Some questions you might consider asking a real estate agent are:

• How long have you been selling real estate? An agent with several years in the business under their belt may not get rattled if bumps in the road occur during the buying or selling process. And because real estate is a commission-based field, it may be a good sign that the agent provides good service if their career has longevity.
• How many homes have you sold/closed on in the past six months? This could indicate the real estate agent’s success rate in the current market. In addition, some agents work primarily with either buyers or sellers, so you’ll want to know if the agent can meet your needs. If you’re looking to sell one home and purchase another, having one agent that can work with you on both transactions might make the process smoother.
• What is your average number of clients? The number of clients the real estate agent is working with could have a direct impact on how much time he or she has to give attention to you and your situation.
• Do you work with a team? It’s important to know whether you’ll be working with one agent the whole time or if there’s a chance you’ll meet with other team members at some point.
• What area(s) do you cover? Some real estate agents are neighborhood experts, while others cover a broader territory. Know where the agent has a footprint and make sure the area –and the agent’s local expertise –are compatible with your needs.
• What is your marketing and/or negotiation strategy? Whether you’re a buyer or seller, you’ll want to know how an agent plans to negotiate on your behalf. And if you’re selling, you’ll want to know the agent’s approach to advertising your home to potential buyers.
• What type of communication should I expect from you? How often you and the agent will communicate with one another, as well as the best means of communication for the involved parties, should be established early.
• Can you provide me with contact information for three references? Speaking directly with a real estate agent’s former clients can help you get candid reviews of what it’s like to work with them.

A real estate agent’s commission is technically negotiable. Commission from a real estate transaction is usually split between the listing agent and the buyer’s agent, as well as the brokerages they work for, and it’s often between 5 and 6%. But there are situations in which the seller could try to negotiate for a slightly smaller fee. Some examples include if you’re selling a home that’s move-in ready, if you’re buying and selling using the same agent, if you allow a lockbox so the agent doesn’t have to host every showing of the home, or perhaps if your home is in a hot market and you expect it to sell quickly. On the flip side, agents and brokers don’t have to lower their fees. But it could be worth a discussion depending on your bargaining chips.

No. The Port Aransas real estate agents in this list were selected based on objective performance data and are not affiliated with U.S. News. U.S. News partners with HomeLight to analyze data including, but not limited to, how many properties the real estate agents have worked with, how quickly they have bought or sold properties for their clients and how much money they have earned or saved their clients.

Real estate agents earn commission by providing a range of services during a real estate transaction. Commission ensures homebuyers and sellers get the assistance they need during this process. Agents help search for sale properties, set the home price, market the listing, show the home to potential buyers, negotiate the sale, assist with home inspections and appraisals, and close the sale. In addition, good agents are reachable to their clients at all times, so paying for an agent should get you full access to them.

A real estate agent’s job is to find you the right home as seamlessly as possible, so hiring a well-regarded agent can expedite the process. Top agents are trained to understand the complete home buying process, and you can seek out agents with specialized training to fit your needs. Whether you’re buying or selling a home, the odds of securing the price you want are higher if you work with a top-performing real estate agent. A seasoned professional can negotiate the best deal for you by using tactics to lower closing costs and repair costs, for example, or advocate for extra incentives within the deal. In addition, a well-connected real estate agent can give you referrals for services and professionals you may need for your new home.

It all depends on the state of the Port Aransas real estate market at the time, but we recommend speaking to a real estate agent as soon as you’re thinking of buying or selling a home in the area, which may be anywhere from three to nine months before you want to move. Leave time to interview agents if you are new to home buying or selling or if you’ll be using an agent you’ve never worked with. Sellers generally should reach out earlier than buyers, and you should contact a real estate agent before making any pre-sale home improvements.