Remember when finding a real estate agent meant asking your neighbor who sold their house last year? Those days are gone, and honestly, good riddance.
The whole "local agent" thing has become one of those ideas that sounds right until you actually think about it. Sure, knowing where the good coffee shop is matters when you're showing a neighborhood. But in 2026, that's not what separates a great agent from an average one.
Here's what's really happening: Different generations are finding homes in completely different ways, and the idea that you need someone who's sold fifty houses on Maple Street doesn't hold up anymore.
How People Actually Search for Homes Now
Here's how HouseJet breaks down what's actually going on when different age groups start their home search.
Millennials are doing everything online first. They've already toured the house virtually, checked the school ratings, read reviews of the neighborhood restaurants, and mapped their commute before they ever contact an agent. They want someone who can move fast, communicate through text, and handle digital paperwork without treating it like some kind of sorcery. The agent's office location? Barely registers.
Generation X brings a different approach. They're research-oriented but value expertise. They've probably owned a home before, so they know the process. What they're looking for is someone who can navigate complications, negotiate effectively, and cut through nonsense. They appreciate local knowledge, but they're not impressed by an agent who uses "I've been selling here for twenty years" as a substitute for actually understanding their specific needs.
Baby Boomers might have more traditional expectations, but even they're adapting. Many are downsizing or relocating entirely, which means their longtime local agent might not be the right fit anymore. They want someone who understands their life stage, knows how to market their current home effectively, and can help them find the right next chapter—whether that's across town or across the country.
The Silent Generation often needs an agent who can provide more hands-on guidance through the process. But again, what matters isn't how many houses the agent sold in their ZIP code last year. It's whether the agent has the patience, communication skills, and attention to detail to make the process smooth and stress-free.
Notice the pattern? Nobody's primary concern is "how many 'For Sale' signs has this person planted in my neighborhood?"
The New Reality of Real Estate Expertise
Mike Oddo, CEO of HouseJet, puts it clearly: "The tools available to agents today have completely changed what it means to be an expert in a market. Any skilled agent can become thoroughly knowledgeable about any area through comprehensive MLS research, market analytics, and online resources. The 'local agent' concept is outdated. What matters now is whether an agent can solve a seller's or buyer's problems faster, easier, and more economically than anyone else—local or otherwise."
He's right. Think about what an agent actually needs to know:
Current market conditions? That's data-driven now. Comparable sales? MLS has that covered. Neighborhood trends? Online analytics provide more accurate information than any individual agent's anecdotal experience. School ratings, crime statistics, and future development plans? All publicly available online.
The idea that someone needs to live in a neighborhood to understand it made sense in 1986. In 2026, it's just not how information works anymore.
What buyers and sellers actually need is an agent who knows how to interpret all that data, apply it to their specific situation, and execute a strategy that gets results. That's a skill set, not a geographic credential.
What Actually Matters When Choosing an Agent
The number of homes an agent has sold in your specific neighborhood is a nearly meaningless metric. It might mean they're good at marketing themselves locally. It might mean they've been around a long time. It might mean absolutely nothing about whether they're the right fit for you.
Here's what you should actually be evaluating:
HouseJet's Guide to Choosing the Right Agent
Communication style and responsiveness – How quickly do they respond to your questions? Do they communicate the way you prefer (text, email, phone)? Are they explaining things clearly or hiding behind jargon? You're going to be working closely with this person during a stressful process. Make sure they're someone you actually want to communicate with.
Problem-solving approach – Ask them about a difficult transaction they handled. How do they deal with obstacles? Do they get creative or just throw their hands up? Real estate deals hit snags constantly. You want someone who finds solutions, not someone who creates drama.
Technology capabilities – Can they handle digital transactions? Do they use modern marketing tools? Are they comfortable with virtual tours and electronic signatures? You don't need someone on the absolute cutting edge, but you also don't want someone who treats email like a foreign language.
Market knowledge and research skills – How do they analyze comparable properties? What data sources do they use? Can they explain market trends in your price range? This is where actual expertise shows up, and it has nothing to do with their home address.
Negotiation track record – Ask for specific examples of how they've negotiated favorable terms for clients. Anyone can submit an offer. Not everyone can structure a deal that actually protects your interests and gets you the best outcome.
Professional network and resources – Who do they know? Inspectors, contractors, lenders, attorneys—a good agent has relationships with quality professionals. This matters way more than knowing which house on the block has the nosiest neighbor.
Marketing strategy (for sellers) – If you're selling, how will they market your property? Professional photography? Online presence? Social media strategy? The agent who sold the most houses on your street might be doing so with terrible marketing that leaves money on the table.
Understanding of your specific needs – Are they listening to what you actually want, or pushing you toward what's easiest for them? Do they understand your timeline, budget constraints, and must-haves versus nice-to-haves?
Transparency about fees and costs – Are they upfront about their commission and what it covers? Any hidden costs or surprise fees? How do they handle situations where their commission might conflict with your best interest?
References and track record – Talk to past clients, but ask specific questions. Don't just ask if they liked the agent. Ask if the transaction went smoothly, if there were any surprises, and whether they'd use them again.
The Bottom Line
The real estate industry has changed fundamentally. The agents who are succeeding now aren't the ones with the most sold signs in a particular neighborhood. They're the ones who have adapted to how people actually search for homes, who've developed real expertise instead of relying on "local knowledge" as a crutch, and who focus relentlessly on solving problems for their clients.
If an agent's main selling point is how long they've worked in your area or how many houses they've sold on your street, that should be a red flag, not a green light. Those things might be fine, but they're not what make someone good at their job.
What you need is someone who understands the current market, uses modern tools effectively, communicates well, and treats your transaction like it's the most important one they're handling—because to you, it is.
The local agent myth is dead. We can say: "We knew you when". Now you can focus on finding an agent who's actually excellent at what they do, regardless of where they happen to live.
