How to choose a realtor (2026 checklist)

By Kaspar Caldwell, REALTOR® · Reviewed

A practical checklist for choosing a realtor in Mississippi in 2026: license checks, questions to ask, buyer agreements, fees and red flags. From Kaspar Caldwell, REALTOR®.

Short answer

Pick a licensed REALTOR® who knows your exact area, closes deals like yours (price range, loan type, rural vs town), responds within hours, and explains your buyer agreement and fees in writing before you tour.

Key takeaways

  • Verify the license with the Mississippi Real Estate Commission.
  • Ask how many deals like yours they closed in the last 2 years.
  • Since August 2024, you sign a written buyer agreement before touring. Read the fee section.
  • Test responsiveness before you commit.

1. Verify the license

Every agent in Mississippi must be licensed by the Mississippi Real Estate Commission (MREC). Look up their name and license number on the MREC website. The license number should also appear in their ads.

2. Match experience to your deal

A great luxury agent may not be the right fit for a $150,000 USDA purchase on two acres. Ask for examples of recent deals in your price range, loan type and area.

3. Ask the right questions

Good questions reveal how an agent actually works.

  • How many buyers like me did you help in the last 12 months?
  • Which towns near me qualify for $0 down?
  • How do you handle multiple offers?
  • Who will I actually talk to day to day?
  • What happens if I want to end our agreement?

4. Understand the buyer agreement

Under current rules, you and your agent sign a written agreement before touring homes. It spells out what they'll do, how long it lasts and how they're paid. Sellers can still offer to cover some or all of your agent's pay, and you can ask for that in your offer.

5. Check responsiveness

Good homes in affordable price ranges can go under contract in days. Text or call and see how fast you get a real answer.

6. Look for local knowledge

Local agents know which roads flood, which areas have well and septic, and which city limits change loan options (for example, Tupelo city limits are not USDA-eligible).

7. Ask about their lending partners

A strong agent can introduce you to lenders who regularly close USDA, FHA and manufactured home loans. You're always free to choose your own lender.

8. Watch for red flags

  • Pressure to sign long agreements without explanation
  • Promises of loan approval or specific rates (only a lender can do that)
  • Steering you toward or away from neighborhoods based on who lives there
  • No license number in ads

9. Make sure you're comfortable

You'll share finances and make a big decision together. Choose someone who explains things plainly and doesn't rush you.

Frequently asked questions

Is a REALTOR® the same as a real estate agent?

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Not exactly. A REALTOR® is a licensed agent who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and agrees to its Code of Ethics.

Do I have to pay my buyer's agent?

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You agree on compensation in your written buyer agreement. Sellers often offer to pay part or all of it, which can be negotiated in your offer.

Can I interview more than one agent?

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Yes. Interviewing two or three agents is common and smart.