Qualities of a great REALTOR® and red flags that you may need a new one

The process of  buying or selling a home can be a complicated process. Fortunately, that’s where a real estate agent comes in. Their role is to help you navigate those processes with ease so things go smoother, which is why you need an agent you can trust. That’s also why it’s a genuine problem if your real estate agent just isn’t working out for your needs.

What should you do if things aren’t clicking with your agent? It may be time to find someone who suits your needs better. We recommend asking yourself the following questions to determine whether your agent is meeting your needs or whether it’s time to walk away and look for someone new.

While you can’t expect your agent to be readily available at every moment, you should be able to rely on clear and timely communication. If they aren’t available, they should be following up to let you know when they’ll be in touch. If they are prompt and professional in their communication with you, you’ll know they value you and your business.

They should also be focusing on building a relationship with you. That means they should actively listen to you to understand you and your needs. They should be genuinely interested in who you are and what you’re looking for in your next home. And you should feel that they are making you a priority. If you don’t feel valued, it may be time to move on.

If you are selling, your agent should have a marketing plan in place for how they intend to list your home to make it sell quickly. They should have a plan for professional photography and video. They may make recommendations about how to stage your home to potentially draw a better return. In addition, they should be able to explain how they intend to draw attention to your listing, which includes social media, open houses, advertising, and even the verbiage within the listing itself.

While you won’t need that same plan if you’re buying, you’ll still need to understand your agent’s strategy for helping you find homes to tour. Ask your agent what their approach is to a home search.

Your agent should know the ins and outs of a real estate transaction. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a first-time seller, or you’ve bought and sold numerous times, your agent should still be offering guidance to make the transaction seamless. As a buyer, it may include explaining the offer process. As a seller, it may include navigating the inspection and appraisal process.

What’s more, a great agent should have insights into lending programs that may be beneficial to you, and they may have a great local lender they can connect you with. Not getting this type of guidance should be a concern. You may also want to consider whether they are taking you to homes or neighborhoods that aren’t quite meeting your needs. If you aren’t receiving clear information from your agent, or if anything seems off or confusing, you may want to consider finding a new one.

One of the most important roles an agent has is to be your advocate as a buyer or seller. Because no two scenarios are the same, a great agent should be able to look at what you’re bringing with you to guide a transaction that makes sense for you. As a buyer, that may look like cash savings and assets or money from a real estate sale. For a seller, it could be an offer that allows you to stay in the home until you close on your next one. That’s why they need great negotiation skills.

First and foremost, your agent is there to represent you. Therefore, if you feel that they aren’t negotiating with your best interests in mind, you may need to move on to an agent that has those skills. After all, that’s the most important skill they can offer you.

It’s a great idea to put in the leg work to hire a great agent. Consider asking references to see if they can offer insights into your agent. Ideally, you can ask for references before you hire an agent. It’s a good idea to ask friends and family who they used. Or, if you’re moving from out of town, do some research to see what kind of reviews agents have online.

Keep in mind that if you’ve asked for references, they’ll likely hand-select the buyers and sellers they are close to. But don’t be afraid to ask direct questions of the references to gain valuable insights. If you don’t like the responses, it might be time to consider a different agent.

It’s not always easy to find the right agent to work with. That’s why it’s so important to work with the top agents in the market, such as the team at The Jim Allen Group. If you’re looking for an agent, get in touch. We’re here to support you in your buying or selling journey.

The Jim Allen Group provides access to information on this blog/website as a public service for educational purposes only. Although reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all of the information made available is current, accurate, and complete…[read more]