How to Choose a Realtor in Marin

The questions I’d want you to ask me, and every other agent you talk to

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Last updated September 2026 · By Melissa DiVita, REALTOR®, Compass · DRE #01387955 · Marin native, in real estate since 2003

The short version

  • Most people hire the first agent they talk to. NAR’s 2025 survey found that 80% of sellers and roughly three-quarters of buyers contacted only one agent. A 20-minute conversation with two or three agents is worth your time.
  • In Marin, local depth matters more than almost anything. Micro-markets change street by street, and flood, fire, septic and dock issues can make or break a deal.
  • Ask for specifics: recent sales near you, a sample marketing plan, how they price, and who is actually on their team.
  • Since August 2024, buyers sign a written agreement before touring homes, and every fee is negotiable. Read it and ask questions.

Why choosing well matters more in Marin

Marin isn’t one market. It’s more than twenty small ones. A Belvedere Lagoon home, a Mill Valley canyon house and a Novato ranch house can sit in the same price range and have almost nothing in common. Pricing depends on which side of a street gets afternoon sun, whether a dock can float at low tide, which school a block feeds and whether the house can be insured. I’ve been doing this since 2003, and I grew up here, and I still walk streets before I price a home on them. Whoever you hire should know your town at that level.

15 questions to ask any Marin agent

Local knowledge

  1. Which Marin towns do you work in most, and how long have you worked there? Look for depth in your specific area, not “all of the Bay Area.”
  2. What have homes like mine sold for nearby in the last six months, and why? A good agent explains the differences between the comps, not just the prices.
  3. What should I know about this neighborhood that isn’t in the listing? Think flood zones, fire risk, road access, school boundaries, noise and wind.
  4. Which school district and high school does this address feed? In Marin, your address decides your public schools. See my high school guide.

If you’re selling

  1. How would you price my home, and what’s your strategy if we don’t get offers in the first two weeks?
  2. What would you do to the house before listing, and what would it cost? Ask who does the work and how they choose contractors. Here’s how I approach preparation.
  3. Show me a marketing plan from a recent listing. Photography, video, drone, print and online. What will actually happen, and when?
  4. How will you reach buyers who aren’t in Marin yet? Many of our buyers come from San Francisco and the Peninsula.

If you’re buying

  1. How do you find homes before they hit the MLS? In small Marin towns, some homes trade quietly.
  2. How do you write a winning offer without overpaying? Ask how they read the listing agent and the competition.
  3. What will you look for at inspection that I might miss? In Marin: drainage, retaining walls, foundations, septic, docks and insurability.

Working together

  1. Who will I actually work with day to day? You or a team member?
  2. How and how often will you update me? Calls, texts, email.
  3. What does your buyer or listing agreement say, and what is your fee? Fees are negotiable and not set by law. See my guide to realtor fees in California.
  4. Can I talk to a few past clients? And read their reviews on Google and Zillow.

Red flags

  • An agent who “prices high to see what happens.” In Marin, homes that sit get discounted.
  • No clear answers about flood, fire or insurance.
  • Pressure to sign a long agreement before you’ve had a real conversation.
  • Vague marketing: “we’ll put it on the MLS and do an open house.”
  • They can’t name recent sales in your neighborhood.

What I bring

I’m a fourth-generation Marin native, raised in Belvedere, and I’ve been in real estate since 2003, starting at Hill & Co. in San Francisco. I’m with Compass today, and I focus on Tiburon, Belvedere and southern Marin. The thing clients tell me they value most is preparation: I’ve remodeled many homes, and my team of trusted contractors, designers and stagers helps sellers make the updates that actually move the price. I’d be glad to answer every question on this list. More about me.

Frequently asked questions

How many real estate agents should I interview?

Two or three is ideal. According to NAR’s 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 80% of sellers contacted only one agent, but a short conversation with a few agents helps you compare pricing, marketing and local knowledge.

Should I choose an agent who specializes in my town?

In Marin, yes. Prices, schools, insurance and permitting vary street by street, so an agent who works your town regularly will price and negotiate more accurately.

Do I have to sign an agreement with a buyer’s agent?

Since August 17, 2024, buyers working with a REALTOR® sign a written agreement before touring a home. It must state the compensation clearly, and all fees are negotiable.

Where can I read reviews of Marin realtors?

Google and Zillow are the most common. Also ask agents for references from recent clients in your town.

Sources

Ask me anything on this list

Send me a note through my contact form. No pressure and no agreement needed to talk.

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