How to Pick the Right Real Estate Agent in Jacksonville

How do you know which real estate agent is actually the right one to help you buy or sell a home in Jacksonville, St. Johns, or St. Augustine?

Short answer:
It’s not about who you see the most, who’s “number one,” or who has the flashiest social media. Choosing the right agent comes down to experience, honesty, market knowledge, negotiation skills, and whether they actually listen to what you need.

Let’s break down what really matters — and what absolutely doesn’t.

1. Don’t Choose Based on Popularity — Choose Based on Competence

Jacksonville is full of agents who look busy online… but aren’t necessarily busy in real life.

A great agent doesn’t need to:

• post every showing

• brag about being “slammed”

• talk about how many closings they might have

• do funny videos all day

• appear everywhere on TikTok

Social media presence does not equal skill.
Production does.
Experience does.
The ability to guide you through negotiations does.

✔ Helpful Tip

Don’t be afraid to ask:

• How many homes have you sold in the last year?

• How many were buyers vs. sellers?

• Which neighborhoods do you specialize in?

A confident, experienced agent will answer without hesitation.

2. Look for Local Market Knowledge — Jacksonville Is NOT Like the Rest of Florida

Northeast Florida has its own market behavior.
We’re different from Orlando, Miami, and Tampa.

A good Jacksonville-area agent should understand:

• how military relocation affects buyer activity

• how CDD fees work (huge topic in our market)

• how St. Johns and Duval trends differ

• how pricing shifts by neighborhood, not by city

• how the 2024 law changes affected negotiations here

• how our local inventory fluctuates seasonally

If your agent can’t explain what’s happening locally, that’s a problem.

3. Ask How They Handle Pricing Strategy

Whether you’re buying or selling, pricing is everything.

A great agent can:

• explain why the price is what it is

• show you how buyers will react

• adjust strategy based on real data

• prevent you from overpaying or overpricing

• help you win in multiple-offer scenarios

• protect your net when you’re selling

If their pricing explanation sounds like guesswork?
Move on.

4. Pay Attention to Communication Style

This one is deeply overlooked, but it matters more than almost anything else.

Ask yourself:

• Do they respond quickly?

• Do they explain clearly?

• Do you feel comfortable asking questions?

• Do they listen?

• Do they talk at you or with you?

You are about to spend weeks (or months) working with this person.
Good communication will save you stress, money, and frustration.

5. Evaluate Honesty Over Sales Pitch

This is where some agents struggle.

The right agent will tell you:

• when a home is overpriced

• when a house has issues

• when you’re making an emotional decision

• when a deal isn’t right for you

• when you’re pushing too far in negotiation

• when the timing isn’t great

If someone refuses to tell you “no,” they’re not protecting you.
They’re protecting the deal.

6. Make Sure They Understand the 2024 Rule Changes

Here’s the truth:

A LOT of agents still don’t understand the 2024 buyer-broker agreement requirements, commission changes, or how to write clean offers under the new rules.

If an agent says:

• “My services are free”

• “The seller always pays”

• “Nothing changed this year”

Run.

You need someone who understands:

• buyer agreements

• how commissions work now

• negotiation strategies that match the new rules

• how to protect you financially

• what sellers are actually doing in Jacksonville/St. Augustine

If they can’t explain this clearly, they’re not prepared.

7. Look at Their Results, Not Their Claims

A great agent doesn’t just get homes under contract.
They get them to the finish line.

Ask:

• What’s your average days on market?

• What’s your list-to-sold price ratio?

• How often do your contracts fall apart?

• How do you handle inspection issues?

• What’s your negotiation style?

This is what separates a “busy” agent from a skilled one.

Final Takeaway

Choosing the right real estate agent in Jacksonville isn’t about flash — it’s about fit, skill, honesty, and knowledge of our fast-changing Northeast Florida market.

The right agent will:

• protect your money

• guide you through complicated decisions

• understand local pricing

• communicate clearly

• negotiate aggressively

• and look out for your best interest
  …not their own.

Want the Right Agent for Jacksonville, St. Augustine, or St. Johns?

Let’s talk about your goals, your timeframe, and what matters most to you.

Call CrossView Realty at 904-503-0672 or email info@crossviewrealty.com.
Or fill out the Contact Us form — we’d love to earn your business with honesty and real expertise.