If you're just starting to think about buying or selling, the first decision you make is bigger than most people realize.

It isn't the neighbourhood. It isn't the price range. It isn't even the property.

It's the agent you choose to walk you through it.

Most people don't know what to look for when they pick one. So they go with whoever seems friendly, whoever a friend recommended, or whoever told them what they wanted to hear on the first call.

That last one is where things tend to go sideways.

Here's something worth knowing before you start.

In a shifting market, there's a pattern that plays out more often than people realize. It usually starts with a seller hearing a number they didn't like, or a buyer hearing a strategy that felt too cautious. Instead of working through it, they keep shopping for opinions until they find an agent who agrees with them.

That sounds harmless. It isn't.

What you end up with is an agent who built the relationship on agreement instead of accuracy. Overpriced listings that sit. Offers that don't go anywhere. Decisions driven by emotion rather than market data.

By the time the math catches up, weeks or months have passed. Sometimes more.

So how do you avoid that? Here's what I'd look for.

An agent who tells you something you don't want to hear

Not in a rude way. In a clear, respectful way. If every conversation feels like cheerleading, that's a flag. The market doesn't cheer, and your agent shouldn't either. You want someone who can sit across from you and say, "Here's what the data says, and here's what I'd recommend, even if it isn't the answer you were hoping for."

An agent who shows their work

Numbers should be on the table. Comparable sales, days on market, active competition, recent trends in your specific area. If someone is throwing out a price or a strategy without backing it up, ask why. A good agent will walk you through every piece of it.

An agent who sets expectations early

Before you list. Before you write an offer. Before anything moves. The conversations that feel a little uncomfortable at the start tend to save you from the ones that are much harder later.

An agent who is consistent

What they tell you on day one should be what they tell you on day ninety. If the message changes based on what you seem to want to hear, that tells you everything you need to know.

An agent who is honest about risk

Every market has risk. Pretending it doesn't is a disservice. You want someone who can talk through scenarios, walk through the downside, and still help you move forward with a clear head.

The best agent for you isn't always the one who makes you feel best in the first meeting. It's the one whose advice still holds up six months later.

Honesty doesn't always win in the moment. It tends to win in the long run.

If you're starting the process and want a straightforward conversation, no pressure, just real numbers and a clear plan, reach out anytime.

Cheers,
Matthew