How to Choose the Right Real Estate Professional

By: Sara Fritz

Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever

make, and it can be deeply personal, too. Choosing the right real estate

professional isn’t just about credentials or flashy marketing (though experience

and skill matter). It’s about finding someone who makes you feel genuinely

comfortable throughout the process.

Let’s start with the basics. You want someone qualified. You need a professional

who’s experienced in your market, responsive, and has a strong reputation for

getting results. Ask a few key questions when you’re interviewing agents:

• How long have they worked in real estate?

• Do they specialize in your neighborhood or price point?

• How do they approach pricing, marketing, or negotiation?

These questions reveal both their expertise and their approach. If you’re buying,

you’ll want someone who truly understands the local inventory and can recognize

a home’s value beyond what’s online. If you’re selling, your agent should bring a

clear marketing plan, realistic pricing guidance, and a thoughtful understanding of

buyer behavior in your area. You will want someone who knows what is required

for selling your home by each municipality and has access to contractors who can

get the work done.

Here in Delaware County, no two neighborhoods are exactly alike. What works in

Media might look different from Wallingford, Swarthmore, or Springfield. A great

agent knows those nuances and can help you navigate them confidently. And even

within towns, there are quirks that only someone very familiar with the “micro-

market” can help navigate, as both a buyer or seller.

But once you’ve confirmed someone has the experience and local insight, here’s

where my biggest piece of advice comes in: pay attention to how you feel when you

talk to them.

You’ll spend a lot of time communicating with your agent, discussing goals,

navigating decisions, and sometimes facing surprises. The right person should make

you feel at ease, heard, and supported. They’ll listen carefully, answer your

questions honestly, and understand what truly matters to you beyond the

transaction itself. You should feel like this person will not only celebrate your

meeting your real estate goals, but also someone who may need to be the bearer of

news that is difficult to hear. You truly want to feel this person is in your corner.

Real estate comes with plenty of moving parts and emotions. The agent who helps

you stay calm, confident, and informed is the one you’ll be grateful to have by your

side.

From my experience, most successful closings happen not just because of expertise,

but because of trust and communication. When you feel comfortable enough to be

open about your needs and concerns, your agent can represent you at their absolute

best.

So yes, confirm their track record and make sure they know your market inside and

out. But once that’s done, let your instincts take the lead. Choose the person who

feels right.

Because when you find someone who combines knowledge with approachability,

someone who makes you feel genuinely cared for, that’s when buying or selling your

home becomes not just a smart decision, but a truly positive experience.

About the Author

Sara Fritz

Sara brings her real estate clients a unique value and perspective. Her professional career path began as a registered nurse and evolved into healthcare analytics and project management. Throughout her nursing experience, Sara learned to work closely and effectively with others during stressful and often tenuous times in their life. Her work in business analytics has honed her ability to capture and quantify customer needs in order to help them make more informed decisions and to understand the market. Sara’s management experience supports her ability to build trust and communicate effectively which ensures seamless and successful real estate transactions for her clients. Sara maintains her nursing license and enjoys working as a nurse on a per diem basis at a local assisted living community. 

As a lifelong DELCO resident and top-producing agent at Compass, Sara brings more than just real estate expertise—she brings heart, hustle, and an unwavering commitment to her clients. Whether you're reimagining how and where you want to live, relocating to be closer to family, or preparing your home for sale, Sara’s guidance is rooted in empathy, strategy, and deep local knowledge. As a founding member of NextPhase DELCO, she believes every transition deserves trusted support and a personal touch.