Not all real estate agents are the same. But how can you tell if a real estate agent is a top performer or just an average broker? We're sharing 8 signs that define a good real estate agent
- The property listings shine with excellent photos
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 52% of buyers find their desired home online. It's essential that your agent can compile a list of properties that appeal to buyers and encourage them to schedule a showing.
So, you head to an agent's website and see some absolutely gorgeous house listings: clean, modern interiors, perfectly staged rooms, and plenty of bright, enticing professional photos. You conclude that you've stumbled upon a true expert in digital real estate marketing.
But wait. You scroll down a bit further and see some photos in other listings that aren't so appealing, with messy rooms, outdated apartments, and decor that, frankly, makes no sense. Should you ditch this agent before the first date?
“Not necessarily,” says Enas Latif, a top real estate agent who sells homes 62% faster than the average agent in Harris Hill, New York. “Photography is a team effort. If you have an uncooperative seller or tenants living in the house, it can get difficult.”.
Instead of relying solely on photos, Latif advises sellers to ask the agent the following questions after viewing their listings:
- What will they do to my house to prepare it for sale?
- How will you take photos of my house? Will they be taken professionally?
- Do you do a walkthrough with me before the photoshoot to help me better organize my house for the photos?
“Professional photographs are non-negotiable, regardless of the size of the house or its price range,” says Latif.
2. Suggest strategic home improvements
When it comes to preparing your home for the market, the renovation possibilities are endless. A top-tier real estate agent knows which projects will generate a positive return on investment and attract more buyers.
For example, replacing an asphalt shingle roof costs an average of $24,700 and has a 65.9% return on investment, adding $16,287 in resale value. A minor kitchen remodel that costs roughly the same amount has a higher average return on investment of 77.6%, adding $18,206 in resale value.
A good real estate agent is intimately familiar with ROI values and knows exactly what features buyers in their market are willing to pay more for.
3. Respond to messages
A good real estate agent is easy to reach and responds to your phone calls, texts, and emails within 24 hours. If you contact a real estate agent and don't receive a response for an extended period, look elsewhere.
“Selling a home can be like a stressful emotional roller coaster,” Latif shares. “Your real estate agent should be someone you can trust to keep you updated and calm throughout the entire process.”.
It is essential that your real estate agent has excellent communication and negotiation skills and provides you with regular updates.
But exactly how much communication is enough? If you send a message to an agent and don't receive a response for a while, is that a red flag?
“That depends on your definition of ‘a while,’” Latif says. “I personally don’t answer my phone if I’m on a call with another client. If I’m in a quoting appointment, for example, that could take up to three hours. That said, anything over 24 hours is a red flag.”.
However, if you're communicating with a real estate agent through their website as a potential client, Latif says this is a good time to test whether the agent has good systems in place.
“An agent needs a system that provides a response to inquiries within five or ten minutes,” Latif advises. “Even if the response is an automated message saying, ‘Hey, I have an appointment and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.’”.
Why is communication so important? You want an agent who responds promptly not only to you but also to other homebuyers inquiring about your property. Playing phone etiquette isn't fun for busy buyers. The last thing you want is to miss out on a sale because your agent wasn't available.
4. You like their energy and they like yours
77% of sellers go with the first real estate agent they contact. While this sometimes works, it's much more strategic to conduct brief interviews with your top three candidates to get a sense of their personality and professionalism.
While you don't need to be completely in love with your agent, there should be an immediate rapport, and you should generally enjoy being around them. You'll be working with your real estate agent to sell your home for a considerable amount of time—an average of 70 days from quote to closing, plus an additional one or two months before the quote while you prepare your home for the market.
“It’s almost like a marriage!” Latif remarks, only half-jokingly.
“They’re stuck with each other every day for months. If you can’t communicate, how are you going to make it work?”
Compatibility with your agent is essential for a pleasant and profitable sales experience. Your agent should have excellent communication skills, always make you feel heard, and instill a sense of trust.
Even more critically, a real estate agent must communicate with influence, charisma, and confidence to market your home, handle leads, and successfully close the deal.
5. They know the area like the back of their hand
One of the first things you should ask an agent is how well they know your neighborhood. An agent with intimate local knowledge gives you an edge over your competitors when marketing your home; they can authentically sell buyers on the advantages of your location, such as proximity to cafes, shops, restaurants, wildlife, and local urban centers.
When you interview your agent, ask them how many homes have closed in your area.
6. It has excellent reviews and statistics across all platforms
For a positive sales experience, work with a top agent who has a stellar track record of closing deals. After all, your agent is responsible for managing the sale of your most valuable financial asset. Fortunately, it's easier than ever to find an agent's sales history and customer reviews online.
The easiest way to find reviews of your real estate agent is simply to search for them on Google. For more specialized information, check out HomeLight agent profiles, which include client reviews, as well as statistics on local sales, average time on the market, and average selling price.
7. They are brave and resourceful
Meeting all your sales goals is no easy task: you need the support of an agent who can market your home tirelessly and stay with you until closing.
Even in competitive markets, the right agent won't let you feel defeated if you lose a deal. They are highly motivated and always ready with a new strategy to ensure you recover and close the right deal.
“My team is known for not letting deals fall through,” Latif says. “And we see those deals through to closing.”.
Latif says the secret to surviving the unexpected and adapting to unforeseen obstacles is agility and experience.
“A full-time real estate agent with extensive, active market experience will be in tune with the market’s daily operations,” she shares. With their finger on the pulse of the local market, their agent can adjust their sales strategy when the unexpected happens.
“Let’s say, for example, that a house we expected to receive multiple offers for didn’t. We would have to analyze the market and its listing and determine what was happening,” Latif adds.
When interviewing your potential agent, ask them how they overcame obstacles to recover the sale. If their answer makes them seem unstoppable, then you've found a guardian.
8. Their network is impeccable
A network full of local connections is an essential quality in real estate agents and is one of the main reasons why you should always work with an agent to sell your home.
There are many moving parts to selling your home, and you'll likely find yourself calling contractors for projects like landscaping, painting, plumbing, and home staging. Instead of searching through reviews for every service you're looking for, your agent can connect you with their network of highly qualified contractors and home-preparation experts.
And if your agent has relationships with these professionals, they may be able to convince them to schedule your last-minute repairs before open houses or exhibitions.
Source: https://inmobimedia.com/
