Real estate agents all have different personalities, negotiation styles, and values, and these have an impact on the way they treat their clients, find houses, and strike deals. While it may seem like real estate agents come a dime a dozen, a good one can get you top dollar for your home and make sure you find a new place that has everything you’re looking for. Here are some important reasons why you should take the time to find an agent you can trust and who will work with your best interests in mind.
Know The Local Market
The nuances of the local real estate market involve not only home prices but also school ratings, the characteristics of individual communities, and the potential for reselling the home at a future date. Effective real estate agents should know the local area, the standard prices for different neighborhoods, and neighborhood and school reputations. They should also freely share that information with you. This goes back to trust, which will get mentioned again (and again) because it’s such an important quality in a good real estate agent.
Specialties Make A Difference
There are specialized markets within the real estate business, and certain agents will know more about these markets and be better able to negotiate and provide services within them. For example, some agents work with first-time buyers who aren’t familiar with buying and selling, while others specialize in high-end properties or specific geographical areas. If you happen to be in a niche market, an agent with experience in that niche may be more effective at getting you a better deal.
The Risks Are Real and Your Agent Should Tell You
Real estate ventures inherently come with some risk, and your agent should tell you that. Sugarcoating the risks won’t help you. This issue comes back (again) to trust. The agent should tell you all of the pros and cons of a house, the neighborhood, and the financials so you can go into the process with eyes wide open.
High Stress Needs Patience and Compassion
Look for real estate agents who show patience and compassion for their clients’ wants, needs, and general home buying anxieties. Good agents should be well acquainted with the stress of the process and may offer suggestions to help you deal with it. They should remain calm under pressure and realize that, unlike them, you may not have gone through this experience before. If, on the other hand, an agent doesn’t handle stress well, the process could quickly get tense and unpleasant.
Clear Communication
This person will be negotiating on your behalf for a house you could be living in for decades to come. Good communication is crucial, and it should flow easily between the two of you. An agent who doesn’t respond to emails, texts, or phone calls can make your stress levels skyrocket. Your agent should be responsive to your questions and clear in his responses. Vague or ambiguous language or frequently delayed responses are signs that communication isn’t your agent’s strength.
Negotiating Takes Talking Power
Real estate agents come in many types, but there’s one thing they should all do well, and that’s talk. The ability to talk comfortably and authoritatively is the hallmark of clear communication, but it’s also a sign of how well people interact with others, including other agents and industry professionals. You shouldn’t feel pressured or awkward when you’re conversing with your agent. Someone who enjoys communicating and makes that communication pleasant can help ease anxiety and stress, and will probably do a better job of representing you.
Bottom Line
Passionate agents are excited about the process and are driven to work hard to provide their clients with the best experience possible. If you’ve been thinking about buying or selling in the near future and are on the hunt for a rockstar real estate agent, give the Brooke Marie Collective team a call today. (616) 447-7045
Article Source: BobVila.com
