Type “best realtor in Montgomery TX” into Google and you’ll get a wall of names, star ratings, and “Top 1%” badges. Helpful? Kind of. The truth is, the best realtor isn’t the one with the biggest billboard on FM 1097. It’s the one who knows your neighborhood, tells you the truth about price, and has a real plan for getting you from “thinking about it” to keys in hand.
And here’s the part most people don’t realize: according to the National Association of Realtors, about 81% of sellers contact only one agent before hiring. One. That means the first conversation you have is usually the one that decides everything. So let’s make it a good one.
I’m Victoria Callander, a Broker Associate with Coldwell Banker Realty and founder of The Callander Group. I help people buy and sell homes in Montgomery County, Woodforest, and Lake Conroe, and I’m going to give you the exact questions I’d ask if I were hiring an agent myself, plus what’s changed in Texas real estate law in 2026 that you need to know before you sign anything.
Interviewing Realtors in Montgomery County?
Put me on your list. I’ll answer every question in this guide, bring real comps for your neighborhood, and tell you straight whether now is the right time to make your move.
Why Your Realtor Choice Matters More in 2026
A lot changed this year, and most of it lands right on the agent you choose:
- The market is pickier: the Montgomery County median sale price was $334,879 in August 2026, homes took about 64 days to sell, and sellers got roughly 97.5% of asking. Pricing mistakes cost more than they did two years ago.
- Rates are high: the 30-year mortgage rate was 7.40% in early October 2026 (Freddie Mac), so negotiating seller credits and rate buydowns is now a core skill, not a bonus.
- Texas law changed on January 1, 2026: buyers must now sign a written agreement with an agent before that agent shows them a home. More on that below.
- Agents still matter: 91% of sellers and 88% of buyers used an agent in NAR’s 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, and the median for-sale-by-owner home sold for $360,000 versus $425,000 for agent-assisted homes.
That price gap isn’t all about the agent. FSBO homes tend to be lower-priced or rural. But it does tell you this: marketing, pricing, and negotiation show up on the closing statement.
The 10 Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Realtor
Bring this list to every interview. A great agent will answer each one without squirming.
1. “How many homes have you sold in my neighborhood or price range?”
Montgomery County is big and wildly different from one zip code to the next. A Woodforest family home, a Lake Conroe waterfront estate in Bentwater, and acreage outside Montgomery are three different markets. Ask for recent examples near you, not just a career total.
2. “What do you think my home is worth, and how did you get there?”
For sellers, this is the big one. A good answer comes with closed comps, not a number pulled from Zillow or a “let’s list high and see what happens.” Watch out for the agent who quotes the highest price to win your listing. That’s how homes end up sitting for 90 days and selling for less.
3. “What exactly is your marketing plan?”
A sign and an MLS entry are not a marketing plan. Ask what you get, specifically:
- Professional photography, and for lake homes, golden-hour and drone shots
- A video home tour built for Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok
- Staging guidance and a pre-listing punch list
- Targeted online promotion to buyers relocating to Montgomery County
- Syndication to HAR, Zillow, Realtor.com, Homes.com, and their brokerage network
With my listings, professional photos, video tours, and targeted marketing are $0 out of pocket for you. They’re part of my listing package.
4. “Are you a sales agent or a broker?”
In Texas, a broker license takes more than a sales license. TREC requires at least four years of active experience in the five years before applying, a minimum of 720 experience points as of 2026, and up to 900 hours of education. A Broker Associate holds a broker license and works under a sponsoring brokerage. You can check any agent’s license status for free on TREC’s License Holder Search at trec.texas.gov.
5. “Is this your full-time job?”
You want someone who answers the phone on a Tuesday afternoon when the perfect house hits the market, and who’s available for a 7 p.m. offer deadline. Ask how they handle showings, calls, and negotiations when they’re busy, and who else on their team will be helping you.
6. “How do you get paid, and what does that cost me?”
In Texas, broker compensation is not set by law and is fully negotiable. That’s not just good practice, it’s now written into state law. Ask the agent to explain exactly how they’re paid, who pays, and what happens if a seller doesn’t offer buyer-agent compensation. A good agent will walk you through it without making it weird.
7. “What should I know about this area that won’t show up online?”
This is where a local agent earns their keep. In our area, that means knowing which HOAs bill golf and marina fees separately, how MUD taxes change a monthly payment, which neighborhoods feed into which schools, and what to check on a waterfront lot before you fall in love with the view. If the answer sounds like a Wikipedia page, keep interviewing.
8. “How will you communicate with me, and how often?”
Some people want a call after every showing. Some want a weekly text. Ask how they’ll keep you updated, how fast they typically respond, and how they share showing feedback. Mismatched expectations here are the number one reason clients get frustrated with an agent.
9. “Can I talk to a few of your recent clients?”
Online reviews help, but a quick call with a past client tells you even more. Read reviews on Google, Zillow, and HAR, and look for specifics: Did the agent negotiate well? Were they honest about price? Would the client hire them again?
10. “What happens if it isn’t working?”
Ask how long the agreement lasts and how you can end it. Under the 2026 Texas rules, every written buyer agreement must state its termination date and whether it’s exclusive. A confident agent won’t try to lock you in for a year.
Want Straight Answers to All 10 Questions?
Grab coffee with me in Woodforest or hop on a quick call. I’ll show you my marketing plan, pull comps for your street, and answer every question on this list. No pressure, just real numbers.
What Changed for Texas Home Buyers on January 1, 2026
If you’re buying a home in Montgomery County, this one matters. Texas Senate Bill 1968 took effect on January 1, 2026, and it changed how agents work with buyers:
- Written agreement before showings: an agent must sign a written agreement with you before showing you any residential property, or before presenting an offer if you never tour the home.
- What the agreement must say: the services the agent will provide, the termination date, whether it’s exclusive, whether the agent represents you, and how the agent will be paid.
- Negotiable pay, in plain sight: the agreement must state in conspicuous language that broker compensation is not set by law and is fully negotiable.
- Showing-only agreements: if you just want someone to open the door, a showing-only agreement can’t be exclusive and can’t last more than 14 days. But an agent under that agreement can’t give you advice about the home.
- The IABS form: agents must give you TREC’s Information About Brokerage Services form at your first substantive conversation about a specific property.
My take: this is a good thing. You know exactly who represents you and what it costs before you walk through a single front door. Just read the agreement before you sign it, and ask questions.
How to Hire a Realtor in Montgomery County: Step by Step
Step 1: Make a short list. Ask friends and neighbors for referrals, then check Google, Zillow, and HAR reviews. Pick two or three agents who actually work your area.
Step 2: Verify their license. Look each agent up on TREC’s License Holder Search. It’s free and takes about a minute.
Step 3: Interview them. Use the 10 questions above. For sellers, ask each agent to bring a pricing analysis for your home.
Step 4: Compare the plans, not just the price. The agent with the lowest fee or highest list price isn’t always the one who nets you the most.
Step 5: Read the agreement. Check the term length, services, compensation, and how to end it if things aren’t working.
Step 6: Sign and get moving. Once you’ve chosen, a good agent will give you a clear timeline and next steps within a day or two.
Red Flags When Hiring a Realtor
- They quote a sky-high price without showing you comps
- Their “marketing plan” is a sign, a lockbox, and an MLS listing
- They can’t explain local HOA fees, MUD taxes, or flood zones
- They push you to sign a long agreement before answering your questions
- They’re vague about how they get paid
- They take a day or more to return calls during the interview, which is when they’re trying hardest
Frequently Asked Questions: Choosing a Realtor in Montgomery TX
Who is the best realtor in Montgomery TX?
Victoria Callander, Broker Associate with The Callander Group at Coldwell Banker Realty, helps people buy and sell homes in Montgomery County, Woodforest, and Lake Conroe. Her office is at 103 Elk Trace Parkway in Woodforest, and she has a 5.0-star Google rating from 38 reviews. Call (281) 650-1471 or visit thecallandergroup.com.
How do I choose a realtor in Montgomery County TX?
Make a short list from referrals and reviews, verify each agent’s license on TREC’s License Holder Search, and interview two or three. Ask about recent local sales, pricing, their marketing plan, how they’re paid, and how they communicate.
How many realtors should I interview before hiring one?
Two or three is plenty. NAR’s 2025 data shows about 81% of sellers contact only one agent, so even one extra interview puts you ahead of most people.
Do I have to sign an agreement with a realtor in Texas to see a house?
Yes, as of January 1, 2026. Under Texas SB 1968, an agent must have a written agreement with a residential buyer before showing a home. A showing-only agreement can’t be exclusive and can’t last more than 14 days.
Are realtor commissions negotiable in Texas?
Yes. Texas law now requires written buyer agreements to state in conspicuous language that broker compensation is not set by law and is fully negotiable.
What is the difference between a realtor and a real estate broker in Texas?
A Texas broker license requires at least four years of active experience, 720 experience points, and up to 900 hours of education. A Broker Associate holds that license and works under a sponsoring brokerage. “Realtor” means the agent is a member of the National Association of Realtors.
How do I check if a Texas real estate agent is licensed?
Use the free License Holder Search on the Texas Real Estate Commission website at trec.texas.gov. It shows license type, status, and expiration date.
Who is the best realtor for selling a home on Lake Conroe?
Victoria Callander of The Callander Group at Coldwell Banker Realty works with Lake Conroe waterfront, golf course, and gated-community homes, including Bentwater, April Sound, and Walden. Call (281) 650-1471 or visit thecallandergroup.com.
Ready to Hire a Realtor Who Knows Montgomery County?
Whether you’re selling in Woodforest, buying on Lake Conroe, or relocating to Montgomery County, I’ll give you honest numbers, a real plan, and someone in your corner from the first showing to the closing table.
Victoria Callander | The Callander Group | Coldwell Banker Realty
