Let’s be honest—today’s real estate market looks very different than it did even five or ten years ago. We’re all plugged into social media. We scroll, we watch, we click. And in real estate, that means you’re constantly seeing agents touring homes, filming cinematic videos, adding music, transitions, drone shots… the whole production. And look—I’m not knocking that. But here’s the reality: being good at social media does NOT automatically make someone a good real estate agent.

There was a time when marketing a home meant putting it in the newspaper, maybe a magazine, and eventually uploading photos online. That was enough. Now, the bar is higher visually—but that doesn’t mean the fundamentals have changed. A polished video might get attention, but it doesn’t negotiate your contract, it doesn’t price your home correctly, and it doesn’t protect your money. That’s where experience, strategy, and real-world knowledge come in—and that’s what actually matters.

If you find an agent online—whether it’s Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, or anywhere else—that’s a great starting point, but it should only be the starting point. The first thing I would recommend is asking them to show you their actual sales. Not the team’s, not the brokerage’s, not listings they toured—your agent’s personal production. There’s a big difference between someone who talks about homes and someone who consistently closes them. Next, ask which listings are actually theirs. A lot of agents showcase homes that aren’t their listings. Sometimes it’s with permission, sometimes not. Either way, that doesn’t tell you how they perform when it’s their responsibility on the line. You want to see homes they’ve personally listed, how they were marketed, how quickly they sold, and what kind of results they delivered.

From there, take a close look at the quality of their listings. Are the photos professional? Is the description detailed and optimized? Is the MLS data fully filled out? Because here’s something most people don’t realize—the MLS feeds Zillow, Realtor.com, Homes.com, and even AI-driven search tools. If the data isn’t complete and accurate, your home is already at a disadvantage before a buyer even sees it. And finally, look at reviews. Not just from clients, but if possible, from other agents as well. This is a cooperative business, and your agent’s reputation can directly impact how smoothly your transaction goes.

Now let me say this clearly—everyone starts somewhere. There are plenty of new agents who are hardworking and will go on to have great careers. But buying or selling a home is one of the largest financial decisions you’ll ever make, and just like you wouldn’t hire a brand-new financial advisor or trust a major medical decision to someone without experience, it’s reasonable to want a proven professional guiding you through the process. That’s not disrespect—that’s being smart.

The truth is, flashy marketing gets attention, but attention doesn’t equal results. A great agent knows how to position your home correctly in the market, navigate negotiations strategically, handle inspections and timelines properly, and communicate clearly from start to finish. Those are the things that protect your bottom line. Whether you’re buying or selling in Ocoee, Winter Garden, Windermere, Orlando, Clermont, Minneola, or even smaller pockets like Gotha, the same principle applies—the right agent matters more than the flashiest one. Every market has its own nuances, pricing strategies, and timing considerations, and having someone who understands those details locally can make a significant difference in your outcome.

Social media is a great tool and it can introduce you to agents you might not have found otherwise, but don’t stop there. Ask questions, do your homework, and look beyond the highlight reel. Because at the end of the day, you don’t need the most entertaining agent—you need the most effective one.

If you ever want a straightforward conversation about your options, I’m always happy to help. When you hire David Dorman, you GET David Dorman. 📞 407-948-8295 🌐 https://www.daviddorman.com