Choosing a Real Estate Professional is tough if you don’t have a professional or personal relationship before you are ready to buy, sell, or invest! Let’s explore three important topics surrounding this task to help you feel confident in executing your Real Estate goals! Real Estate Professional qualifications, personality, and skills!
To start, let’s debunk the myth that you have to use a seasoned agent in order to get good service. I wholeheartedly disagree. A far more important question if they are a younger or less seasoned agent, is who leads them? New agents who are mentored by seasoned professionals excel leaps and bounds in knowledge, know-how, and negotiations. Whether you are considering a new or seasoned professional, there are key qualifications I believe are important to inquire about.
The first is how many houses they (or their team) sell per year. I know you are thinking that I just told you that a new agent is as valuable as a seasoned agent under the right mentorship but here me out on this! If it is a new agent, then ask about their mentor or team sales! This is important because consistent sales keep agents relevant, abreast of current market trends, and contractual comprehension to be successful. I encourage you to do some keyboard research and see what the brokerage’s reputation is. Does it align with your values? Are they respected in the community?
Although a Real Estate professional may be qualified, the honest truth is, their personality has to click with yours! The internet has given us the ability to research at a level we have never seen in history! Use this to your advantage! If you love dogs and see that the agent you are about to interview hates puppies, this is a no-go. Dig deep into their social media, professional media, and client reviews on sites such as Zillow, Realtor.com, etc. Real Estate Professionals love to market themselves and let you know who they are! Choose one you vibe with that also has great qualifications and you will enjoy the process far more!
Let’s talk skills! Skills are an agent's ability to navigate Real Estate above and beyond basic qualifications. My top two questions when interviewing an agent are: “What additional training have committed to in your field?” and “What additional training do you subscribe to on the topic of negotiations.” Unfortunately, so many agents take the exam and the only training they do year after year is the 16 required hours by the state. Within the first year of being on our team, all agents commit to aggressive training in negotiations, client care, confidentiality, and ethical practices. Most agents who subscribe to my point of view will get excited to tell you about what they have learned! Ask, and listen!
If interviewing agents is not your thing, we can do it for you! If you are considering moving to an area we do not serve, please reach out! We are happy to interview agents on your behalf! It is a complimentary service we offer to anyone who is in need because it is so important to us to maintain the integrity of our profession!