Looking for a Realtor? Not sure what to look for in a real estate agent? Here are 6 qualities of a great real estate agent, to help you pick a great one!
A Great Real Estate Agent is Communicative
Real estate moves at a quick pace and you want an agent who you can get ahold of in reasonable time. They are responsive and efficient. You want someone who is very communicative with you, keeping you updated with everything going on. Those qualities you probably knew, but there is another. Good communication with other agents is super important. But why is that important to you as a buyer or seller?
Real estate agents are experts in buying and selling real estate, so they can make or break a sale. If your Realtor does not get along well with other agents, that could mean other agents don’t want to work with your agent. You could get beat out easily in a multiple offer situation or other agents might not want to show your listing with your agent. If your agent is super hard to get ahold of, and you are in the midst of a negotiation, it could hurt your offer or even cause you to lose a deal. Many people think they want a mean, aggressive realtor. That may help you get a low price, but what happens when it comes to further negotiations? What if the inspections go poorly or the property doesn’t appraise? You want your Realtor to be able to communicate and negotiate well with the other agent to get you what you want.
A Great Real Estate Agent is Honest
People think they want their agent to be honest with them, but they often times don’t truly want it. You want an agent who is very straight with you, and tells it like it is. Many real estate agents are salespeople that tell you exactly what you want to hear. Yet, you are using a Realtor for their expertise. If you just want a Realtor who tells you what you want to hear, what do you need them for? A good real estate agent should be there for you throughout the whole process, telling you the goods and the bads. They are there to prepare you best for buying or selling your home. And that means, they may say some things that you don’t want to hear. If that happens, you should open up a discussion with the agent to find out why they feel that way. A good relationship with your Realtor should be honest and open. You should be able to express your concerns and let your Realtor be there to guide you. The better relationship you have with your Realtor, the better they can help you with your real estate needs.
A Great Real Estate Agent is Transparent
A good Realtor should be an extension of you. And that means that you should know everything that is going on. I always find it so odd when I see listings with poor photos or very little information about the property in the listing. I always wonder if the seller has even seen the listing? A listing agent should be showing their sellers everything from the marketing they are doing, to the pictures, to the videos to the feedback from showings. A buyer’s agent should be telling their buyers everything going on with the process. They should be getting updates on properties they are trying to see (such as availability and scheduling issues), as well as what is going on with their offer (when their agent submitted it, what the listing agent said, when they can expect a response, and so on). Often times buyers and sellers get most upset when they don’t know what is going on. A realtor who is transparent about everything they are doing for you, is one that will make the process much more enjoyable.
A Great Real Estate Agent Does Their Homework
The reason you want to work with a good real estate agent is because you want to get the the best value for your purchase or sell your house at the highest price with the most favorable terms. You want someone to help guide you through the process, an expert in the area you are working in. You want an agent who can provide value. The best agent may not be the one with the most signs or knows the best restaurants. You want the agent who knows the real estate market data. Your agent should be showing you an analysis of the property, showings recent sales, taking into account upgrades, checking for permits, looking at the tax records, asking the right questions of you about the property, and so on.
A Great Real Estate Agent Knows How to Use Technology
Technology is becoming more and more important when it comes to real estate. Buyers want to see photos, videos, even 3D tours! Properties are being bought and sold virtually, so it is important that you have an agent who knows how to use technology. I have worked with buyers who are out of the area and I have them tour houses with me via FaceTime, or I take a video to send them. I have had buyers buy houses without even seeing the property in person. That is why it is important that if you are a seller, your agent has an excellent online presence to showcase your property, because that buyer may never see the property in person. Also, if you are in a hot market, you may need to write a contract quickly. Your agent should be able to use electronic signatures to get your offer in quickly, as well as helping you sign off on any counteroffers quickly as well.
A Great Real Estate Agent is Client Motivated
You want an agent who listens and puts your needs before their own. If an agent is trying to convince you to buy a property that you don’t want, that agent is not listening to you, and that is a bad sign. Instead, the agent should be asking why you do not like that property and why it did not meet your needs. Then, they adjust your searches to avoid properties like that in the future. Also, if your agent is just showing you properties, with no real direction, that is wasting your time. You want an agent who is trying to get you to your perfect property, which means, asking a lot of questions about what your wants and needs. They listen to what you say, know your motivations, your timelines, your expectations, and so on. A client motivated agent truly wants what is best for you, and it shows!
