How to Pick the Right Real Estate Agent in Little Rock, AR

Why Choosing an Agent Matters So Much

Buying or selling a home is likely one of the biggest financial moves you will ever make. Yet a lot of people pick an agent the way they pick a restaurant: whoever shows up first, or whoever costs the least.

I have been in business for more than 40 years, starting in my family's hardware business and later holding senior roles at Sears, Alltel, and Verizon Wireless. Today I am a REALTOR® with Keller Williams serving Little Rock, Benton, Bryant, Conway, Cabot, and Maumelle. Across all of those jobs, one lesson stayed the same: customers trust you when you stay calm, tell the truth, and communicate, especially when something goes wrong.

Here is what I would want you to know before you hire any agent, including me. For a local angle, see my guide to the best real estate agent in Little Rock.

Can You Actually Reach Your Agent?

I once worked with a client whose previous agent would not answer the phone, never replied to a text, and was simply not available. That client was in the middle of the biggest purchase of their life and getting silence.

I answer my phone. I answer my text messages. I reply to emails. That should be the bare minimum, but it is the first thing I would test.

A real estate transaction moves quickly. Inspection windows, lender requests, and closing dates do not wait for an agent to get back to you whenever they feel like it. If an agent is slow to respond before they have your business, do not expect that to improve after you sign.

How Does Your Agent Handle Problems?

Every transaction has a problem at some point. The real question is who you want next to you when it shows up. Here are two examples from my own deals.

The Buyer Who Changed Jobs Right Before Closing

We were scheduled to close at the end of the week. On Monday morning, the lender called to tell me they had tried to verify the husband's employment and learned he had quit his job the Saturday before closing week.

That could have ended the deal. Instead, I talked with my client and asked open-ended questions until I understood the whole picture. He was starting a new job that Wednesday. The lender spoke with the new employer, who agreed to cut him a paycheck that Friday. The lender called to verify the new employer the following Monday, everything checked out, and we closed at the end of that week.

Nobody lost the house, and it came down to staying calm, asking good questions, and finding a solution that worked for everyone.

The Government Shutdown That Froze a USDA Loan

In this deal, the lender was gathering information on the buyer and found he had not filed taxes in two years. The buyer got that resolved, and he actually received a refund. Then we submitted the USDA application, and the government shut down for 45 days.

The seller was understandably impatient. We were able to delay closing for an additional 45 days, but it took a lot of back and forth with the listing agent and a lot of reassurance that the buyer was solid and that we would close as soon as USDA processed the file. Once they did, approval took about a week. We closed, and everyone was happy.

My Approach When Things Get Hard

My approach is simple:

• Remain calm and be the rock

• Do not panic

• Communicate constantly

• Be honest

• Ask for help when you need it

Panic does not close deals. Calm, honest problem-solving does.

Why the Lowest Commission Is Not the Best Deal

If there is one thing I think people overvalue, it is the lowest commission.

Ask yourself: do you go to the cheapest dentist in town? Do you buy the cheapest furniture you can find? No. You pick a good, reputable dentist. You pick solid furniture that will last. You do not cut corners on things that matter.

Your agent is the person guiding you through your home sale or purchase, negotiating on your behalf, and keeping the deal together when problems pop up. That is not the place to cut corners. And if you are wondering about skipping an agent altogether, here is how a real estate agent compares to FSBO.

Questions to Ask Before You Hire an Agent

When you interview an agent, here is what I would ask.

How Do You Communicate?

Some clients prefer phone calls. Others are happier with text messages. A good agent adapts to you and can tell you how and how quickly they will respond.

Can You Walk Me Through the Process From Start to Finish?

Ask the agent to explain step one through step fifty. You can preview the road ahead in my guide to the home buying process in Arkansas. Honestly, there are probably closer to a hundred steps between deciding to buy or sell and handing over the keys. A good agent understands the whole flow, can explain what comes next, and knows where things tend to go wrong. If they cannot explain it clearly, they may not be ready to guide you through it.

What Do Past Clients Say About You?

Do not just glance at the star rating. Read the reviews. Look for what past clients say about communication, honesty, and how the agent handled challenges.

How Quickly Will You Return My Calls?

Pay attention to how they answer this question, and to how fast they respond to you while you are still deciding. The right agent has a sense of urgency and returns your calls in a timely manner.

The Bottom Line

The right agent understands the flow of a transaction, brings urgency to your goals, communicates, and answers your calls. They stay steady when the pressure is on, and they are honest even when the news is not what you hoped to hear.

If you are thinking about buying or selling in the Little Rock area, I would be glad to talk. Call me, text me, or email me. I will answer.

Richard "Hawk" Hawkins

REALTOR®, Keller Williams Realty | Hawk The Realtor
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