By Ryan Brown, REALTOR® · RE/MAX Premier Properties · Updated October 2, 2026 · 4 min readHow to choose the right realtor in Louisville
Interview two or three agents. Here are the questions that actually separate them:
- “What have you sold near here in the last year?” Knowing the neighborhood beats a big sales total.
- “How did you come up with that price?” A good agent shows you real comparable sales and explains them. Watch out for agents who just quote the highest number to win your listing.
- “What exactly is included for the fee?” Photos, marketing, showings, negotiation, and managing the deal to closing.
- “How and when will you communicate with me?”
- “Can I end the agreement if I’m not happy?”
Red flags
- Pressure to sign right away
- Vague answers about fees
- Slow replies before you’ve even signed
Also read client reviews on Zillow. They show you how an agent handles problems, not just easy deals.
What makes me different
I spent four and a half years in the Marine Corps infantry, including three deployments. After that I used the GI Bill to attend the University of Louisville. I got my start in real estate rehabbing a $10,000 two-bedroom house. That turned into more than $20 million in acquisitions and hundreds of units closed, and it’s why I look at every deal by the numbers first.
What that means for you
- Pricing based on data: real closed sales and live MLS numbers, like the ones on every neighborhood price page.
- Straight talk about repairs, offers, and whether a deal makes sense.
- Investor-level analysis, even if you’re buying your first home.
- Veteran-to-veteran help with VA loans.
More about my background.
Do buyers pay to work with me?
In most purchases, buyers don’t pay me out of pocket. My pay usually comes from the seller, either because they offer it or because we ask for it in your offer.
How it works
- Before we tour homes, we sign a short written buyer agreement (required under the national rule changes that took effect in August 2024). It says what I’m paid and how.
- When we make an offer, we ask the seller to cover it, if they haven’t already offered to.
- If there’s ever a gap, we talk about it before you write the offer, never at the closing table.
The full explanation is in how buyer agent pay works.
Do I help both buyers and sellers?
Yes. Most of my work is helping people buy and sell homes in Louisville and the surrounding counties.
For buyers
- A lender intro and budget before we tour
- A saved search for new listings and price cuts (see saved searches)
- Showings, usually within a day or two
- Offers based on comparable sales, then inspection and appraisal negotiation through closing
Start with the buyer’s guide.
For sellers
- A free value range and prep walk-through
- Pricing strategy, professional photos, and marketing
- Offer comparison with a net sheet, then negotiation through closing
Start with the seller’s guide.
Buying and selling at the same time
I can handle both sides of your move and line up the timing. See sell first or buy first?
First-time buyers and investors: yes, both
I work with residential buyers and sellers, plus investors working on long-term rentals, mid-term furnished rentals, short-term rentals, BRRRR, flips, and commercial deals. I’ve personally done deals in each of these, and I run Beechmont Equities, a multifamily investment company.
First-time buyers benefit from that too. I look at your home the way an investor would: condition, resale, and the real cost of owning it. See the investor guide.
What areas do I cover?
All of Louisville and Jefferson County, plus Oldham and Bullitt counties. That includes:
- Urban core: the Highlands, Germantown, Schnitzelburg, Clifton, Crescent Hill, NuLu, Old Louisville
- East End: St. Matthews, Indian Hills, Middletown, Anchorage, Prospect, Norton Commons, Jeffersontown
- South and southwest: Beechmont, Shively, Pleasure Ridge Park, Valley Station, Fern Creek
- Surrounding counties: Oldham County (La Grange, Crestwood, Goshen) and Bullitt County (Shepherdsville, Mount Washington, Hillview)
Compare all of them in the neighborhood guide and the price guide.
How quickly I respond
- Text (502) 889-0122: the fastest way. I usually reply the same day, often within a few hours during business hours.
- Email or the contact form: within one business day.
- Active clients (under contract or about to be): I prioritize your deadlines.
If you want an agent who picks up on the first try, keep in mind that I may be in a showing or a negotiation. Text me and I’ll get back to you quickly.
Getting market updates and saved searches
- Market Pulse: a new data-driven edition on the market updates page every few days. Each one rotates between pricing, market speed, and inventory, and spotlights a neighborhood.
- Saved searches: text me your area and price range, and I’ll set up automatic emails for new listings and price cuts.
- A custom neighborhood report: ask me for one on your area anytime.
Just The Tip Tuesday: my weekly tips
Every week I post a short Just The Tip Tuesday video on Facebook and YouTube about a real situation from my deals: negotiating, contract details, appraisals, investor tax strategy, and more. Each video has a companion post on the blog that goes deeper. A few to start with:
This guide is general information, not legal, tax, or lending advice. Rules, programs, and market numbers change, so confirm the details for your situation with the right professional.