Every Agent Says "Integrity." Here's How to Check them.
Claims are free. Behavior is the only proof.
Open any agent's website and you'll find the same words: integrity, trusted advisor, client first. They cost nothing to type. What you actually need to know is how that agent behaves when a deal gets hard, and you can test for it before you hire anyone.
Test any agent against these five
Integrity: Will they tell you your pricing is off, and back it up with comparable sales? An agent who agrees with every number you suggest is not protecting you. Hard news with data behind it is the real thing.
Commitment: Do they communicate on a schedule, or only when a deal is moving? Silence in the slow weeks is where most clients get frustrated. Ask what a quiet week looks like.
Knowledge: Can they explain Flagstaff versus Munds Park versus Sedona? Insurance, snow load, wildfire risk, and HOA rules all change by area. A generic answer is a warning sign. Ex. Munds park is only open in the Summers. (not true)
Conviviality: How do they treat the other agent, the lender, and the inspector? A deal is a team sport, and the way an agent treats the people across the table shows up in your negotiation, your timeline, and your closing.
Compassion: How do they handle a seller who has to sell, or a buyer who is scared? Buying or selling a home is emotional, and the right agent can keep you steady without telling you what you want to hear.
Ask these in the interview
"Tell me about a time you gave a client bad news." Listen for a specific story, what the agent said, and what happened next.
"How often will I hear from you?" A good agent gives you a real answer, not "whenever there's news."
"What's the last listing you had that didn't sell, and what did you change?"
Listen for a specific story and an owned mistake. An agent with zero misses is hiding them or hasn't done much."What would make you tell me not to buy (or sell) right now?"
An agent who can name a real scenario where waiting is smarter is working for you, not for a commission.
If an agent dodges any of these question, you've learned something.
Why I'm sharing this now
I picked these same five words for myself, and for the next 30 days I'm putting them on camera. Starting October 5, I'm posting daily on Instagram at @hollysellsrealestate, and you can watch how I handle real situations across Flagstaff, Kauai, Munds Park, Williams, Sedona, and Cottonwood.
You'll see the market numbers I rely on, how I talk through a tough call, and what a regular working day looks like. If I can't prove a word, you'll see that too.
Think of it as a free look at how an agent works before you ever pick up the phone. Follow along, and hold me to it.
Thinking about buying or selling?
Call or text me at 928-853-7176, or follow along at @hollysellsrealestate on instagram. Ask me the interview questions above any time! I'll answer them straight.
Lastly, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channel that I host with my General Contractor Husband! https://www.youtube.com/@BuyingSellingBuilding