How to Find a Real Estate Agent When You're Moving to a New City

Moving to a new city is one of the most high-stakes decisions a family makes. You are buying a home in a market you do not know, in neighborhoods you have never walked, from an agent you have never met. Most people default to one of two approaches: asking a friend for a referral, or Googling and clicking on whoever shows up first.

Both are risky. Here is a better way.

The Problem with the Current System

When you search for a real estate agent in a new city, a result page alone does not establish identity, credentials, service quality, local knowledge, or fit. Build a comparison from evidence you can check.

Agent-matching services commonly charge agents a 25% to 40% referral fee on every deal that closes through their platform. On a typical home sale, that can be thousands of dollars out of your agent's pocket. Money the agent earned but does not keep. And it comes out of the pool that should be funding your representation.

A personal referral can be useful, but experience in one place or property type may not transfer to another. Ask how each candidate's recent work relates to the homes and areas you are considering.

What Actually Matters When Choosing an Agent

Forget the marketing. Focus on three things:

1. Available Transaction Records

How many homes has this agent sold in the specific area you are targeting? Not "the metro area." Not "Virginia." The actual neighborhoods you are considering.

An agent with 40 transactions in your target city over the past 3 years is a fundamentally different proposition than an agent with 5. Volume is not everything, but it is the foundation. It tells you the agent is active, connected, and familiar with the nuances of the local market.

2. Buyer vs. Seller Representation

Some agents primarily represent sellers while others more often represent buyers. Review available representation-side records, then ask candidates about services and experience relevant to your side of the transaction.

3. Pricing Accuracy

Check the agent's sold-to-list ratio. This tells you how close their transactions close to the original list price. For buyer's agents, a ratio near or below 100% means they are negotiating effectively. For listing agents, a ratio near 100% means they are pricing homes accurately, not overpricing to win listings and then dropping the price later.

The 5-Step Process for Finding an Agent in a New City

Step 1: Define Your Target Area

Before you start looking at agents, narrow your geography. Research neighborhoods based on your priorities: commute, schools, walkability, budget, lifestyle. Use neighborhood guides and market data pages to understand the landscape before you start talking to agents.

If you are relocating for work, map the commute from different neighborhoods to your office. A 20-minute difference each way adds up to 3+ hours per week.

Step 2: Search for Agents by Real Data

Use available sales records as one comparison input rather than relying on a marketing claim. Look for:

• Total transactions in each city and neighborhood
• Average sale price and price range
• Average days on market
• Buyer-side vs. seller-side activity
• Available record details that can support interview questions

Search for agents by city

Step 3: Compare 3 to 5 Agents

Do not hire the first agent you find. Compare several candidates using available records, interviews, references, credentials, services, compensation, and written terms. Look for details you can confirm:

• Who has the most transactions in the specific area you want?
• Who has experience with your property type (condo vs. townhome vs. single-family)?
• Who is active on both the buying and selling side?

Step 4: Interview Before You Commit

Interview candidates and ask direct questions:

• "How many homes have you helped buyers purchase in [neighborhood] in the past year?"
• "What is the typical offer strategy in this market right now?"
• "How do you communicate during the process? How often will I hear from you?"
• "What is your commission structure, and is it negotiable?"

Schedule online interviews with several candidates and compare their answers, services, compensation, references, and written terms. Review agent profiles on smover.

Step 5: Negotiate and Hire Directly

Once you have chosen your agent, negotiate your terms directly. Commission rates, communication expectations, contract duration: these are all negotiable. The agent works for you. Make sure the relationship reflects that.

The comparison process can happen online. Ask each platform and provider to disclose referral arrangements, services, compensation, and written terms. Review agent profiles on smover as one input.

Red Flags to Watch For

• No verifiable transaction history. If you cannot find evidence of actual sales, move on.
• Pressure to sign immediately. Take time to review credentials, references, services, compensation, and written terms before agreeing to representation.
• Vague answers about the local market. If they cannot tell you what homes sell for in a specific neighborhood, they do not know the market well enough.
• High referral fee platforms. If you found the agent through a platform that charges 25% to 40% referral fees, know that the agent is paying for that lead. That does not mean they are bad, but it does mean part of their commission is going to someone who is not helping you.

Special Considerations for Relocating Families

Military PCS Moves

Military families move every 2 to 3 years. You need an agent who understands PCS timelines, VA loan requirements, and the reality that you may be buying sight-unseen. Look for agents with experience in military-heavy areas like Springfield, Fort Belvoir corridor, Quantico, or Pentagon City.

Read the PCS to Fort Belvoir guide

Corporate Relocations

If your employer offers relocation assistance, understand how the agent relationship works. Some programs assign agents while others let you choose. Ask about representation, referral arrangements, services, compensation, and whether you may interview alternatives.

Long-Distance Buying

Virtual tours, video calls, and digital closings may reduce the need to travel for every showing. Ask each candidate how they handle remote walkthroughs, written notes, and property questions. Build trust through interviews, references, written terms, and evidence you can verify.

The Bottom Line

Finding a real estate agent in a new city does not have to be a leap of faith. Review available records, interview candidates, check references, confirm credentials, and understand the written terms before choosing representation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I find a good real estate agent when I am moving to a city I have never visited?

Start with available transaction records, then compare several candidates through video interviews. Ask how they handle virtual walkthroughs, property questions, inspections, communication, services, compensation, references, and credentials.

Q: Should I use a relocation company to find my agent?

Referral arrangements vary. Ask the platform and provider to disclose any referral fee, how compensation works, which services are included, and whether you may compare alternatives. Available transaction records are one input and do not verify provider identity or predict performance.

Q: What if my employer assigns me a relocation agent?

Some corporate relocation programs assign agents automatically. If you have a choice, use it. The assigned agent may not have experience in your target neighborhood. If you must use the assigned agent, still research their transaction history in your area. Ask the same interview questions you would ask any agent.

Q: Can I buy a home remotely without visiting in person?

Remote tours and digital transaction steps may reduce travel, but processes and risks vary. Ask candidates how they handle video tours, property questions, inspections, financing coordination, written documentation, references, and credentials before deciding whether a remote purchase fits your situation.