10 Good real estate agent qualities and 3 red flags to avoid

A good realtor is distinguishable from a mediocre one in several ways. The caliber of the realtor can make a huge difference in how quickly your property sells or sits on the market. It can also determine whether your offer is accepted at all. While good real estate agent qualities won’t ensure the best deal, these green flags, and red flags to avoid can take the stress out of choosing the best realtor for you.

10 good real estate agent qualities to look for:

1. Experience and expertise: A firm grasp of the local market and a wealth of real estate industry knowledge tops the list of good real estate agent qualities. A realtor should provide valuable insight and advice.
2. Communication skills: Effective communication is critical to a successful real estate transaction. A good realtor is communicative, readily available (within reason), and keeps you informed about the progress of your investment.
3. Integrity and honesty: Trustworthiness is vital in a realtor-client relationship. Good real estate agent qualities include integrity, transparency regarding potential conflicts of interest, and always acting in your best interest.
4. Negotiation skills: Buying or selling real estate requires excellent negotiation skills. A good realtor is a strong negotiator, advocates for your interests, and aims to get the best deal possible.
5. Market knowledge: A good realtor stays current on recent market trends, property values, and the latest regulations related to the real estate industry locally and nationally.
6. Problem-solving skills: Real estate investment can be complex and may encounter challenges. Resourcefulness and the ability to find creative solutions to overcome obstacles can set a good realtor apart from a bad one.
7. Good organizational skills and pays attention to detail: A good realtor is detail oriented. They comb through paperwork for inaccuracies, make sure everything is complete, and keep all aspects of the deal organized.
8. Professional network: A realtor’s network is worth its weight and gold. It includes a variety of contacts, from mortgage brokers and inspectors to appraisers and other real estate professionals to ensure the buying or selling process runs as seamlessly as possible.
9. Client references and testimonials: Client references and testimonials can provide a track record of satisfied clients and positive feedback when choosing the right real estate agent to suit your needs.
10. Tech-savviness: Incorporating the latest technological advancements increases the likelihood that your property listing closes successfully. Tech-savvy realtors enlist several marketing strategies such as social media posting and offline tactics like mailers and phone calls to ensure their clients get the best deal possible.

See: 16 Essential personality traits for real estate agents, How to find the right real estate agent for you

There should never be a time when your realtor doesn’t have your best interest in mind.  Realtor.com recommends asking key questions to determine if the realtor is a good fit. Questions such as, ‘How long have you been in business?’, ‘What is your percentage of listings sold?’, ‘Do you use social media to market homes?’ and ‘What kinds of advertising do you use?’ provide insight that an impressive resume may not reveal. Unethical practices, lack of empathy and understanding, and a mismatch between a realtor’s values and the client’s goals can raise red flags. While characteristics like overeagerness and lack of responsiveness automatically raise eyebrows, these three red flags for real estate agents may fly under the radar.

3 Red flags for real estate agents:

1. Conflicts of interest: An agent simultaneously representing a buyer and seller may not seem like an issue, but divided loyalty can create unforeseen and totally avoidable problems. David Bitton, the co-founder and CMO at DoorLoop, a property-management software told Business Insider, “It is crucial to have an agent who is solely committed to safeguarding your interests throughout the process.”
2. Not being forthcoming about additional fees:  When buying and selling a home, commissions for agents and home listing fees are expected. Avoidance and vagueness surrounding marketing costs, early termination policies, closing costs, or any other fees are cause for pause. A reputable real estate agent is upfront with all costs of buying or selling real estate.
3. Not sticking to your budget/pushy behavior: Pushy behavior may not always be apparent immediately. Anytime a realtor pushes boundaries and doesn’t adhere to a client’s budget or needs, that’s a problem. A good realtor won’t show homes outside their client’s requested price range and will reevaluate their approach.

See: ‘7 Warning signs your real estate is a bad fit’

Good real estate agent qualities involve more than credentials that look good on paper. Personal compatibility, trust, level of expertise, and communication style all play a role. Interview multiple realtors, ask questions ahead of time, and above all else, choose the realtor you feel most comfortable and confident with. Contact Team LBR Real Estate today to discuss your real estate goals, and let us utilize our veteran real estate experience and vast real network to suit your needs.

Sources: “5 Red flags to look out for when working with a real estate agent, according to experts” – https://www.businessinsider.com/red-flags-real-estate-agent-experts-2023-5, “7 Warning signs your real estate agent is a bad fit” – https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/real-estate-agent-red-flags-261091

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