So You’re Buying or Selling a Home... Let’s Talk About Choosing the Right Realtor (And Why It Matters More Than You Think)
You’ve decided it’s time. Maybe you’re ready to buy your dream home, upgrade for more space, or cash in on that growing equity.
You hop online, start scrolling listings, and think, “I’ve got this.”
But then… the questions hit.
What’s the market doing this week? Is that house actually a deal? What’s a “special assessment” and why does that sound expensive?
Before you dive in too deep, let’s talk about the most important decision you’ll make in this entire process—choosing the right Realtor.
Because whether you’re buying or selling, the Realtor you choose will determine how smoothly this goes, how much money you make (or save), and how much stress you’ll avoid.
The Cousin’s Son Dilemma: When Experience Isn’t Optional
We all love supporting family. But just because your cousin’s son just got his real estate license doesn’t mean he should be handling your $700,000 investment.
Would you trust your cousin’s son to perform your heart surgery because he “watched a few YouTube videos”? Of course not. Yet every week, I hear someone say:
“We’re going to let my nephew try to sell our house. He’s new, but we want to give him a chance.”
That’s noble—but it can also be very expensive.
In real estate, mistakes don’t just cost time—they cost tens of thousands of dollars. Pricing a home wrong, missing a contract deadline, mishandling inspection negotiations, or simply not knowing local market dynamics can tank a deal faster than you can say “price reduction.”
An experienced Realtor has seen it all: low appraisals, buyer financing collapses, fake proof-of-funds letters, surprise liens, multiple-offer battles, and the occasional “this roof might blow away next week” inspection.
They don’t panic—they plan.
They don’t guess—they know.
The Full-Time Realtor: Because in Real Estate, You Snooze, You Lose
Real estate moves fast. Like blink-and-it’s-sold fast.
If your Realtor is part-time—working a second job, unavailable after 5:00 PM, or “checking emails later tonight”—you’re already behind.
A true full-time Realtor lives and breathes this business. They’re the ones answering calls at 9:00 PM, scheduling showings before sunrise, and jumping on opportunities the moment they appear.
Because in this market, timing is everything.
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That perfect house? It might be gone in six hours.
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That motivated buyer? They’ll find another property by dinner.
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That great deal? It’s only a deal if you’re the first to act.
I can’t count how many times I’ve heard, “We were going to call tomorrow…”—only for tomorrow to be too late.
In real estate, you snooze, you lose. That’s why you need someone who’s always available, proactive, and ready to move when you are.
When clients call me, they don’t get voicemail. They get results.
What a Great Realtor Actually Does
Let’s break it down. A professional, full-time, experienced Realtor isn’t just showing houses or placing a sign in the yard. Here’s what they bring to the table every single day:
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Deep Market Knowledge – Knowing the nuances of every neighborhood, school district, and amenity—and what truly adds value to a property.
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Connections That Matter – The best Realtors have strong relationships with title companies, inspectors, appraisers, lenders, and even other agents who tip them off to “coming soon” listings.
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Hip Pocket Access – The homes that aren’t even on the market yet. I’ve helped countless clients find their dream homes through these exclusive opportunities—and they still thank me years later.
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Strategic Negotiation – The ability to navigate offers, inspections, repairs, and appraisals with confidence and tact—protecting your interests every step of the way.
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Marketing Muscle – The difference between an iPhone photo and a full luxury campaign with professional photography, video, global syndication, and elite branding that commands higher prices.
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Calm Under Pressure – When deals get tough, emotions run high, or deadlines loom, an experienced agent keeps everyone focused, professional, and moving toward the finish line.
That’s what separates “someone with a license” from a true professional.
A True Story: Experience You Can’t Teach
I’ve shown many of my own listings to buyers who were represented by other Realtors. When I do, I listen to what buyers are saying—and I watch their reactions to the home’s features and amenities.
One time, I was showing a listing and it was clear as day that it just wasn’t the right fit. I finally said,
“I can tell this one isn’t going to work for you. But I’ve got a new listing hitting the market next week, and I think it’s exactly what you’re looking for.”
The buyer and their Realtor looked at each other and said, “Can we go see it now?”
So I set up a showing for 1:00 PM that same day. They came out, toured the home, and loved it—but they were still hesitant. I said,
“You need to come back tonight. See it at 8:00 PM with the lighting, pool lights, and waterfalls running. Trust me—you’ll see it differently.”
They reluctantly agreed.
That night, they walked in, looked around, and said,
“Okay… this is our house.”
Their Realtor wrote the offer that night. We closed 30 days later.
That’s the difference experience makes. Sometimes, it’s not just about what’s on paper—it’s about instinct, timing, and understanding how to connect people with a property in ways they don’t even realize yet.
How Much Money Can You Lose With an Amateur?
Let’s put it simply:
Hiring an inexperienced Realtor is like trying to save money by skipping an oil change. Sure, it seems fine at first—until the engine blows.
Here’s what inexperience really costs:
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Pricing errors: List too high and it sits. List too low and you leave tens of thousands behind.
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Poor negotiation: Weak counteroffers, emotional decision-making, and lack of leverage.
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Missed details: Hidden repairs, inspection deadlines, title surprises.
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No marketing strategy: Your home gets buried under hundreds of listings with better photos and global exposure.
Real estate is not a side hustle. It’s a profession that demands knowledge, instinct, experience, and relentless attention to detail.
And Let’s Clear This Up: AI Will Never Replace a Realtor
Now, there’s another modern myth floating around:
“Pretty soon, AI will handle everything in real estate.”
Let’s all take a deep breath and laugh together.
AI can process data, predict trends, and even write a decent property description (I’ve seen it try). But here’s what it can’t do:
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Read human emotion. AI doesn’t know why you fell in love with that oak tree in the backyard or why the smell of a home reminds you of your grandmother’s kitchen.
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Negotiate under pressure. You can’t algorithm your way through a tense multiple-offer situation or a seller meltdown at 10 p.m.
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Sense subtle cues. A seasoned Realtor knows when a buyer is bluffing or when an offer’s about to fall apart—before it happens.
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Build trust. A computer can’t earn your confidence, calm your nerves, or guide your family through one of the biggest decisions of your life.
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Handle chaos. No AI can coordinate appraisers, lenders, contractors, inspectors, photographers, and title reps when everyone’s schedule blows up the week before closing.
AI is a tool. Realtors are the heartbeat.
If AI could sell houses, Zillow’s Zestimate would have nailed it years ago.
Why The Agency Makes All the Difference
That’s where The Agency Oklahoma comes in.
We blend decades of local expertise with the global power of a brand known worldwide for luxury, innovation, and results. With over 140 offices across the globe, The Agency provides marketing reach and credibility that few brokerages can match.
Our listings appear on the world’s top platforms and media outlets. Our network of agents connects buyers and sellers across states, countries, and continents. And our Oklahoma team? We know this market inside and out—from Edmond to Nichols Hills, Broken Bow to Carlton Landing.
When you hire me and The Agency, you’re not just getting a Realtor—you’re getting an entire team of professionals, creatives, marketers, negotiators, and strategists all working to get your property the attention (and price) it deserves.
Final Thoughts
Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial and emotional decisions you’ll ever make.
Don’t hand it to an amateur, a part-timer, or a family favor.
Hire experience.
Hire expertise.
Hire a Realtor who’s full-time, proven, and connected—because in this business, opportunities don’t wait.
Because at the end of the day, the right Realtor doesn’t just change your deal—they change your outcome.
Wyatt Poindexter
Luxury Realtor Managing Partner, The Agency Oklahoma
📞 405-417-5466
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.WyattPoindexter.com | www.TheAgencyRE.com
