If I were selling my home in another state — where I didn’t know the market, the neighborhoods, or the agents — I wouldn’t just hire the first person who came recommended to me. I would start with a referral, but I wouldn’t take that referral at face value.
Why? Because someone else’s experience doesn’t automatically translate into the right experience for me.
Choosing the right real estate agent matters. A lot. And if I were doing this from afar, here’s exactly how I’d approach it, step by step.
Step One: Start With a Referral — Then Verify It 🔍
A personal referral is a great starting point. It tells me someone had a decent experience. But that’s all it tells me.
The very next thing I’d do is verify that agent online.
I’d Google them. I’d look for consistency. I’d look for reviews — and not just testimonials.
There’s an important difference between the two. A testimonial usually says something like, “David was great. He helped us through the entire process.” A review goes deeper. It often includes ratings, scores, and detailed feedback about communication, pricing advice, negotiation skills, and overall performance.
On my own website, you can view verified third-party reviews under the Reviews section here:
👉 https://www.daviddorman.com
Those reviews are powered by Real Satisfied, a third-party platform that verifies where reviews come from using IP address validation. In fact, I once had a glowing review flagged because it was submitted from inside my office using the same IP address — that’s how strict the system is. You can’t fake it.
I’d also check Zillow and Realtor.com, because when an agent is doing their job properly, their reviews tend to appear consistently across platforms.
One thing I wouldn’t look for is perfection. ⭐
Perfect scores rarely tell the full story. Even great professionals have the occasional hiccup. What matters is whether the overall experience was strong enough that minor issues didn’t define the relationship.
Step Two: Check Credentials — Not Just Sales Volume 📊
Next, I’d look at credentials.
Sales volume matters, but it’s not the whole story.
One place I’d verify this is directly on the brokerage’s corporate website. For example, you can view my official Century 21 agent profile here:
👉 https://www.century21.com/real-estate-agent/profile/david-dorman-P25090257/
That page shows professional background, awards, and customer satisfaction indicators — not just production numbers. I like that because it adds another layer of transparency and accountability beyond what an agent might say in person.
To me, customer service matters just as much as volume. An agent can sell a lot of homes and still be difficult to work with. I’d rather work with someone who combines experience with strong communication and professionalism — someone I actually want to work with.
Step Three: Interview the Agent — and Make Them Show Their Work 🏠
No agent would walk into my home without me doing my homework first.
When we sit down, I want specifics.
I’d ask them to:
- Show me recent sales in the exact areas I’m considering
- Explain how they arrive at pricing
- Walk me through current and recent listings so I can see how they actually market homes
This matters more than most sellers realize.
I’d look closely at their listings:
- Are the photos professional and properly ordered?
- Are the descriptions detailed and accurate?
- Are room dimensions included?
- Are schools listed?
- Is the MLS data fully filled out?
If you’ve followed my blog, you know how important this is. The MLS is the foundation of all online exposure. Zillow, Realtor.com, Homes.com — they all pull from it. If the data is incomplete or sloppy, your home may never even make it into a buyer’s search results.
I’d also take one of their listings and drop the address into Google. That tells me quickly whether the agent is relying solely on MLS distribution or actively investing in broader online visibility.
Step Four: Look at the Brokerage — Not Just the Agent 🏢
Next, I’d look at the brokerage itself.
No brokerage is perfect. My former office had over 60 agents — not everyone received glowing reviews. What matters is how issues are handled.
As a seller, I want to know:
- Who do I go to if there’s a problem?
- Does the broker step in?
- Is there accountability beyond the individual agent?
This is one reason I value franchise systems like Century 21. There’s oversight beyond the local office. If something isn’t handled properly, there’s another layer of accountability — and that matters when you’re making one of the biggest financial decisions of your life.
Step Five: Communication Is Everything 📞
If there’s one thing that can make or break a transaction, it’s communication.
If I call an agent, I expect a response — not necessarily an immediate answer, but acknowledgment. If I miss a call, I either return it quickly or send a text letting the person know I saw it and will call back shortly.
I once heard an agent say, “Give me 48 hours to respond to emails.”
That’s simply not acceptable in today’s market.
Text messages, emails, phone calls — responsiveness matters. Missed calls often mean missed opportunities. Even when I’m on vacation — even when I’m on another continent — I’m reachable. That’s a choice I’ve made, and it’s one reason my clients feel supported.
Step Six: Systems, Feedback, and Reality Checks 🧠
Finally, I’d ask about systems.
Do they have a transaction coordinator?
How do they track showings and online engagement?
How often do they send meaningful updates — not just noise?
If I see 1,000 online views and one save, that tells me something isn’t working. If I see strong online engagement but very few showings, that usually points to pricing or condition — two foundational topics in selling real estate that I’ve covered in depth on my blog. You can explore my posts on pricing strategy, pricing psychology, and how condition affects buyer behavior here:
👉 https://www.daviddorman.com/blog/
I also caution sellers not to obsess over written feedback. The best feedback is an offer. Many buyer agents no longer provide detailed written feedback due to legal concerns — in some cases, feedback has been used against buyers during negotiations.
A professional listing agent understands this and focuses on real data, trends, and buyer behavior, not just comments.
The difference between agents is simple:
One puts a sign in the yard and waits 🎣
The other actively manages the entire process.
Final Thought 💬
If I were selling my home in another state, I’d want an agent who is verified, responsive, experienced, accountable, and honest — even when the truth isn’t easy to hear.
That’s not too much to ask.
That’s what hiring a professional should look like.
And if you want to see what past clients have said about working with me, you can view my verified reviews directly on my website under Reviews.
When you hire David Dorman, you GET David Dorman.
Contact Information 📞
David Dorman
Century 21 Carioti
📍 Serving Ocoee, Winter Garden & Greater Orlando
📞 407-948-8295
🌐 https://www.daviddorman.com
🌐 https://www.liveinorlandofl.com