The good, the bad, and the ugly: what to look for and when to say “sayonara!”
Real estate agents come in all shapes, sizes, and varieties. There are those who epitomize professionalism and those who, well, don’t. And from the stellar to the slacker, an agent can pretty much make or break your real estate transaction. So if you’re working with one and have begun wondering just what this person is doing when they’re supposed to be marketing your home, read on. We’ve got some signs to look for that will help you determine if your real estate agent falls into the flunky category and, if so, how to find a better one.
1. Please leave a message!
One of the first tell-tale signs that your agent sucks is that he or she never answers the phone. In this business, communication is key—after all, agents and realtors have their phone numbers all over the place, including the sign outside your house, online, and on flyers. If potential buyers and other realtors can’t reach him or her, they are going to move on to the next property and strike when the iron’s hot! Your agent should always be reachable and if someone needs to leave a message, they should promptly get a return call.
2. What’s a tweet?
Seriously? Real estate professionals who aren’t tech savvy, at least enough to know their way around social media, are ones to avoid. In today’s digital world, your agent needs to use every major platform, multi-posting your property and showing off pics on all of the most popular social media sites. He or she should also be able to email, text, and provide paperwork via email.
3. Don’t Leave me hanging!
There’s never an excuse for your real estate agent to be late or worse, to not show up. Of course, emergencies happen now and then, but if your agent is perpetually late for appointments or misses showings, ditch the do-nothing right away. Professional realtors will not only always be on time, they’ll be working on your sale consistently, doing whatever it takes to market and sell your property.
4. Are you listening?
The most successful realtors not only know the business well, they also understand how to communicate the complex process of buying or selling a home to their clients! They should have the patience and willingness to listen to your questions and needs in order to serve you in the best way possible. If your agent doesn’t take the time to sit down and discuss your needs, or seems to have little interest in your opinion, it’s time to say goodbye.
5. Just say NO
As important as it is for your realtor to listen to you, it’s equally important that he or she knows when to say no to an idea that will not work. As the real estate professional, it’s his or her job to be knowledgeable and up to date on all current trends in the market and to have the guts to tell you when something you suggest is just not going to fly. You don’t need a yes-man, you need a seasoned pro that acts with integrity and has your best interests at heart.
Finding a better one
Once you’ve identified a subpar agent and given him or her walking papers, it’s time to find yourself a a new partner that’s going get the job done with professionalism. Here are steps to take to ensure that your next agent has the right stuff:
Interview several realtors in person
Find out how long each person has been an agent
Ask how a realtor communicates
Ask for references and talk to recent clients
Do your homework: check credentials and licensing. Are they an agent, realtor, or broker?
Ask for a summary of all current listings
Inquire about past sales: how many, in what neighborhoods, and how long it took to sell properties
Ask about current properties for sale in the area: A good realtor will know what’s on the market off the top of their head
Ask about how they will market your property, and look for a specific, comprehensive answer
Finding the right person to represent you when buying or selling your property is critical to a smooth and successful transaction. If you’re struggling with a sucky realtor, it’s best to cut ties as quickly as possible. And once you’ve done so, take the time to find a true professional by asking the right questions and doing research on each potential agent.
At No Limit Real Estate, we pride ourselves on the service we provide to each of our clients. We not only have extensive experience in the South Florida area, we’ve also earned a reputation for going above and beyond to ensure that your experience is smooth, stress-free, and downright pleasurable. Give us a call at 954.300.2525 or fill out our online contact form. We’re with you every step of the way.