It’s no secret.

The relationship with your realtor can be a long one. Selling your home and purchasing a new one doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, it can take upwards of a few months, sometimes even longer. Taking the time to find the right real estate agent for your home purchase can really pay off. Not only will you enjoy working with the agent, but you’ll have the added confidence and comfort that they will help you take the next steps forward while always holding your best interests at heart.

In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at what you should be looking for in a realtor, what to avoid, and how to make that final decision. Read on for more!

The Traits of a Good Real Estate Agent

The perfect real estate agent for you exists, it’s all about finding them and making that unbreakable bond. Your ideal real estate agent should be:

• Easy to work with
• Experienced
• A local expert
• Trustworthy and reliable

Above all else, they should have a strong and in-depth strategy to sell your home and find you a new one. You should always feel confident in your realtor and the information/options that they present you with.

Research, Research, Research!

The first step to finding the perfect real estate agent for you is completing research. Researching some of the best local realtors can give you an idea of the options available to you. You should aim to create a list of five to seven local real estate agents that might be a great fit for you. This list should be based on their area of expertise, including the kind of real estate that they focus on and the areas that they work in, their current listings, online reviews and testimonials, and experience.

Once you’ve created a strong list of candidates, it’s time to interview them. Simply give each of them a phone call and ask a few basic questions. Some of these inquiries could include how many years of experience they have, what kinds of property that they usually handle, how they communicate with clients, what price ranges they work with, what areas they focus in, and/or if they are a full-time or part-time agent.

Throughout this initial communication, pay close attention to how they communicate. If they didn’t get back to you within a timely manner or had poor communication, this might be an indicator that they could be hard to work with in the long run. You can also use this as an opportunity to see what their personality is like. If you found it hard to communicate with them or they didn’t give you the feeling that they would be easy to work with, it might be best to go with your gut.

Credentials

It’s not all about their experience and personality. It’s about credibility, too. Your real estate agent should have all the necessary credentials and licensing. You wouldn’t seek medical aid from a physician who didn’t have the right credentials, so your real estate agent shouldn’t be any different.

A licensed and fully-educated real estate agent can help ensure that the transaction is legal and fair. When you’re dealing with the sale and purchase of property, this is imperative.

Referrals, Testimonials & Online Presence

Once you’ve narrowed down your list to one or two realtors, it’s time to inspect their past. This is when your social media lurking skills can really come in handy. Start with their social media and online channels and go from there. A social media presence isn’t everything, but it does count for something. Today, any realtor worth their two cents knows that they should have a strong social media strategy. Especially for potential clients who may want to reach out.

Read all the reviews, not just the first few. It’s also important to read these reviews from most recent to least recent. A review posted seven years ago might not have the most accurate information anymore.

Do some digging and find some of their past clients. Once you’ve found a few, reach out to them for a real-time testimonial. This can give you a better idea of what it’s like to actually work with them and the quality of work they deliver.

Red Flags

Before you make your final decision, check to see if there are any clear-cut red flags. These red flags could include that they:

• Don’t usually work with buyers in your price range
• Aren’t familiar with your current area or where you want to buy
• Take too long to respond
• Recommend a much higher price for your home than the others
• Are a part-time realtor who does this on the side
• Don’t have the necessary credentials/licenses
• Have negative or inconsistent referrals
• Don’t have much of an online presence

These red flags aren’t necessarily a deal breaker, but in combination with one another, might give you enough reason to keep looking for a more credible or experienced realtor that is a better fit for you.

Keeping an Open Mind

While making your final decision, it’s important to keep an open mind. Just because a real estate agent is new to the area or doesn’t have five years of experience doesn’t mean that they won’t make a wonderful asset to your team. If you get a good vibe from them and you both work well together, it could be an indicator they are the right agent for you.

If you’re in the market for a real estate agent to help you sell your home and/or purchase a new one, Woolcott Real Estate might have the right solution for you. Our experienced and strategic Burlington and Waterdown realtors have helped many find their forever homes and sell their previous ones at the best prices possible. To get started, contact us today!