8 Obscure Compliments That’ll either Make Your Real Estate Agent Laugh or Beam With Pride (Or Maybe Both!)

Paying your favorite real estate agent any type of compliment can really brighten their day, but when you acknowledge something most other people never notice about them, they’ll remember it for years to come!

It’s one thing to say, “Nice shirt!” But it’s entirely next level to say, “You always look like you’ve put a lot of thought into how you present yourself.” Both are nice to hear, but the latter speaks to their character, and shows that you see what led to their choice in shirt on a deeper level.

While both of those flattering sentences would put a smile on the face of your favorite real estate agent, there are some observations you could share that’ll stop them in their tracks, and make you wonder if you somehow got inside their head!

Here are 8 obscure compliments that’ll either make your real estate agent laugh, or beam with pride… or maybe both:

1) “That is one of the most up-to-date headshots I’ve ever seen!”

Outdated headshots are an inside joke with real estate agents. All too often an agent will go through the effort of getting professional photos taken for their business card when they first get licensed, and then get as much mileage out of it as a 2002 Honda Accord that just keeps on keeping on — it might not be new, or look fresh off the lot, but it does what it needs to do.

So if your agent has a headshot that looks like it could’ve been taken in the past year or two, tell them you noticed! On one level they’ll be grateful that their efforts weren’t in vain, and they’ll also get a kick out of the fact that you even know how agents are notorious for outdated glamor shots.

2) “You don’t even look old enough to have been in the business 23 years!”

This gem can only be used at precise moments. If you’re working with an agent who’s been in the business a lot of years, at some point you may hear them use the exact number of years they’ve been in business to establish credibility and dominance over another agent. It usually happens when they’re arguing over how something is (or isn’t) supposed to be done in the business.

The agent on the receiving end of their comment will probably give them some grief for even bringing up how long they’ve been in the business, so it’s the perfect opportunity for you to gush about how they don’t even look old enough to have that much experience! Not only is it flattering to them, it may be what they need to hear in order to stop feeling like it’s an appropriate comment for them to whip out with newer, younger agents they deal with in the future.

3) “These are the best open house snacks ever!”

To feed, or not to feed, that is the question agents ask themselves when hosting an open house. But if they decide to provide refreshments, the next question is, “What should I serve?”

Some agents opt for the quickest, easiest, cheapest thing they can lay out on the kitchen island. You can’t really blame them, though, because there’s always a chance nobody’ll show up and they either end up having to eat way more carbs than they should, or toss it all in the garbage. So when an agent has snacks that stop you in your tracks, mention how much you like them. Not only will they appreciate hearing it, they may send you home with a plate or two of goodies.

4) “Will you sign your listing description for me?”

With so many agents dialing it in, or using AI to generate their listing descriptions, noticing your agent took the time to use their own words and craft them in a compelling way will go a long way.

Pro tip: Take it up a notch by printing out the listing sheet and asking the agent to sign it like an author at a book signing!

5) “You’re more accurate than a Zestimate!”

This one can be used with pretty much any agent who does a comparative market study (CMA) for you. It doesn’t matter if they’re a grizzled veteran, or they headed straight to your house after passing their licensing test, most agents can analyze the market value of a property way more accurately than an online algorithm.

Unfortunately, many people put way more stock in what a computer spits out than what an agent painstakingly analyzes, and will give agents grief about the Zestimate being higher than what the agent deems their house is worth.

Warning: Flattering an agent by saying you trust their insights over a Zestimate may cause them to faint, so make sure there’s something soft for them to fall onto before doing so.

6) “It’s amazing how you don’t even need GPS to find your way from one house to the next…”

GPS has made showing houses so much easier than it used to be. Agents used to have maps and atlases they’d use to perfectly plan their routes ahead of time, so they’d know where each house they were showing was located. Over time, agents got to know every street in every town they ever showed a house in like the back of their hand. But technology has softened many agents, and they’ve lost their need to know the lay of the land.

So if your agent seems like they could find any house, on any street, with their eyes closed, give them some props! It’s a small detail they likely take pride in.

7) “You’re so good at not letting the cat out of the house!”

Many houses that agents show to their clients have pets. When they schedule an appointment to show a house, they’re often told to make sure the cat or dog doesn’t get out of the house. They may not show their concern, but deep down inside it’s something they’re always worried about letting happen while showing someone’s home.

Most likely, if they’re showing you a home that has instructions about not letting the cat out, they tell you so you can join in the fun of making sure it doesn’t escape. So the perfect time to use this compliment is actually when they’re showing you a house where they don’t tell you to look out for a cat. On one hand, they’ll be flattered that you noticed how good they are at ensuring animals aren’t making a run for it. On the other hand, you’ll make them wonder if you know something they don’t, and they’ll start looking around for a cat that doesn’t exist.

8) “The real estate content you share online is hilarious!”

Many agents use social media to market and promote themselves. But only a select few use witty, humorous content! So if your favorite agent shares things that not only give you valuable real estate insights, but also some laughs, make sure to let them know in the comments… and of course, like, share and subscribe to their page so you see more of it!