Four Qualities of a Good Real Estate Agent

Nearly half of homeowners who decide to sell their home via FSBO (for sale by owner) do so because they don’t want to pay the agent’s commission, according to a 2017 report by the National Association of Realtors. While it may seem like a big chunk of change, the problem with that is the majority of time, FSBO homes sell for a lot less than homes represented by agents, which makes up for the money you would have spent on the commission and then some.

Of course, in order to get the most for your home, it’s important to hire a good real estate agent. What qualities should you look for?

Knowledge

A good real estate agent must be knowledgeable about real estate laws, the process of selling homes and have an excellent working knowledge of the local area. Laws in Colorado Springs may even be different than laws over in Denver. It’s best to choose an agent that’s been working in your local community for some time as it takes a while to get familiar with a place, all its rules and regulations, and the property values.

Honesty and Integrity

Strong core values are also essential in a realtor. Honesty is one of the most important characteristics of a real estate agent and they should have the integrity to offer evidence through a proven reputation. That’s why checking references is so important – don’t just ask the agent to provide you with references, as they’ll obviously give you the names of those who’ve had the most positive experiences. Instead, request the names and numbers of their most recent clients. Ask detailed questions such as whether or not the agent was available when needed, if they ever felt pushed into making a decision, and how they felt the agent interacted with other professionals that were involved such as other agents and lenders. If there were any problems, how were they handled? Were they resolved appropriately?

You need a realtor you can trust to do the right thing, especially when your money is involved.

Communication

Communication is also key – a good real estate professional should be able to listen and communicate well whether selling or buying is involved. You want someone who understands the importance of staying in touch regularly to help you meet your goals while also having the ability to convince a buyer into signing the sales contract. Sellers need an agent who can negotiate the best price with a potential buyer – while low ballers are common, the experts understand the true value of a home and won’t be willing to risk their commission percentage.

Motivated

If your real estate agent doesn’t seem particularly motivated – you have to chase them down to get a question answered and/or they don’t stay in touch, etc., your home is unlikely to sell quickly or at the price you’re looking for. You need someone who is highly motivated and proactive from the start. They should be quick at responding to your questions, completing an estimation and reaching out to potential buyers.