How to Choose the Right Realtor in Texas: An Informed Buyer & Seller’s Guide
Choosing a Realtor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when buying or selling a home in Texas. I hope, of course, that you choose me — but regardless of who you work with, my goal is that you are informed, empowered, and confident in your choice. Real estate transactions involve at a minimum hundreds of thousands, and often millions, of dollars. The professional you hire matters more than most people realize.
Let’s start with a reality check. At year end, there were 16,966 Realtor members of Unlock MLS. The average agent sells just 4.4 homes per year, totaling about $2.5M in volume. Even more telling: 34% sold zero homes in 2025, 53% sold 0–1 homes, and 71% sold three or fewer homes. Experience in real estate is not evenly distributed. The top 20% of agents sell $3M+ or 5+ units per year, while the top 5% sell $8.5M+ or 14+ units, and the top 1% sell $20M+ or 29+ units annually. I am consistently in the top 5% of agents in Austin, and I do this work full-time. That distinction matters.
Agent vs. Broker: Know the Difference
In Texas, a sales agent must work under a broker. A broker has additional education, testing, and legal responsibility for transactions. I am a broker, which means deeper training, more accountability, and a higher level of oversight and expertise for my clients. My official title is broker associate, because I choose to align myself with another brokerage Bramlett Partners, because I believe that backing helps me serve my clients better.
Why Full-Time, Active Professionals Matter
It’s unfortunate, but the majority of licensed Realtors are not actually active in the market, regardless of how long they’ve held a license. Real estate changes quickly—pricing strategy, contract nuances, negotiation norms, and local market data all evolve constantly. You deserve a professional who is in the trenches every day.
Brokerage Backing Matters
The industry has seen massive consolidation into large, publicly traded corporations that hire almost anyone with a license. It’s a numbers game. Some agents will succeed, and the brokerage will profit from the few agents who succeed. These companies are risking bad client experiences, in order to maximize profit. Bramlett Partners does not operate that way. We are one of Austin’s few reputable, locally owned brokerages of meaningful size. We are client-centric, no-pressure, and data-driven, with 1,200+ five-star Google reviews. We hire selectively—only high-producing agents who put client experience first.
Questions Every Buyer or Seller Should Ask
Whether buying or selling:
Are you a broker or a sales agent?
How much will you get paid?
Do you accept referral fees from vendors? If so, which vendors?
Do you have any support staff?
How many transactions did you do last year?
What will communication with you be like?
For $1M+ transactions, which private listing networks are you part of? (Austin has four main ones.)
What buyers should ask:
How do you help me make pricing decisions?
How will you ensure this aligns with my long-term goals?
If a seller or builder offers you more than our agreed upon pay, what is your policy?
What resources do you provide so I am informed through the process?
Do you do end-of-year tax reviews to compare estimates vs. actuals?
What sellers should ask:
How do you price my home?
What is your staging policy?
What experience do you have with my specific circumstances (probate, short sale, etc.)?
How do you handle multiple offers?
What pre-marketing do you do?
If the home isn’t selling, what’s the strategy?
How are showings managed?
My Philosophy
I don’t see myself as a sales agent. I see myself as an advisor. With public listing sites, anyone can find a house. You hire me to ensure you are making strong offers, doing proper due diligence, and avoiding costly mistakes. Sellers hire me to protect their equity, reduce time on market, and avoid unnecessary carrying costs like taxes, insurance, and maintenance.
With a background in marketing, real estate investing, and geopolitical/economic risk consulting, I bring structure, systems, and strategy to every transaction — especially the difficult ones. Whatever you decide, choose wisely. And if you choose me, I’ll make sure you’re protected, informed, and confident every step of the way!