Published April 1, 2020

6 Things to Look for in a Real Estate Agent

Written by Young Team

Chances are, you already know someone in your social circle who is a real estate agent, and you may think that social connection is reason enough to give that individual your business. However, so much goes into a real estate transaction, and just because your college roommate’s brother happens to have a real estate license does not mean that he’s the best fit to help you find your dream home.

You might then wonder, what should I look for in a real estate agent if you can’t rely on your social connections? So, we’ve put together a list of must-have characteristics for a realtor to ensure your needs are best represented during the home sale process.

Trustworthiness

First and foremost, you want an agent you can trust. Throughout the home buying or selling process, you’ll communicate personal financial and family information to your agent, and you want to ensure that the agent will keep them in confidence. Additionally, you will need to trust that your agent will look out for your best interest throughout the transaction.

Open Communication

Your agent must be someone you can speak openly with and who will give you straightforward, honest answers in return. It’s a good idea to meet with several agents to see if you can communicate well with them rather than simply agree to work with the first agent who picks up the phone. If you don’t feel like you can express yourself openly with someone, move on.

Local Knowledge

Your agent should be an expert in the area in which you’re looking to buy or sell a home. Not only will a local expert know all about home prices and styles in the area, they’ll know the best ways to market your home to attract the most buyers.

Reliability

Choose an agent who replies to texts instantly, always answers your phone calls, and follows through on their promises. If they say they’ll do something, expect that it will get done, and if they do not follow through, move on. Often, the difference between getting an offer accepted and being passed by is only a matter of timing, and if you can’t trust your realtor to reliably follow through, you might miss out on your dream home.

Reputation

Find an agent with an excellent reputation, whether by asking your friends and family for recommendations or using a site like Expertise.com to view the reputable experts in your area. If an agent has a perfect reputation, it’s likely because they provide excellent service, and they will do the same for you.

Reviews

If you don’t know where to start in looking for an agent, online reviews on Google, Zillow, or even Facebook are a great place to start. Look for an agent with at least 25 reviews and an average rating above 4.5 stars. If you see a lot of negative reviews, move on! You don’t want to get locked in to a contract with someone who won’t give you the service you deserve.