What should you look for in a Richmond real estate agent? Look for an active Virginia license, real experience in your neighborhoods and price range, quick and clear communication, and a specific plan for your situation. Interview 2 or 3 agents, ask the same questions, check references, and read the written agreement, including how the agent is paid, before you sign.
by Daniel Yoon | eXp Realty | Richmond, Virginia
Choosing an agent is one of the bigger decisions in a purchase or sale, and it’s usually made in a hurry. Here’s how to make it on purpose: what matters, what to ask, what to watch out for, and what Virginia law requires before anyone starts working for you.
What makes a good agent in Richmond
Local knowledge, block by block
Greater Richmond isn’t 1 market. The city and each county set their own tax rates, assessments, and school zones. For 2026, the real estate tax rate is $1.20 per $100 of assessed value in the City of Richmond, $0.83 in Henrico, $0.89 in Chesterfield, and $0.81 in Hanover. A good agent knows those differences, plus things like which streets sit in a flood zone, which older homes in the Fan or Church Hill tend to need system updates, and which newer subdivisions carry special assessments.
Clear, fast communication
Contracts run on deadlines. Your agent should answer quickly, tell you what’s coming next, and put important things in writing. If it’s hard to reach someone during the interview, it won’t get easier under contract.
Negotiation that goes past price
Price is only 1 term. Strong agents know how to use closing-cost credits, inspection repairs, appraisal language, and timing to get a better overall deal for you.
Relevant experience and a working network
Volume isn’t everything. What matters is recent experience with homes like yours, in places like yours, plus relationships with lenders, inspectors, contractors, and settlement agents who answer the phone.
Honesty when the news isn’t good
The best agents tell you when a house has a problem or a list price is too high, even when it’s not what you want to hear.
Questions to ask before you hire an agent
| Question | What a good answer sounds like |
|---|---|
| How long have you worked in the Richmond market, and where? | Specific neighborhoods and recent transactions, not a general claim |
| Which areas and price ranges do you work in most? | A clear match with where you want to buy or sell |
| How many clients are you working with right now? | Enough to stay sharp, and a plan for how you’ll get attention |
| What’s your plan for my situation? | A specific search, offer, or marketing plan for your timeline and budget |
| How do you handle multiple offers? | How they find out what the seller values, and how they keep you from overpaying |
| Can I talk with 2 or 3 recent clients? | Names offered without hesitation |
| How are you paid, and what does the agreement say? | A clear fee, the length of the agreement, and how to end it |
What Virginia requires before an agent works for you
- A written agreement. Virginia law requires a written brokerage agreement before an agent provides brokerage services. It must have a definite end date, or it ends 90 days after signing (Va. Code § 54.1-2137).
- Agreement before touring. Since August 17, 2024, many agents nationwide must have a written buyer agreement in place before touring a home with you, in person or virtually. Visiting an open house on your own doesn’t require one (NAR consumer guide).
- Negotiable pay. NAR’s guide says compensation between you and your agent is negotiable and not set by law, and it must be clearly stated in the agreement. Buyers can still ask the seller to pay their agent’s fee as part of the offer.
- Written consent for dual representation. An agent can’t represent both buyer and seller unless every party gives written consent after a written disclosure (Va. Code § 54.1-2139). Ask how a dual situation would be handled before it comes up.
You can confirm any agent’s license, and see whether it’s active, through the Virginia DPOR license lookup.
Red flags to watch for
| Red flag | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Slow or vague replies during the interview | Contract deadlines won’t wait |
| Pressure to offer or accept before you’re ready | Their timeline is replacing yours |
| A list price well above recent sales to win the listing | Overpriced homes sit, then sell after price cuts |
| No marketing plan beyond entering it in the MLS | Presentation and pricing drive showings |
| Can’t explain local taxes, schools, or flood zones | Those change your costs and resale |
| Steering you to their own listings without explaining dual representation | Your negotiating position may change |
| No reviews, references, or track record you can check | There’s no way to verify the claims |
Why a local agent matters in Richmond
Richmond’s housing stock runs from 1800s row homes in Jackson Ward to mid-century ranches in Bon Air to new construction in Short Pump and Chesterfield. Each one comes with its own questions: historic district rules and older wiring in the city, HOA documents and builder contracts in the suburbs, and well and septic on rural lots in Hanover. A local agent knows which inspector to call and which questions to ask before you’re under contract.
Neighborhood markets move differently, too. A neighborhood can see multiple offers while another a few miles away favors buyers. My Richmond market report breaks down each county every month.
How I work with clients
I’m a Certified New Home Co-Broker, an Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR), and a Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) with eXp Realty, working across Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, and the City of Richmond. I serve clients in English and Korean. You can read more on my About page. For buyers, I start with budget and neighborhoods, following the steps in my step-by-step buying guide. For sellers, I start with recent closed sales, a pricing plan, and how we’ll present the home. If you’re buying new construction, my guide to using a buyer’s agent with a builder explains how that works.
FAQ
There’s no standard rate. Compensation is negotiable and has to be spelled out in your written agreement. Sellers often pay their listing agent and may offer to pay the buyer’s agent. Buyers can ask the seller to cover their agent’s fee as part of an offer. Ask every agent you interview to explain their fee in writing.
Yes. Virginia requires a written brokerage agreement before an agent provides brokerage services, and since August 17, 2024, many agents must have one before touring a home with you. It must have a definite end date, or it ends after 90 days.
Every agent in Virginia must hold a license from DPOR. A REALTOR® is a licensed agent who’s also a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and agrees to follow its Code of Ethics. Membership doesn’t guarantee quality, but it adds an ethics standard you can hold them to.
Use the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation’s license lookup. Search by name to confirm the license is active.
It can help when the sale and purchase depend on each other, because 1 person manages both timelines. It works best when that agent knows both neighborhoods well. Don’t trade local expertise for convenience.
It depends on your agreement. Virginia agreements must include an end date and terms for ending them. Read the termination section before you sign, and ask the agent to explain it.
Yes, with written consent from every party after a written disclosure of what it means. Ask how your agent handles it before you tour their listings.
Let’s talk before you decide
Interview me alongside anyone else you’re considering. I’ll answer every question above, show you how I’d approach your purchase or sale, and put the terms in writing. Book a time at cal.com/danielyoon or call 804-896-2694.
General information, not legal advice. Agreement terms vary, so read yours before you sign.