When you’re ready to sell your current home or buy a new one, an essential part of the process is finding a great real estate agent. Part of being a great real estate agent is knowing how to efficiently and effectively complete the objective. While there are plenty of real estate agent red flags you may encounter along the way, there are several ways you can be confident you’ve found a good realtor.
How To Know You’ve Found the Right Real Estate Agent
You’ll know shortly after you begin working with your realtor if you’ve made a good choice. A few of the main indications are:
1. Has Excellent Communication Skills
A great real estate agent must have excellent communication skills to deal with everyone buying and selling. They must communicate clearly about everything from the features of a house to the intricate details of complicated legal paperwork.
2. Has Excellent Listening Skills
Part of being a skilled communicator is being a good listener. You need the confidence that your realtor is listening to your wants and needs. Listening can prove to be much more efficient when it comes to finding the place you’ll call home. You’ll have some essential details, such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you need and the maximum price you can afford that your real estate agent will need to adhere to.
3. Stays Up-to-Date
Your realtor should be knowledgeable about real estate and keep up with changes in real estate law and the field, in general. Most companies require their agents to participate in regular continuing education classes, where they learn about subjects like the most current real estate lead generation software.
4. Can Provide Good References
A good realtor will give you references from happy clients from several of their recent sales. You may also have someone refer you to this realtor from the beginning. If the realtor hesitates to provide you with client references, there could be a reason to choose a different one.
Signs You Hired a Good Real Estate Agent
It’s essential to work with a realtor who is very knowledgeable about the area in which you’re buying or selling a home. Additionally, it’s necessary to know that your agent is going to be available when needed. Your schedule may be limited if you’re working full time and have family and other obligations outside of work, so the agent should be available to meet when you have the opportunity. Although not required, it’s helpful to know they have a backup agent if they’ll be out of town or unable to meet at a critical time. There are many uncertainties when it comes to buying and selling a house. A quality real estate agent is always on top of the job, or even a couple of steps ahead. Preparing for the unexpected is just part of the business.
A great real estate agent can mean the difference between a stressful experience buying or selling a home and one that is virtually worry-free. A knowledgeable real estate professional has access to invaluable resources such as foreclosure lead generation and detailed market insights for the specific area.