Avoid costly mistakes and find the right expert with tips from Preferred Properties of Texas.

How to Choose a Great Real Estate Agent — with Preferred Properties of Texas

Buying or selling a home (or ranch, or farm, or commercial property) is one of the biggest financial decisions most people ever make. Choose the wrong real estate agent, and you risk delays, poor negotiation, or costly mistakes. But with the right professional by your side, the process can be smoother, safer, and more rewarding.

At Preferred Properties of Texas, we’ve built our reputation over more than 30 years by putting clients first, leaning on deep local expertise, and maintaining the highest ethical standards. Below, we share smart tips to help you pick a real estate agent who’s truly up to the task — and show how our team meets every one of them.

1. Do Your Homework (Don’t Rely Solely on Word of Mouth)

It’s tempting to pick a name a friend mentions, but the real estate landscape is too complex for blind trust alone. Instead:

• Search online: Look for recent sales, listings, and client reviews in your market area.
• Check the firm’s specialties: If you’re looking at rural, large acreage, or ranch properties, make sure your agent has experience there. Preferred Properties focuses on ranches, farms, land, residential, and commercial real estate. (preferredpropertiestx.com)
• Verify their presence—for example, Preferred Properties has been active in Erath County since 1993. (stephenvilletexas.org)

Doing this homework helps you avoid agents who oversell their expertise or work outside your property type or geography.

2. Interview Multiple Candidates

Before signing anything, talk with at least three agents. Use your phone call or meeting to ask direct, revealing questions. Some worth asking:

• “How many units/homes/farms have you sold in the past 6–12 months?”
• “How many active escrows are you currently managing?”
• “Do you have client references I can contact (recently)?”
• “What specific experience do you have with rural properties, ranches, or large acreage in my target counties?”
• “How will you market my property (or find me a property)? What’s your negotiation strategy?”

During these conversations, listen closely:

• If the agent is vague, evasive, or dismissive—that’s a red flag.
• If they don’t seem to know your target area well, or don’t ask good questions about your goals, be cautious.

One strong interview with Preferred Properties will show you how seriously we take this process: we’ll come ready with comparable sales, marketing plans, and tailored strategies for rural/acreage land.

3. Check Licensing and Disciplinary History

A valid, in-good-standing real estate license is non-negotiable. You’d be shocked how often people skip this step.

• Look up the agent’s license status via your state’s real estate commission (for Texas, that’s the Texas Real Estate Commission).
• See if there are any disciplinary actions, complaints, or sanctions.
• Confirm that the agent is associated with a reputable brokerage.

At Preferred Properties of Texas, we uphold full compliance and transparency in our licensing and operations. (You can always ask us for license numbers and proof.)

4. Talk to Past Clients

Client testimonials are more than marketing copy—they’re real insight. Before committing:

• Ask for references who had similar needs (e.g. ranch purchase, subdivision, acreage sale).
• Call them. Ask: How was communication? Did things stay on schedule? Did the agent advocate for you in negotiations? What surprises (good or bad) came up?
• Compare what they expected vs. what they actually got.

Here are real testimonials from our clients:

“Very easy to work with. A friend was looking to purchase a horse ranch and they loved the options that were available for land and large properties in and around Stephenville.” — Aaron Hawkins (preferredpropertiestx.com)
“Very satisfied with their services. Will recommend to anyone looking for an honest realtor to work with in Stephenville, Texas.” — Matthew Jennings (preferredpropertiestx.com)
“Preferred Properties are the best realtors in Stephenville. They go above and beyond to help their clients.” — Jamie Harding (preferredpropertiestx.com)

These show we deliver results—and more importantly, maintain relationships.

5. Test Their Local and Niche Market Knowledge

The best agent for you isn’t the one with broad but shallow knowledge—it’s the one who truly understands your specific area and property type. Here’s how to test that:

• Ask what recent sales or listings have closed in your target region or county.
• Ask for market trends: pricing, days-on-market, supply/demand balance.
• See if they know road access issues, utility availability, zoning, soil or water issues, and easements (especially for rural land).
• For ranches/farms: ask about water rights, fences, stock tanks, grazing patterns, mineral rights, access roads, and land improvements.

Preferred Properties of Texas is well-positioned: we serve Erath, Palo Pinto, Hood, Somervell, Bosque, Hamilton, Comanche, Eastland, Parker, and Tarrant Counties, among others. (You can always ask us about a specific county if you’re buying/selling there.)

6. Review Their Marketing & Communication Plan

A great agent isn’t just effective locally—they know how to reach buyers beyond your area and present your property in the best light. Ask:

• What digital platforms will you use (e.g., MLS syndication, social media, targeted ads)?
• Will you do professional photography, drone imaging, and video tours?
• How often will you update me and how (phone, email, in person)?
• How will you vet prospective buyers or showings?

We at Preferred Properties pride ourselves on personalized service: we tailor marketing plans, maintain strong client communication, and leverage 30+ years of industry relationships to give your property broad exposure.

Why Preferred Properties Stands Out

You may ask, “What makes your team different?” Here’s what we offer:

Decades of Local Commitment
We’ve been active in Erath County and surrounding areas since 1993. (stephenvilletexas.org) That longevity means we’ve seen markets rise and fall, and built relationships across communities.

Deep Experience with Rural & Specialized Properties
Many clients come to us for ranch, farm, acreage, or commercial property. We understand the unique challenges—fencing, water, access, taxes, utilities, soil, grazing, etc. Our marketing and negotiation strategies are sharpened by decades of transactions in these niches.

Strong Client Testimonials & Reputation
Our testimonials reflect consistency, trust, and going above and beyond. (preferredpropertiestx.com) We’ve been voted the #1 Real Estate Company in Erath County for nine consecutive years. (Realtor)

Qualified Leadership & Agents
For instance, Durlyn Stokes, a Broker/Owner with Preferred Properties, has 13 years of experience and a track record across residential, farm, ranch, and commercial real estate. (Zillow) She handles listings, purchases, and 1031 exchanges and has closed many transactions in multiple counties. (Zillow)

Ethical Standards & Client Protection
We adhere to licensure rules, disclosures, and professional conduct. We welcome clients to verify our credentials, investigate any complaints, and rely on our transparency from day one.

Sample Call to Action (and Contact Info)

Whether you’re buying a quiet farm in Hamilton County, selling acreage in Comanche, or scouting a home in Tarrant, we’d love to talk about your goals. Let’s start with a conversation — no pressure, just clarity.

📞 Call us: 254-965-7775
📧 Email: [your company’s email or contact page]
Let us show you the “Preferred Way” to buy or sell real estate in Texas.