What Makes A Good Real Estate Agent?

When trying to buy or sell a home, it can be difficult to find just the right person to be your real estate agent.

For starters, there’s one every street corner so your choices seem unlimited. And there can be that lingering thought that perhaps they’re in it just to make a better deal for themselves rather than you, the customer. But rest assured, not just good but great real estate agents do exist! Here are four traits that make up a real estate agent that you will not only trust and value but enjoy working alongside.

Honesty

As cliché as it might sound, honesty truly is the best policy. When it comes to the purchase or selling of your home, you definitely need someone who will be honest with you. This honesty can oftentimes come across like unwanted advice or something you simply didn’t want to hear. But if you’re realtor is truthful with you these comments and advice will pay off later.

For instance, if you have your home priced too high, she should be able to tell you this information while still taking into account the emotional attachment you have with your home. Or perhaps you found your dream home that comes just a bit over what your budget can allow. An honest real estate agent should sit you down and discuss the possible limitations and consequences of going onward with such a home. The need shouldn’t be based on the sale the real estate agent can make, but the happiness he can ensure in his clients lives now and ten years down the road.

Real Estate Agents Should Have Integrity

While closely related to honesty, integrity is an absolute must-have when it comes to real estate agents. No one wants a real estate agent that’s just trying to make a sale at any cost, but someone who values their line of work enough to keep it pure. One way to spot if your real estate agent strives for integrity is if they are a member of the National Association of Realtors, or an organization similar to this. To be a member of this particular association, the real estate agent has pledged to uphold a strict code of ethics and practices. And if this isn’t enough for you, feel free to request a list of references from previous clients of your real estate agent. Getting to chat with those that worked closely with your real estate agent will give you invaluable insight into their ethics and integrity.

Good Brokers Communicate

If you’re calling your real estate agent with new information then you’ve got the wrong real estate agent. Your real estate agent should not only be up to date on houses within the market, but he should be communicating with you every step of the way. And communicative doesn’t always just mean letting you know when the newest house hits the market, but talking with you often to ensure he knows your evolving needs and desires through the purchasing and selling process.

You should feel like you can call your real estate agent at any time with questions or concerns and not feel as if you are a colossal hindrance to them. Communication enables you to feel valued and make sure that your opinions and concerns are heard. And any good real estate agent will not only encourage this but be thankful for it! At the end of the day, you should be happy in the home you’ve bought or the house you’ve sold and can look on the communication between you and your real estate agent as a key factor in that happiness. (Connect with us now...)

Going the Extra Mile

Lastly, any great real estate agent really should go the extra mile. Maybe she squeezes you into a showing of a house that just listed that morning. Or perhaps she sits you down and helps you make a detailed list of necessary improvements your home needs in order to sell. Or maybe she even comes to your home to help you get all the legal documents in order because you simply can’t get to their office during the day.

These are the kinds of things that make good real estate agents great. You not only feel valued but know that your real estate agent really does have your best interest at heart. It’s actions like these that make your experience with your real estate agent truly memorable – and enjoyable.