it home, read the cancellation and commission clauses, and ask the agent to explain any term you do not understand in writing.<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<h3 id=\"questions-to-ask-before-you-sign-anything\">Questions to Ask Before You Sign Anything<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>What is the notice period, and how do I give notice?<\/li>\n<li>Does commission apply if I find a buyer myself during the term?<\/li>\n<li>What happens to my marketing costs if I cancel early?<\/li>\n<li>Can you show me the clause that covers this, not just tell me?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If an agent rushes this step, that tells you plenty about how the rest of the campaign will go.<\/p>\n<p>For a deeper look at what happens after you sign, read our guide to measuring your campaign performance | arizto.co.nz.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"measuring-performance-during-the-campaign\">Measuring Performance During the Campaign<\/h2>\n<p>Track your campaign the way you would track any project. Ask for weekly updates covering buyer enquiry numbers, open home attendance, and online views.<\/p>\n<p>Then compare against the plan. If interest is low after two or three weeks, the strategy needs adjusting, not just more waiting.<\/p>\n<p>Use these checkpoints:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Week 1: listing live, first enquiries logged<\/li>\n<li>Week 2: open home numbers and feedback<\/li>\n<li>Week 3: offer activity and price feedback<\/li>\n<li>Week 4: strategy review with your agent<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A good agent welcomes this scrutiny. It shows the campaign is being managed, not left to chance.<\/p>\n<p>For consumer guidance on your rights when selling, the <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rea.govt.nz\/contact-us\/\">Real Estate Authority<\/a> publishes plain-English resources on agency agreements and disclosure. It is worth ten minutes before you sign anything.<\/p>\n<section style=\"margin:3rem 0 2rem 0\">\n<h2 style=\"font-weight:700;margin:0 0 4px 0\" id=\"frequently-asked-questions\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<div style=\"padding:20px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<h3 style=\"font-weight:600;margin:0 0 8px 0\">What is the best way to pick a real estate agent?<\/h3>\n<div style=\"line-height:1.7\">\n<p style=\"margin:0\">Shortlist three agents who have sold comparable properties in your area recently, then score each one against the same criteria: local sales evidence, marketing approach, communication style and fee structure. Ask each for a written appraisal and a marketing plan you can compare side by side. The agent who gives you the most specific, evidence-backed answers is usually the safer pick, even if their price estimate is not the highest.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding:20px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<h3 style=\"font-weight:600;margin:0 0 8px 0\">What are common real estate agent red flags?<\/h3>\n<div style=\"line-height:1.7\">\n<p style=\"margin:0\">Watch for an appraisal that sits well above every recent comparable sale, pressure to sign an agency agreement on the first visit, no written marketing plan, vague answers about fees, and a refusal to put anything in writing. Other warning signs include poor follow-up after the listing appointment, no named contact for your campaign, and reviews that mention communication problems rather than price results.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding:20px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<h3 style=\"font-weight:600;margin:0 0 8px 0\">How do I compare real estate agents before choosing one?<\/h3>\n<div style=\"line-height:1.7\">\n<p style=\"margin:0\">Use a simple scorecard. Give each agent a mark out of five for recent local sales, marketing plan detail, appraisal realism, fee transparency, availability and references. Add the scores up and treat anything below a clear pass as a reason to keep looking. Comparing the same criteria across every agent stops a confident sales pitch from outweighing the actual evidence in front of you.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding:20px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<h3 style=\"font-weight:600;margin:0 0 8px 0\">How long should I give an agent to sell my property?<\/h3>\n<div style=\"line-height:1.7\">\n<p style=\"margin:0\">Agree on a review point before you list, usually around the four to six week mark, and set out in the agency agreement what happens if buyer enquiry is slow. Ask the agent what they will change if the campaign stalls: new photos, a price adjustment or a different method of sale. A clear review clause protects you without needing to end the agreement early.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<hr>\n<p>Choosing the right agent can feel like guesswork, but it does not have to be. Big Mike brings 38+ years across Mid-Canterbury, a flat fee of $12,500 +gst, and Arizto&#8217;s technology to every campaign, with quick unconditional sales and off-market access as standard. If you want a straight answer on what your property is worth, book an appraisal with Big Mike and get a plan you can actually measure.<\/p>\n<div class=\"cta-button-container\" style=\"text-align: center;margin: 32px 0\">\n<p>    <a href=\"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\" class=\"cta-button\" style=\"display: inline-block;background-color: #789395;color: #111827;padding: 14px 32px;border-radius: 8px;text-decoration: none;font-weight: 600;font-size: 16px\">Book Appraisal<\/a>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Choose right agent: Learn how to choose the right real estate agent with our scorecard, red flag checklist and questions to ask before you sign anything.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4433,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[26,7],"tags":[177,178,179,181,180],"class_list":["post-4432","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-real-estate","tag-choose-right-agent","tag-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent","tag-questions-to-ask-a-real-estate-agent","tag-real-estate-agent-marketing-plan","tag-real-estate-agent-red-flags"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Choose the Right Real Estate Agent in 2026<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Choose right agent: Learn how to choose the right real estate agent with our scorecard, red flag checklist and questions to ask before you sign anything.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Choose the Right Real Estate Agent in 2026\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Choose right agent: Learn how to choose the right real estate agent with our scorecard, red flag checklist and questions to ask before you sign anything.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Big Mike&#039;s Real Estate Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-10-16T20:21:08+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-10-16T20:21:12+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/how-to-choose-the-right-real-estate-agent-in-2026-1792095166.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"675\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Mike Grant\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Mike Grant\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/mikegrant.co.nz\\\/blog\\\/choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/mikegrant.co.nz\\\/blog\\\/choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Mike Grant\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/mikegrant.co.nz\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/ba0f0ba243c5a6815565b7d2cf692f89\"},\"headline\":\"How to Choose the Right Real Estate Agent in 2026\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-10-16T20:21:08+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-10-16T20:21:12+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/mikegrant.co.nz\\\/blog\\\/choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2226,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/mikegrant.co.nz\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/ba0f0ba243c5a6815565b7d2cf692f89\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/mikegrant.co.nz\\\/blog\\\/choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/mikegrant.co.nz\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/how-to-choose-the-right-real-estate-agent-in-2026-1792095166.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"choose right agent\",\"how to choose right real estate agent\",\"questions to ask a real estate agent\",\"real estate agent marketing plan\",\"real estate agent red flags\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Blog\",\"Real Estate\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/mikegrant.co.nz\\\/blog\\\/choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/mikegrant.co.nz\\\/blog\\\/choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/mikegrant.co.nz\\\/blog\\\/choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent\\\/\",\"name\":\"How to Choose the Right Real Estate Agent in 2026\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/mikegrant.co.nz\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/mikegrant.co.nz\\\/blog\\\/choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/mikegrant.co.nz\\\/blog\\\/choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/mikegrant.co.nz\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/how-to-choose-the-right-real-estate-agent-in-2026-1792095166.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-10-16T20:21:08+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-10-16T20:21:12+00:00\",\"description\":\"Choose right agent: Learn how to choose the right real estate agent with our scorecard, red flag checklist and questions to ask before you sign anything.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/mikegrant.co.nz\\\/blog\\\/choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/mikegrant.co.nz\\\/blog\\\/choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/mikegrant.co.nz\\\/blog\\\/choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/mikegrant.co.nz\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/how-to-choose-the-right-real-estate-agent-in-2026-1792095166.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/mikegrant.co.nz\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/how-to-choose-the-right-real-estate-agent-in-2026-1792095166.jpg\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":675,\"caption\":\"how to choose the right real estate agent in 2026 1792095166\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/mikegrant.co.nz\\\/blog\\\/choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/mikegrant.co.nz\\\/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"How to Choose the Right Real Estate Agent in 2026\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/mikegrant.co.nz\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/mikegrant.co.nz\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"Bmikegrant.co.nzig Mike's Real Estate Blog\",\"description\":\"Big Mike&#039;s Ashburton Real Estate Blog\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/mikegrant.co.nz\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/ba0f0ba243c5a6815565b7d2cf692f89\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/mikegrant.co.nz\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":[\"Person\",\"Organization\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/mikegrant.co.nz\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/ba0f0ba243c5a6815565b7d2cf692f89\",\"name\":\"Mike Grant\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/mikegrant.co.nz\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/mike-grant-1-e1774343266808.png\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/mikegrant.co.nz\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/mike-grant-1-e1774343266808.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/mikegrant.co.nz\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/mike-grant-1-e1774343266808.png\",\"width\":420,\"height\":401,\"caption\":\"Mike Grant\"},\"logo\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/mikegrant.co.nz\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/mike-grant-1-e1774343266808.png\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/mikegrant.co.nz\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/mikegrant\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How to Choose the Right Real Estate Agent in 2026","description":"Choose right agent: Learn how to choose the right real estate agent with our scorecard, red flag checklist and questions to ask before you sign anything.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"How to Choose the Right Real Estate Agent in 2026","og_description":"Choose right agent: Learn how to choose the right real estate agent with our scorecard, red flag checklist and questions to ask before you sign anything.","og_url":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent\/","og_site_name":"Big Mike&#039;s Real Estate Blog","article_published_time":"2026-10-16T20:21:08+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-10-16T20:21:12+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":675,"url":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/how-to-choose-the-right-real-estate-agent-in-2026-1792095166.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Mike Grant","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Mike Grant","Est. reading time":"11 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent\/"},"author":{"name":"Mike Grant","@id":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/ba0f0ba243c5a6815565b7d2cf692f89"},"headline":"How to Choose the Right Real Estate Agent in 2026","datePublished":"2026-10-16T20:21:08+00:00","dateModified":"2026-10-16T20:21:12+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent\/"},"wordCount":2226,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/ba0f0ba243c5a6815565b7d2cf692f89"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/how-to-choose-the-right-real-estate-agent-in-2026-1792095166.jpg","keywords":["choose right agent","how to choose right real estate agent","questions to ask a real estate agent","real estate agent marketing plan","real estate agent red flags"],"articleSection":["Blog","Real Estate"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent\/","url":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent\/","name":"How to Choose the Right Real Estate Agent in 2026","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/how-to-choose-the-right-real-estate-agent-in-2026-1792095166.jpg","datePublished":"2026-10-16T20:21:08+00:00","dateModified":"2026-10-16T20:21:12+00:00","description":"Choose right agent: Learn how to choose the right real estate agent with our scorecard, red flag checklist and questions to ask before you sign anything.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/how-to-choose-the-right-real-estate-agent-in-2026-1792095166.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/how-to-choose-the-right-real-estate-agent-in-2026-1792095166.jpg","width":1200,"height":675,"caption":"how to choose the right real estate agent in 2026 1792095166"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/choose-right-agent-how-to-choose-right-real-estate-agent\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How to Choose the Right Real Estate Agent in 2026"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/","name":"Bmikegrant.co.nzig Mike's Real Estate Blog","description":"Big Mike&#039;s Ashburton Real Estate Blog","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/ba0f0ba243c5a6815565b7d2cf692f89"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":["Person","Organization"],"@id":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/ba0f0ba243c5a6815565b7d2cf692f89","name":"Mike Grant","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/mike-grant-1-e1774343266808.png","url":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/mike-grant-1-e1774343266808.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/mike-grant-1-e1774343266808.png","width":420,"height":401,"caption":"Mike Grant"},"logo":{"@id":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/mike-grant-1-e1774343266808.png"},"url":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/author\/mikegrant\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4432","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4432"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4432\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4435,"href":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4432\/revisions\/4435"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4433"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4432"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4432"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mikegrant.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4432"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}