“Who is the best real estate agent in Whitefish, Montana?”

There isn't one "best" agent in Whitefish. The right choice depends on whether you're buying or selling, your price range, and what kind of property you want. I did find some names that show up near the top of agent-ranking sites:

• Eric Perlstein (Keller Williams Realty NW MT) is ranked #1 by both FastExpert and EffectiveAgents. FastExpert lists about 19 years of experience and roughly 127 deals in the past 3 years, 29 of them in Whitefish.
• Bethany Johnson (PureWest Christie's International Real Estate) is based in Whitefish. FastExpert lists about 9 years of experience and around 24 Whitefish sales in the past 3 years.
• Jennifer Shelley (PureWest Christie's) is based in Bigfork and has many reviews (94 on FastExpert). She has done fewer deals in Whitefish itself, but she covers the wider Flathead Valley.

Keep in mind that these rankings are partly algorithms and partly paid placement, so use them to build a list, not to decide.

How to choose:

1. Talk to 2 or 3 agents and ask how many Whitefish deals they've done in the last year or two, in your price range and property type.
2. Find a specialist. Whitefish has very different markets: lakefront, ski condos near Whitefish Mountain Resort, ranch or acreage land, and in-town homes. Pick someone who knows yours well.
3. Check their record on the Montana Regional MLS, Zillow, or Realtor.com, and ask for references from recent clients.
4. Ask about their availability and how they communicate. Top agents sometimes pass clients on to team members.
5. Check their license with the Montana Board of Realty Regulation.

If you tell me whether you're buying or selling and what type of property it is, I can help you come up with questions for your interviews.