Back Home7 Traits of a Good Listing Agent
July 16th, 2014 by keithandkinsey
Honesty and Integrity – When you list your home with an agent, you are putting a lot of trust in them. You want someone who can keep any of your personal and financial information confidential, and someone who will do business with your best interest in mind. Look for an agent that is honest an ethical. This is a little difficult to judge on an initial interview. So ask for referrals and go with your instincts. If you feel like they are just telling you what you want to hear just to get your listing, they may not be the best fit.
Good Communicator – Communication is key in any type of service business. Your agent should listen and understand your needs and respond in a reasonable time frame to questions. The real estate business is a night and weekend sort of business, so look for an agent who responds to your calls or emails even after 5:00, but also respect the fact that they do have a life outside of their business.
Knowledgeable – Your agent should have knowledge of your local market. They should find the comparable homes that have recently sold, and understand the pros and cons of your particular home. An agent should also have the knowledge to explain all your options, and understand all the contract language involved in a real estate transaction.
Good negotiator – A tough negotiator will get you top dollar for your home. In the sellers’ market that we are currently in and if you let your agent price the home appropriately, you should get very close to asking price (if not above asking price) for your home. Look for an agent who enjoys negotiating and isn’t just out for an easy sale.
Educated – Only 32% of agents have made the extra effort to get professional designations through training above and beyond their licensing classes. Most good agents who are serious in their careers will have some sort of additional designation.
Experience – No two transactions in real estate are exactly the same. The more experience your agent has the more they have learned through challenging transactions, problem solving, and the variety of strange things that can pop up in a real estate transaction. There is nothing wrong with a new agent (sometimes they have more time available to help you), but make sure the newbie is being mentored or backed by someone more experienced.
Professional – All around an agent should be a professional. Their website and marketing should look professional, their actions should be professional, and all of the above traits will make them a professional.
