There are over 1.5 million realtors in the United States alone. It's an increasingly popular choice of career, so finding a real estate agent isn't particularly difficult. However, with that in mind, finding a good agent can be a challenge.
While real estate agents are in no short supply, not all of them are excellent. You want to find someone who exemplifies the qualities of a good real estate agent when you're ready to buy or sell a home, right? But what are those qualities?
We're here to talk about all of the top qualities you should be looking for when you're choosing your real estate agent. Read on to learn more so your next property sale or purchase is a great experience.
Knowledgeable
Becoming a real estate agent requires education and studying, and for good reason. Working in real estate isn't just about sales. Real estate agents need to understand the market, laws, finances, and more if they want to truly help their clients (and, of course, make good money).
In other words, a successful real estate agent is knowledgeable.
A good real estate agent should have a deep understanding of the local real estate market, including current trends, property values, and neighborhood amenities.
Having a real estate agent that genuinely knows the area will make the experience of buying or selling a house so much better. They'll be able to make informed suggestions and realistic outlooks, resulting in happier clients.
They should also be educated about the legal and regulatory aspects of real estate transactions. There is a lot of legal paperwork and documentation involved in buying and selling homes or other properties, and the average buyer or seller won't have any background knowledge about it.
That's okay. Working in real estate means learning all about the "legalese" so clients don't have to.
Excellent Communication Skills
Effective communication is crucial in real estate. A good agent should be able to articulate complex concepts, negotiate effectively, and keep clients informed throughout the buying or selling process. Responsive communication and active listening are also important.
Good communication skills are necessary whenever negotiations are occurring. Real estate transactions almost always involve negotiation in some way, shape, or form.
An excellent agent can advocate for their clients, find common ground, and secure favorable deals. Negotiation skills are especially important when dealing with offers, counteroffers, and inspection issues.
An agent who's good at negotiating will make sure that the outcome is great for both the buyer and the seller.
Honesty and Integrity
Trust is fundamental when it comes to real estate transactions. You want to be able to trust your real estate agent to work in your best interest. Many lower-quality real estate agents only have money on their minds, and as a result, their clients end up unhappy.
A good agent should be honest and transparent, and act with integrity. This builds trust with clients and helps maintain a positive reputation in the industry. While they're working for money, they don't sacrifice the happiness of their clients for a quick and easy sale.
Savvy Problem-Solving Skills
All good real estate agents are also savvy problem-solvers. This isn't a skill that they acquire overnight, but it's one that any successful real estate agent will build up and develop over time as they gain more experience in their field.
Real estate transactions can sometimes come with various challenges. A good agent should be able to identify problems early on and work to find effective solutions. This requires creativity, resourcefulness, and the ability to think on their feet.
A real estate agent who is unable to effectively problem-solve will miss out on a lot of sales and make their clients unhappy.
Networking Abilities
Networking is important in a wide variety of professional fields, and real estate is no exception. Getting realtor jobs often requires networking skills, and keeping jobs and clients requires refining those skills.
Successful real estate agents often have a broad network of contacts, including other real estate professionals, lenders, contractors, and various service providers. This network can be valuable when it comes to assisting clients and facilitating smooth transactions.
Many good real estate agents also have networks of potential clients. They know that finding a really good client is tough, so they get their names out there to attract anyone who may even be considering buying or selling a home in the future.
They network with local businesses, attend local events, and use their personal networks of friends and family members to expand their clientele. This takes a lot of work and dedication, but it's worth it.
Attention to Detail
Real estate transactions involve a significant amount of paperwork and legal documentation. Real estate agents take care of all of that paperwork, so their clients have a seamless buying or selling process, but it's a lot of work to keep all of that organized!
A good agent pays close attention to detail, ensuring that all documents are accurate, complete, and submitted in a timely manner. Even if they're balancing multiple clients, they're still able to make sure that all documents get where they need to go.
A real estate agent who doesn't have keen attention to detail will struggle when it comes to finalizing sales and keeping track of various clients simultaneously.
Adaptability and Flexibility
The real estate market is dynamic, and it's essential for agents to adapt to changing market conditions, new technologies, and evolving client needs. An agent who can't adapt will quickly find that this job isn't for them. They won't be able to keep getting clients, they'll miss out on sales, and they'll find themself getting frustrated when things don't go to plan.
An agent who is flexible and open to learning will be better positioned for long-term success. Good real estate agents know that learning never stops. There are always new skills to learn and new market conditions to consider.
Keeping up with constant learning and education is how decent real estate agents evolve into excellent ones. It's how they stay flexible, adaptable, and up-to-date with everything they need to know and how they can continue to do the best possible work for their clients.
Marketing Skills
For sellers, effective marketing is crucial to attract potential buyers. A good agent understands how to market properties, both online and offline, to reach the right audience and showcase the property's strengths.
So, what goes into marketing a property?
Things like staging (or virtual staging), writing great listings, impressive property photography, and social media skills all play a part when it comes to selling a home and finding the perfect buyers. Even the best home at the most reasonable price won't sell if no one knows that it exists. The average seller won't know how to market their home well, and that's where the real estate agent comes in.
Real estate agents also use their network to effectively market homes. They use word-of-mouth marketing to find potential buyers even before a home officially hits the market. This can result in an incredibly quick and profitable sale.
A successful real estate agent also needs to be good at self-marketing. Real estate agents are, in a way, their own businesses. They often work hard at managing their own social media accounts, building their own websites, and investing in other marketing materials and advertisements to expand their reach as much as possible.
Client-Focused
Putting the client's needs first is a key characteristic of a good real estate agent. They should be dedicated to understanding and meeting their clients' goals, providing guidance, and offering a positive overall experience.
As we mentioned before, some lower-quality real estate agents don't do this. They only care about the money.
While being a real estate agent is, of course, a career, it requires collaboration between the client and the agent. Without a strong client-agent relationship, the sale can fall apart.
The real estate agent needs to be able to understand exactly what the client is looking for. They should take the client's wants and needs into consideration and use all of their resources to make the sale (or purchase) as successful as possible.
For example, a client-focused real estate agent who's working with a buyer will listen to all of their "must-haves" and "wants." They'll work hard to find homes that match as many of those features as possible, even if those homes won't result in the highest commission.
Those Are the Qualities of a Good Real Estate Agent
If you're looking to buy or sell a home, look out for these qualities of a good real estate agent. Not all real estate agents are going to be right for you. You want one that's honest, adaptable, knowledgeable, and overall capable of helping you buy or sell your home with (relative) ease.
Are you in need of an excellent real estate agent who can help you market your property, find potential buyers, and more? Check out Hommati. Find your ideal real estate agent with us today.