As you’re preparing to buy or sell a property, your real estate agent is your most valuable resource and asset. Your agent will be your guiding light as you navigate these transactions, and naturally you will depend on them heavily for advice, guidance, and support. Real estate agents have the important responsibility of ensuring that you are informed and prepared throughout the entire transaction process, and high-quality agents take this responsibility very seriously. Due to the vital and far-reaching the role that they play in assisting you with some of the biggest choices you’ll make throughout your life, it’s essential that you choose an agent that not only meets your individual standards, but who is willing to work hard in every way to make your dreams come true. As you shop around for an agent, look for the following characteristics to make sure you find the right agent for you!
5. Marketing
Marketing is a crucial part of every real estate agent’s job, so before you begin the selling process, you want to have a good sense of how your agent plans to market your home. As you can see from our list of essential marketing questions for your agent, a lot of work goes into advertising properties in today’s market, and the entire process will go much more smoothly if you’re on the same page with your agent every step of the way.
One way to truly gauge your agent’s marketing skills is by checking out their online presence. You can do this by exploring their individual or team website, reading some of their blog articles, and browsing their social media accounts. Be sure to take a critical look at the level of professionalism and commitment that they have put into marketing their own business online, and be sure that they have include personal bios and references that outline their skills. Not only will this inform you of their qualifications and experience, but it will also ensure that you have comprehensive view of their marketing abilities. The way an agent markets themselves is a reflection of how they will market your home, and for sellers, the level of effort that an agent puts into marketing will show your their level of commitment as well as their networking abilities.
4. Knowledge
One thing that every experienced real estate agent takes very seriously is their knowledge of their field and their particular market. The most credible agents are always striving to continue their education no matter how established they may be, so a good sign that you are dealing with a top-notch agent is that they willingly and passionately explain their ongoing education pursuits to you when prompted. Great agents keep themselves informed about the areas that they work in and the homes on the market, as well as the intricacies of the transaction process. An agent’s level of experience is highlighted by their depth of knowledge, so be sure to find out how long they have been in business and look over some reviews of their services. Being informed about your agent’s overall experience will allow you to accurately assess how well they will meet your needs. Another simple way to judge your agent’s knowledge is to ask them legitimate questions and see if they have quick and comprehensive answers at the ready.
A capable agent will do everything they can to buy or sell your home or find you a new home without any hassles or surprises along the way – years of experience leads to successful and streamlined transactions and the know-how to handle any hiccups along the way. A well-educated agent on your side is a huge asset when you’re facing these major life decisions!
3. Communication
Though it hardly needs to be said, it’s imperative to discuss your communication needs with prospective agents. Ask them what hours they are available by phone and what days of the week that they can be contacted, as well as their average email response time. Of course you want to have reasonable expectations for your agents, but it’s just as important to feel confident that they will stay in contact with you. Your agent’s communication should at the very least be effective enough that you never feel deprived of the information you need to make informed decisions. Besides their interactions with you personally, you also want them to possess finely tuned negotiation skills so they can smoothly interact with every parties involved in transaction process. When it comes to quality agents, communication is paramount.
2. Professionalism
The overall professionalism of an agent should shine through in every facet of their job, and we know you want to work with someone who strives to excel in all aspects of their career. Agents that exemplify professionalism are typically committed to the real estate field full-time and are experts in customer service, and they are also masters of time management, networking, marketing, and organization. It’s essential that your agent has the right approach to everything – from open houses to paperwork.
Your agent’s image should reflect the seriousness of the work that they do, from their personal appearance and attire to the presentation of their vehicle and workspace. It should be apparent that they can easily hone in on your goals, and you want to make sure that they exude a positive attitude that is backed up by knowledge, experience, and a strong work ethic. Be sure to look up your agent’s reviews as well as the reviews of their team or company in order to get a good idea of their professional reputation. Once again, an agent’s online presence is a good mark of their professionalism – their presentation is a good indicator of the service that you will receive.
You may not be able to determine everything about an agent before committing to having them handle your business but you should have an impression that they are prepared and equipped to handle your business. Professionalism is a culmination of all business related skills and getting an idea of your agents approach will help you to feel assured that they are willing to come through for you and provide the level of service that you deserve.
1. Results
We know that clients reach out to agents with a goal in mind: they want results. All agents should be aligned with your dreams and willing to work to make them come true. Quality agents are motivated by results and have a proven track record of smooth transactions. Simply put, you want an agent who can get the job done!
A great way to determine the effectiveness of your potential agent is to do some footwork and find out how long they have been in business and how many transactions they have completed, as well as if they have ever won any industry awards. An agent’s past successes will point towards their ability to help you accomplish your goals.
If you follow these tips, you can be sure that your agent is a skilled negotiator who really knows how to navigate the market. Having the right technical support through this crucial process will ensure smooth sailing every step of the way!
