A good real estate agent can help the real estate transaction be an enjoyable experience. Good real estate agents aren’t as easy to find as it seems. 20% of the agents do 80% of the business.
How do you define a “good” real estate agent? The best agent for you doesn’t necessarily mean that they make the most money, work for the largest brokerages, or close the most deals. The best agents take the time to listen to what you need, conduct themselves in a professional manner, and knows your market so they can find the best option for you and your family.
Realtors and sales representatives are similar yet differ in a few ways. All realtors are licensed to buy/sell real estate. Realtors have a higher standard of code of ethics they abide by which are higher than normal business practices or whats required by law.
Referrals are a big part of the business. Most successful real estate agents get to where they are because their clients are satisfied with the services they received and refer them to neighbours, friends and family. Ask those who have recently moved or bought or sold property and see what their experience was like with the agent they used. Successful agents retain clients by providing excellent services by putting their clients needs before their own. The best agents go above and beyond what is required of them to make sure their clients needs are met.
Search the top real estate companies in your area and see what services they provide. Experienced agents will tell you what they can do for you, newer agents will spend more time and effort on each transaction.
Visit open houses to see how the agent works in a non-threatening environment. Pay attention to how they show the home. If you want to sell your home, notice how informative they are, are they polite, are they knowledgeable, do they interact with everyone, do they try and show you the key features of the house…etc. Or are they not doing anything?
Notice “for sale” signs in your neighbourhood. Make note of how long they stay up for. How many signs do you notice of the agent in your area? The agent with the most signs, doesn’t necessarily mean that they have the best service. The agent who works for you will get the house sold the fastest. Results speak more than volume.
Look in newspapers for real estate print advertising. It is designed to sell real estate as well as promote the agent. Look for ads in your neighbourhood, check the agent’s website and see where their area of specialty is.
Get referrals from other professionals. Be it lawyers, mortgage brokers, or other real estate agents, professionals will refer professionals. Interview real estate agents! See if they mesh well with you, your personalities, styles, etc. You want to know with confidence prior to signing any contracts that your real estate agent has your best interests in mind. It doesn’t matter if they’ve sold millions of homes (they might list your home below market value to get it sold) or has been selling real estate for 30 years (are they full-time agents?), you need to know who is genuine in wanting to protect your interests and acts on your behalf because they care about you more than their own bottom line. You want someone to be able to tell you something even if it’s not something you want to hear. This is arbitrarily your biggest investment in your lifetime, your real estate agent should make sure you’re protected, especially your interest. Having said that, let me show you how I can help YOU reach YOUR real estate goals because it’s not just a house, it’s your HOME!