The fastest mile covered by a human runner is 3 minutes and 43 seconds. In any neighborhood in America, you can see a runner covering that same distance at a more sedate 9 or 10 minutes per mile. Are both runners? Of course! But one has more training, skill, and commitment than the other. While both can do the task at hand, one is better equipped for the job. This seems obvious, yet, for some reason, people believe all real estate agents are exactly the same, even though their skill levels vary as much as the runners mentioned above.

Recent changes in the real estate world have made navigating a transaction more complicated and complex. Agents are spending hours each week learning new forms, processes, and procedures to ensure their clients' needs are met and that no one gets sued. Even the most seasoned and experienced agents have struggled to adjust in the short time since these changes have taken effect.

While these changes are happening, some agents are still just making it up as they go—loping along through their real estate careers—while others study and learn to offer the best service possible for their clients.

A Realtor.com economist recently reported that 74% of licensed agents in the U.S. did not close a single transaction last year! Yet the idea that all agents have the same skill set persists among the general public.

What has fueled this image problem for professional agents? Social media portrays agents as shuffling from one meeting to the next, posing along the way for a new headshot before waltzing into a closing with a giant plastic key for the photo op. What is rarely shown is the learning, studying, planning, and strategizing that successful professional agents do daily. The toughest challenge can sometimes be guiding a part-time, unprepared agent through the process— essentially doing their job for them just to keep the deal on track.

Another reason for the skewed perception that all agents are the same is the abundance of awards. There are awards for everything in real estate. The saying "Everyone gets a trophy" probably originated in real estate. Recently, inboxes have been flooded with emails from agents asking, "Please vote for us in the (award of the day) contest!" Nothing showcases a deserving award quite like having to beg for it. When everyone gets a trophy, then trophies lose their value.

There are no awards for agents who complete transactions without mistakes, agents whose clients are over the moon with the service they’ve received, or agents who ensure a smooth and successful transaction. What about an award for valuing a client's time or for the agent who anticipates a client's needs even before the client realizes they have one?

While awards for competency and professionalism should exist, the reality is they don’t. However, you can still hire the best agent for the job by asking around, getting recommendations, learning why an agent is successful, and then simply hiring the best person for the job.

Steve Mallett is Broker Associate for Mallett Integrity Team - Keller Williams.