How to choose a real estate agent in Kansas City: 7 steps
- Pick the town first. The Kansas City area spans multiple counties and dozens of cities. An agent who knows Liberty may not know Lee's Summit. Start with where you want to live, then find someone who knows it.
- Interview two or three agents. Use the questions below and compare the answers side by side.
- Ask for recent comparable sales. A good agent can pull them on the spot and explain why they matter.
- Verify the license. Look up any agent on the Missouri Real Estate Commission site.
- Read real reviews. Google reviews from named clients are harder to fake than testimonials on an agent's own site.
- Get the fee and agreement in writing. Since August 17, 2024, buyers sign a written agreement before touring. Read it, and ask how to cancel it.
- Pick the person you'll actually work with. On a team, ask who shows homes and negotiates. With a solo agent, it's the same person throughout.
Find an agent guide for your town
Each page below has a checklist, local market data with sources, and questions to ask any agent there.
Red flags when hiring an agent
- Claims to be "the best" or "#1" with no source you can check.
- Quotes a high home value to win your listing, without showing comparable sales.
- Pushes you to sign an agreement before explaining what it says.
- Hard to reach, or hands you off to someone else after you sign.
- Tells you who lives in a neighborhood or which area is "right for people like you." That's not their call, and it can violate fair housing law.
Questions to ask any Kansas City real estate agent
- How many buyers or sellers have you personally represented in the last 12 months, and in which towns?
- Will I work with you directly the whole way, or with a team member or assistant?
- How and when will you update me, and how fast do you usually reply?
- Can you show me the recent sales you'd use to judge a fair price?
- What's your fee, how is it paid, and what does the buyer or listing agreement commit me to?
- Can I cancel the agreement if it's not working, and how?
- What's your license number, and where can I read your reviews?
Where I fit
I'm Danny Stansbury, a solo agent focused on first-time home buyers, based around Excelsior Springs and Clay County. I grew up in Kearney.
I work on your schedule, not the other way around, and you work with me from the first call to closing. Read my success stories and reviews, and interview me alongside anyone else.
Fair housing note: I describe homes, prices, amenities, and drive times. I don't describe who lives in an area or steer anyone toward or away from a neighborhood.
Sources: market figures from TownRatings' compilation of Redfin Data Center MLS sales, October 2025 to September 2026 (linked on each city page); NAR settlement FAQs.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the best real estate agent in Kansas City?
There's no official ranking. Online "best agent" lists are often paid or based on sales volume. The best agent for you knows your specific town, shows you real sales data, is easy to reach, puts fees in writing, and can be verified with a Missouri license lookup and real reviews.
How much does a real estate agent cost in Missouri?
There is no set rate. Agent commissions in Missouri are negotiable and aren't fixed by law or by any association.
Sellers usually pay their listing agent and may offer to pay toward the buyer's agent. Since August 17, 2024, buyers sign a written agreement with their agent before touring homes. It states how the agent will be paid.
Ask any agent to put their fee in writing up front. Missouri also has no real estate transfer tax.
Should I use a solo agent or a team?
Either can work. With a team, ask who will actually show homes and negotiate. With a solo agent, you work with the same person the whole way. The key is knowing exactly who is responsible for what.
How do I check a Missouri real estate agent's license?
Use the Missouri Real Estate Commission's licensee search, linked from the Missouri Division of Professional Registration's real estate page.
Do I need a different agent for each Kansas City suburb?
Not necessarily, but your agent should know the specific town well or be honest about doing extra research there.
Do I have to sign an agreement with a buyer's agent?
Yes. Since August 17, 2024, under NAR's settlement rules, buyers working with a REALTOR® sign a written agreement before touring homes. It should state how the agent is paid.
Want to interview me?
Bring the questions on this page. I'll answer every one.