How to find the best realtors in the Denver, CO area
The Mile High City is one of the fastest-growing and most exciting areas in the country. From a bustling downtown to a thriving metro area to the wild Rocky Mountains and all they offer just a short drive away, it’s easy to see why. But for those looking to buy or sell a home in the area - whether current residents moving within the area or first-timers just moving in - the fast pace and competition of the housing market is a lot to keep up with. That’s why you need to find a great real estate agent.
Fortunately, we’re well equipped to help you in that search. As a matter of fact, our list of the best real estate agents in the Denver area is a great place to start. You can also use our guide on what to look for in a real estate agent in 2023 as a reference.
So what makes the best real estate agents in Denver the best?
Experience
One of the first things to look at when evaluating a real estate agent is how long they’ve been at it. Consider the years a realtor has been licensed, the number of deals they’ve transacted, and the value of those deals. The types of properties and the side of the deal the realtor represented (buyer or seller) is also relevant. Now, experience shouldn’t always be a dealbreaker - every real estate agent has to start somewhere, and a newly licensed realtor could make up for their lack in that department by going the extra mile elsewhere. More experienced agents also often command a higher premium in their commissions - and with the current median home price in the Denver area at well over half a million, a difference of even a percentage point represents tens of thousands of dollars in final costs.
Expertise
The “best” real estate agent for one deal isn’t necessarily the best for another. If you’re selling your home, for instance, and want to ensure you reap the most value possible, you may consider a real estate agent who specializes in representing sellers. The majority of real estate agents are well versed in the standard business of buying and selling residential homes, but if your situation differs from that standard in any major way, it may be worth seeking out someone with an expertise in that area. For instance, many real estate agents specialize in working with buyers of income properties. Other realtors are experts in dealing with condominiums. It’s worth asking a potential real estate agent to ensure they’ll be able to adequately represent you and won’t be venturing too far outside of their own wheelhouse.
Stellar reviews
It’s never been easier to get a quick read on what real clients think of a real estate agent. Online reviews are an essential aspect of the real estate agent evaluation process today. Google any real estate agent and you’re bound to find at least a handful of sites on which real clients have left reviews. Read these reviews carefully - always keep in mind that negative sentiment tends to be exaggerated online, and positive sentiment downplayed, so take them with a grain of salt. But read them thoroughly, keeping an eye out for red flags and dealbreakers, and jotting down questions to ask of any realtors you want to consider working with.
Interview results
Although research in the due diligence phase can tell you a lot, and help narrow down a solid short list of great real estate agents, there’s no substitute for a real conversation. Notice that in each of the criteria above, we cautioned against using that criteria as an ultimate factor. A real conversation is the only way to really get to the bottom of those factors and establish the level of comfort needed to hire a real estate agent.
This interview - or consultation, introduction, meeting, chat - however you want to describe it - can be as formal or informal as you are comfortable with. The important thing is to establish a rapport, get answers to any questions or hesitations, and move forward with confidence.
In our interview process with agents ranked in our list of the best realtors in the Denver, CO area, we ask about experience and expertise, and we analyze reviews. But we also seek to get to know the real estate agent as a unique person and professional - exploring strengths and weaknesses, personal approaches to the trade, etc. This allows us to factor in the intangible aspects, as well as tangible data, to arrive at a cohesive ranking.
Finding a great realtor in the Denver area can seem like a daunting task - but we’ve got it down to a science. Use our list of the best agents in town as a starting point. Let us know how we can help!