Finding a Real Estate Agent

Many people who are looking to purchase property have limited experience dealing with real estate agents. They may not know how to recognize a good agent from an average (or worse) one. 

As your real estate needs progress, it’s important to recognize the value of having an effective agent on your side. But where to find one? What skills and insights should you be looking for? Whether you’re interested in buying or selling commercial or residential property, you should know your options. Here is an in-depth look at where to start when searching for the perfect real estate agent for you.

What is a real estate agent and what do they do?

When looking for a commercial or residential property, a good real estate agent is essential. Not only do they possess a wealth of industry knowledge and insights, good real estate agents also offer hands-on experience, legal know-how, and the negotiating skills required when offers are presented. But that’s not all. A good real estate agent will have a ready network of professionals and can connect their clients with key figures like staging specialists, contractors, site inspectors, legal professionals, and mortgage brokers.

What steps should you take before hiring a real estate agent?

No matter where you are on your property buying or selling journey, it's never too early to enlist the help of a real estate agent. The earlier the better, because a good agent can set you in the right direction –– especially if it's your first time buying or selling real estate.

First, you'll want to get pre-approved for a mortgage. Armed with this documentation, you’re ready to search for a real estate agent (more on where to find them below). When assembling potential real estate candidates, come up with questions that are pertinent to your buying and/or selling experience. Don’t be afraid to come right out and ask for what you need –– a qualified and capable agent will always have answers ready. Here are some examples of initial questions to pose:

• How many sales did you close last year?
• When is the best time to put my property on the market?
• How do you intend to sell my property?
• How do you intend to help me buy a new or additional property?
• How much will it cost to sell my property?

We recommend interviewing at least three candidates before making your decision. Be sure to request references for each, and follow up on all of them –– don't leave it to a gut feeling. Acting on instinct is natural and working with someone you’ve got “a good feeling about” is important, but be sure to combine these strategies with proven, effective business moves.

Where should you look for a real estate agent?

 For potential property buyers and sellers who don’t consider themselves  particularly connected or business-savvy, the most common ways to find real estate agents can generally be grouped into four categories:

• Referrals - One of the most common avenues for connecting with a real estate agent is via referral. Suggestions from business associates, friends, family, or your real estate lawyer can give you a solid idea of who is the best real estate professional for your situation. Even real estate agents can provide referrals to other agents if they feel that a colleague is better suited for the job.
• Advertisements - They are everywhere –– and they are categorically effective. Real estate agent advertisements are featured in local newspapers, on television, and even on billboards. Advertisements work because they bring agents directly to your attention. However, connecting with a popular local agent who has a large clientele (which is typically how they can afford to advertise) doesn’t necessarily mean that they are ideal for you. If you opt to pursue an agent found through advertisements, you should still plan to ask plenty of questions and request references from their previous clients.
• Active Listings - If you are looking to buy a property –– or even have a soft interest –– you might find yourself attending various open houses in your desired area. These types of interactions present great opportunities for connecting with real estate agents. If you like what you see (especially if the listing agent has staged the property to suit your tastes) but you aren’t yet ready to make a move, ask for a business card and keep them in mind for when you are ready.
• Online - Solutions can almost always be found online –– if you know where to search. Website platforms like Zillow provide visitors with a wide database of buying and selling listings, making it easy to connect with real estate agents.

 What should I look for when selecting a real estate agent?

 While referrals and online websites like Realtor.com make the process easier, it’s still important to do some additional assessing. Having an agent to assist you in your real estate search is of the utmost importance. But, as we’ve discovered from the above points, no two agents are alike. One agent’s expertise might be beneficial to some but not to others. It’s important to know what it is you are looking for in your real estate search so you can pair with the right representative. Here are a few key traits –– personal and professional –– to look for in a real estate agent:

• Local Knowledge - It's not enough to be an industry expert if your agent doesn’t know much about local real estate trends. Sellers looking to list their property require an agent on their side who knows their neighborhood, faults and all. Buyers need someone who can provide more than just a general multiple listing search. An effective real estate agent uses their downtime to brush up on more than just the basics. Ask if they know about specific information, like local history and lore, crimes, and even rumored hauntings.  The more detailed, the better.
• Honesty - A real estate agent is, essentially, a salesperson. And making a living as a salesperson is no easy feat –– unless you're good at it. If an agent can't manage to distance themselves from the tired and unfair clichés associated with selling a commodity like a property (think "used car salesman" stereotypes), they likely won't end up turning a profit. As an agent, the best way around this hurdle is to be honest. Honesty is the best policy in almost every situation. You should be able to tell within the first five minutes of meeting a prospective agent whether or not they are honest. When assessing honesty in a real estate agent, trust your intuition. The rest will fall into place.
• Organization - Just about any working professional with a committed sense of organization and attention to detail has already climbed past the halfway point to achieving success, whatever their industry. Organized real estate agents take superior photographs of their client's properties, communicate effectively with potential buyers (directly and/or via social media), return phone calls promptly, and always arrive at appointments on time.
• Presentation - This one might seem like a no-brainer; however, the devil is in the details. A great agent knows how to make a great first impression: pressed shirts, shined shoes, and so on. Here’s a tip: Once you’ve met with a prospective agent for the first time, consider the second impression at your next meeting. If you’re laid back and looking for the same, see if they picked up on that vibe –– maybe at your follow-up visit, they’ve ditched the tie and unbuttoned their first button. It’s all about connecting — physically and figuratively.
• Technologically Aware - An agent with a confident grasp of technology is going to stand out, plain and simple. Whether it's reaching more prospective property buyers for their clients by way of social media or gaining greater insight into current trends within their region, a tech-savvy salesperson (who will also likely be more organized and efficient), will always be an asset.
• Tenacious - Persistence is the name of the game. So much of real estate involves cold-calling, advertising, marketing, plugging — whatever it takes. More agents pack it in after the first two years of obtaining their license than those who stick with it, so always try to look for an established agent with a solid industry reputation.

There you have it: the fundamental steps for finding, hiring, and working with a qualified real estate agent. Armed with this valuable information, you should be able to make better, more informed decisions about what to do when buying or selling a property. Happy hunting!