There are lots of agents out there unfortunately there are also a lot of BAD ONES. They all say they want to work for you and will do “whatever it takes!” But how are you ever supposed to know that you found the right one? What are some of the things that you look for in a good realtor?
We have put together our Top 5 signs of a great real estate agent!
They should ALWAYS come highly recommended…
Ask your friends, co-workers, family and your friends who have recently bought or sold a house. We are not just looking for people who “know” a realtor we are looking for people that have recently gone through a home purchase or a home sale with a realtor involved, these are typically the best references. Be sure to read online reviews (facebook,yelp,google,bbb,zillow,etc) and see what other people are saying about working with that realtor. An experienced and reputable realtor should have plenty of 5 star reviews from many of these sites. Do your homework and do you due diligence before you settle on one, it doesn’t hurt to get a couple different options at first. Don’t forget you are basically committing yourself to that agent for months and months at a time while they help you buy a home or sell a home, so its best to make sure you can count on that person.
They should be tech-savvy…
People shop online for EVERYTHING especially real estate. Make sure your agent has a visible presence on sites likes Zillow, Trulia, and Redfin, They should know how to get your listing in front of the right people, which sites work the best for Pueblo area, and they must use professional photography when uploading photos to the sites. They should be able to text or email back and forth with you without any communication issues. How they are presenting themselves online, is how they will present your house so make sure and do your research initially.. If you find that they only have a basic profile, have missing information in reference to the house, and bad photos, they could possible take the same approach with you and your home. Make sure they have the skills to present your property in the best possible light!
They should ALWAYS be working. At least they appear to be…
I am sure I do not have to tell you that Real Estate can be cut throat at times.Your agent has to be someone who is working hard, every minute of every day! It should be someone that has clear cut goals and who has a lot of passion and drive. How you do one thing is how you do everything, and someone who appears to be chasing down a dream, will likely be someone who works hard to make you happy. They should be sending you information at 2 am when they think of something new. (By email of course!) They should be keeping you updated and checking in with you often as new buyers come forward. Some of this may seem like its a little excessive and these are just examples. My point is that you want someone who is HUNGRY and will work their tale off for you.
They know the neighborhood…
Even better they live in the neighborhood or they live nearby. Having someone with knowledge of the area will help them best market your property.They will have an understanding of the local demographics and what they are looking for in a home. They will be able to answer all questions about the neighborhood and really be able to sell the location to potential buyers. If they love the area, they will be able to convey to others why they will too.
They take it seriously…
Professionalism goes a long way. Working with someone who is always punctual, who keep their appointments and who follows through goes a long way. If you agent is frantic, running around and appears scattered… they probably are. Work with someone who properly manages their time, and is focused on you and your needs when you are meeting. They should be able to update you on nearby sales, interest in your home, and what they are doing to actively sell your house!
Remember, at the end of the day, real estate agents are salesmen. They want to sell your home to make their commission. Make sure you do not fall for false promises or over inflated listing prices. Instead, look for agents who are knowledgeable, have great reviews and who are able to educate and walk you through the entire selling process!