Buying or selling a house can be either a great experience, or one that you don’t care to have again. The kind of experience you have can sometimes depend on your real estate agent. A good real estate agent can make the experience of buying or selling a home almost a pleasure. So what are some of the signs to look for in a good real estate agent?
A good agent is like any other sales professional and their success is reflected by the amount of sales, or in the case of a real estate agent the number of closings they have. Having a lot of closings isn’t the only way to tell when an agent is good, but it does indicate that they can are successful at getting the job done.
An experienced agent knows the business and has built connections over the years that a newer agent just can’t compete with. An experienced agent will be proficient with all the tools of the trade. From online listing sites to all the paperwork it takes to simply make an offer on a home.
A good agent knows the area they work in and are familiar with property values. This enables them to be better at judging whether a home is over- or underpriced. Home buyers often make the mistake of letting their emotions get in the way when they try to put a dollar amount on a home they’ve fallen in love with.
Negotiating is an art that only comes through time and experience. Superior agents are the best negotiators. Negotiations can be influenced by emotions and should be left to the professionals who can be an objective party. A good negotiator/agent can rely on their experience to know what items to stick to in a negotiation, and which items really aren’t that important.
If you’re buying or selling a house, find a good real estate agent and make it a good experience.
