Are All Realtors the Same?

No, all realtors are not the same. The difference shows up in three places most people never get to see: how an agent handles a hard transaction, the strategy they bring to pricing and negotiating, and how well they communicate when something goes wrong. When a deal goes smoothly, almost any agent looks fine. When it doesn't, the agent you picked is the whole story.

I'm Dennis Mark Interdonato with The Dennis Mark Group at Keller Williams Realty Ocean Living. The belief that every agent is interchangeable is why people hire a friend, someone they know, or the cheapest option, and it's the one idea I'd most like to change for buyers and sellers in Monmouth and Ocean County.

Why do people think all realtors are the same?

Because the public rarely sees what a strong agent does. You see the sign, the photos and the open house. You don't see the pricing plan, the negotiation over an inspection, the call that saves a closing, or the contractor who shows up the next morning because your agent made one phone call.

If nobody shows you the difference, there's no reason to believe it exists. So the decision comes down to who you know or who costs less. My answer is to show it: lead with service, educate first, and be transparent about exactly what I do.

Where does the difference between agents actually show up?

In hard transactions

Smooth deals don't test anyone. The test is the sale with a stubborn problem: a failed inspection item, a financing hiccup, a closing date that falls apart, or two sellers who won't speak to each other.

In strategy

Pricing, preparation and the launch plan decide what a home sells for. On the buying side, strategy decides whether your offer wins. That takes thinking, not a template. (More on pricing in why the first two weeks set the price.)

In communication

Clients describe working with me as "stress free," and one review says I "got back to us in 5 minutes or less." Communication is what turns a stressful sale into a calm one.

What does a hard transaction look like in real life?

A judge appointed me to list and sell a home in Monmouth County as part of a divorce. The two owners weren't allowed to talk to each other, and one side tried to stall the sale all the way to the town's final inspection.

We got it to the closing table within five months of the appointment. The judge and the family law attorneys on that case were strangers to me before it. Now they refer me business. Sometimes the wins don't come from the clients. They come from doing the right thing and getting it done, as appointed.

That's the kind of sale where experience matters most, and it's the kind you never see from the outside.

What does strategy look like in a real sale?

A couple in Beachwood was selling to upgrade their lifestyle. I brought them two game plans: sell as-is, or make a short list of updates first. The updates cost under $15,000, I picked the products and colors and supervised the work, and they came out $75,000 ahead of the as-is plan. The full story is in whether to update before selling.

A seller in Howell listed at the price I recommended and had an accepted offer within the first 7 days, after 6 offers came in over asking.

How can you tell the difference before you hire an agent?

1. Ask for the full service list in writing. Marketing, pricing, negotiation and communication. Compare them side by side. Here's how to compare agents on service, not fee.
2. Ask about their hardest deal. What went wrong, and what did they do about it? A real answer tells you a lot.
3. Ask how they'll price your home. Look for closed comparable sales, a walkthrough of the condition, and more than one plan.
4. Ask who's on their team. Contractors, inspectors, attorneys and lenders they trust. I got a guy for everything.
5. Read their reviews. Look for stories about problems solved, not only "they were nice." Mine are on the testimonials page.
6. Notice how they talk to you. Do they tell you what you need to hear, or only what you want to hear?

Is it a mistake to hire a friend as your realtor?

Not automatically. Knowing someone is a fine reason to interview them. It isn't a reason to skip the comparison. Put their service list next to everyone else's and ask the same questions. If they're the best fit, great. If they aren't, you'll be glad you looked before you signed.

What does this mean for buyers and sellers in Monmouth and Ocean County?

From Point Pleasant and Manasquan to Toms River and Brick, every town has its own mix of home styles, ages and buyers. An agent who knows construction and knows these towns can tell you what a home needs, what it's worth and how to market it. That's what "Local Insight, Local Living" means to me. I'm a Lifestyle Connector: the only door I want people thinking I open is the door to their next opportunity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all real estate agents the same?

No. The difference shows up in hard transactions, in pricing and negotiating strategy, and in communication, which most clients only see when something goes wrong.

How do I choose the right realtor?

Ask every agent for a written service list, ask about their hardest deal, ask how they'll price your home, and read their reviews for problems they solved.

Does it matter which agent I use if the house sells anyway?

Yes. The agent affects the price, the terms, how fast it sells and how much stress you go through. A home selling isn't the same as a home selling well.

Should I hire a friend or someone I know to sell my house?

Interview them, then compare them with other agents using the same questions. Pick the one whose service and experience fit your sale.

This is general information, not legal, tax or lending advice. Past results don't guarantee future results.

About the author

Dennis Mark Interdonato is a REALTOR® and Master CDRE® who leads The Dennis Mark Group at Keller Williams Realty Ocean Living in Point Pleasant, NJ, helping buyers and sellers throughout New Jersey make their next move, with Monmouth and Ocean County as home base. In 2025 he was the Number 1 agent at KW Ocean Living, and he's a member of the NJ REALTORS® Circle of Excellence for 2022 through 2025. Read more about Dennis Mark.

Keep reading

• The New Jersey selling guide
• The New Jersey buying guide
• See what your home could be worth
• Have a question this didn't answer? Send it to Dennis Mark.