Search “best realtor in Alpharetta” and you’ll get a wall of ads and directories — all paid placements, none of it proof. Here’s a better way: interview agents like you’d interview anyone you’re about to trust with your largest asset. These seven questions separate great from average fast.
1. How recent are your reviews?
Anyone can have a handful of old five-stars. Look for volume and recency — steady reviews from the last year mean the agent is actively closing and clients are happy enough to say so publicly. Read a few; patterns don’t lie.
2. Who actually shows up for me?
On big teams, the name on the sign isn’t always the person at your showings. Solo agents can get stretched thin. Ask directly: who answers my calls, attends my inspections, negotiates my contract? (My answer: The Legacy Team puts two Realtors on every transaction — you get both of us.)
3. What does your listing marketing actually include?
Ask for a recent listing and look at it. Phone photos tell you everything. Professional photography, video, 3D tours, and drone coverage should be standard on every listing — not a premium upsell for the million-dollar homes.
4. Do you know my micro-market?
Alpharetta and Milton aren’t one market. A gated golf community off Freemanville, a swim/tennis neighborhood near Webb Bridge, and a downtown Alpharetta townhome shop completely differently. Ask about your specific neighborhood and listen for specifics back.
5. Can you evaluate condition, not just price?
Pretty staging hides expensive problems. An agent who understands renovation — what a repair really costs, which flaws are cosmetic and which are red flags — protects you twice: once when you offer, again at inspection. I grew up with contractor parents who flipped homes; I’ve seen what’s behind the drywall.
6. How will we communicate?
Ask how fast they typically respond and how they prefer to work — then test it. How an agent treats your first three messages is how they’ll treat your transaction.
7. What happens when the negotiation gets hard?
Ask for a story: a deal that nearly fell apart and how they saved it — or honestly walked their client away. You want straight talk and data-backed pricing, not a cheerleader.
How to verify all of it
Read their Google reviews. Click through their recent listings and judge the marketing with your own eyes. Then have a conversation and run this list.
Ready to interview me? Book a free consultation — bring all seven questions. I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.