Characteristics to Look for in a Realtor
Selling your home can be an overwhelming experience but with the proper planning and market research, it could very well be smooth sailing. Another thing that is of utmost importance is landing a quality realtor. This person will help you analyze the market, throw open houses, price your houses correctly, and so much more. If you’ve already decided that selling your home on your own isn’t an ideal scenario for you, we can help make some recommendations. Read on for characteristics to look for in a realtor.
Aggressiveness
Selling homes is a dog-eat-dog business, so you need to a land a realtor who isn’t going to think the sale is just going to land in her lap. Because the longer your house on the market the worse it will typically fare, you need someone who is going to go out and work on your behalf. From running comps to throwing impeccable open houses, you want this person to be hungry. All too often when we hear the word “aggressive” we think of something negative, but the last thing you want is a realtor that rests on her laurels.
Solid Reputation
These days finding out a business person’s reputation in business is only a click away. You want someone who is savvy on social media, and hopefully this includes the having a Facebook page filled with positive reviews. Don’t shy away from someone who might have a few bad reviews, however, as no one is going to please every client. In cases like this, trust your gut. Alternatively, an online site with lot of bad reviews is never a good sign, as where there is smoke there is typically fire.
Find Someone You Enjoy
The truth is this is just as important if not more important than other traits. Offers fall through, problems happen with inspections, and having to get out of your home on a moment’s notice can weigh heavily on you. So having a realtor whose company you enjoy throughout this process will be more valuable than you probably even realize. You should also feel like your real estate agent is always focusing on you when you’re together as opposed to working on other things.
Professionalism
Check out the realtor’s marketing materials, signage, website, and anything else you can get your hands on to see how professional he presents himself. It might sound petty but any realtor worth his salt should also dress professionally and drive a nice car, as appearances can be everything when it comes to selling your home.
Proof Providers
A realtor might be able to talk a good game but can she put her money where her mouth is? As this Onerent’s Chuck Hattemer notes via this Forbes.com article, “You want someone who is realistic and can proactively mitigate risk. When interviewing agents, pay attention to those using real data in their answers when it comes to investment analysis, neighborhood-level market performance, and long-term impact of your decision to buy or sell.” In other words, when you’re thinking about selling your house, you want your realtor to be able to tell you the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Problem Solver
As previously mentioned, offers can fall through and inspections can go awry. These are just two of the many things that can go sideways when you’re selling your home. You’ve got to be ready for these curveballs but, even more so, your real estate agent does. You want someone who can think on his feet, come up with solutions, and close deals quickly and efficiently.
Knowledgeable in Your Area
You want someone who knows your housing market inside and out, and hopefully has an impressive inventory as well. You might even think about testing her on this kind of thing. As Robert Irwin, author of Tips & Traps for Negotiating Real Estate, puts it in this Bankrate.com article:
“A good agent should know about other properties that are available in the area, Irwin says. Mention a house in your area that recently sold or is for sale. If the agent knows the property and can give you a few details, that means he or she really knows your area.”
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Make sure your real estate agent has these traits and you’ll be well on your way to selling your house in no time.
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