Maybe a friend gave you a name. Maybe you saw a sign in a yard on your way through Selinsgrove. Maybe an agent messaged you and you want to know if they’re legit before you write back.
Whatever brought you here… good. You’d check the reviews on a $40 air fryer. Check the person handling your biggest asset.
Here’s exactly how to look someone up by name, for free, in about five minutes.
Quick answer: To search for a real estate agent by name in Pennsylvania, use the Department of State’s PALS license search to confirm their license and status, the NAR REALTOR® directory to confirm REALTOR® membership, their brokerage’s website to confirm who they work for, and Google, Zillow, and Realtor.com to read reviews and recent sales.
Why it’s worth five minutes
An agent will see your finances, your timeline, sometimes your whole life story. A quick lookup confirms they’re licensed, that their license is active, who their employing broker is, and how past clients felt. It also catches the rare impostor or out-of-state “agent” who isn’t licensed in PA at all.
5 free ways to search for an agent by name
1. PALS: confirm the license
Go to pals.pa.gov, open the license search, and enter their first and last name (pick the State Real Estate Commission if it asks for a board). You’ll see:
- License type (salesperson, associate broker, broker)
- License number
- Status (active, inactive, expired)
- Expiration date
- Any public disciplinary actions
If you only do one thing on this list, do this one. The State Real Estate Commission oversees every one of those licenses.
2. NAR directory: confirm REALTOR® membership
Search the NAR REALTOR® directory by name. If they’re listed, they’ve agreed to the REALTOR® Code of Ethics. Locally, most REALTORS® in our area belong to the Central Susquehanna Valley Board of REALTORS®.
3. Their brokerage website: confirm who they work for
Every Pennsylvania agent works under an employing broker, and that broker’s name should be on their ads. Check that the brokerage lists them as a current agent. For example, you’ll find agents listed on sites like Bowen Agency Realtors, Coldwell Banker Penn One, and CENTURY 21 Mertz & Associates.
4. Google: reviews, photos, and activity
Search their full name plus their town (“Stephanie Smego Selinsgrove,” for example lol). Look at their Google Business Profile, reviews, photos, and whether they’ve posted recently. An agent who’s actively working usually leaves a trail.
5. Zillow and Realtor.com: sales history
Realtor.com and Zillow show agent profiles with recent sales and reviews. Useful for a quick read on what price points and towns they actually work.
What to look for once you find them
- Active license that matches the name and brokerage they gave you
- Reviews that mention specifics, not just stars
- Recent work in your area, like Snyder, Union, or Northumberland County
- Consistent info across their website, social media, and brokerage
- A real person behind it: social posts, a face, a voice
What nobody tells you
The license check is the floor, not the ceiling. A clean license means they met the state’s minimum. It doesn’t tell you whether they’ll fight for you, return your calls, or know the difference between pricing a home in Lewisburg and pricing one in Middleburg.
That part you only learn by talking to them. So look them up… then ask them a real question and see how they answer.
Red flags when you search an agent’s name
- No PALS record. Don’t proceed.
- License expired or inactive. They can’t represent you right now.
- No brokerage named anywhere. Pennsylvania requires the broker’s name on advertising.
- A name that doesn’t match what they told you.
- Pressure to wire money or skip normal steps. Wire fraud is real. Always verify wiring instructions by phone with your title company, using a number you looked up yourself.
Go ahead, look me up
I’m Stephanie Smego, a REALTOR® with Iron Valley Real Estate Mid Penn in Selinsgrove, PA license RS377690. Search me on PALS. Google me. Read my reviews. I’d honestly love it if you did.
You’ll find me at stephaniesmegorealtor.com, on my Iron Valley site, and on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X. I mostly work with people moving up, relocating into or out of central PA, or buying a second property in the Susquehanna Valley.
Don’t have a name yet? Start with my list of local REALTORS® and where to find them.
Quick FAQ
Can I look up a real estate agent’s license for free in PA?
Yes. PALS is free and public.
How do I know if an agent is a REALTOR®?
Search the NAR directory or ask which local board they belong to. Here, that’s usually the Central Susquehanna Valley Board of REALTORS®.
What if I can’t find an agent’s license?
Try spelling variations or a previous last name. If they still don’t show up, ask them for their license number and search that.
Your turn…
Have you ever looked an agent up before working with them, or is this your first time thinking about it? Send me a message and tell me. No wrong answer here.
Follow along: Instagram @stephaniesmegorealtor · Facebook · LinkedIn · X · Search homes on my Iron Valley site · More from the blog
Stephanie Smego, REALTOR® · (570) 405-8371 · Iron Valley Real Estate Mid Penn · (570) 884-8624 · 1018 N Susquehanna Trail, Selinsgrove, PA 17870 · PA License RS377690. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Equal Housing Opportunity.
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