Choosing a real estate agent is a significant financial decision whether buying or selling a house. After all, your home is one of the most important purchases you’ll ever make, and a good agent can pay serious dividends.
For buyers, they can help you find a home within your budget and negotiate on your behalf. If you’re selling a house, a trustworthy real estate agent can give you honest advice about how to prep your home for sale and ensure you follow laws and guidelines so your sale goes smoothly.
If you’re looking for a new Realtor, here are seven signs of a trustworthy real estate agent.
Treats You Well Regardless of Your Circumstances
Your real estate agent’s actions toward you significantly reveal their integrity. For example, they should be willing to help you regardless of the type of mortgage you have and your housing budget.
If you’re a first-time homebuyer, choose a real estate agent who is patient, willing to answer all your questions, and happy to negotiate on your behalf, even if it means less commission for them.
If you have a history of bankruptcy, work with a real estate agent who understands the challenges of buying a house after bankruptcy and is willing to go the extra mile to help you find a home you love.
Quick Communication
Another sign your real estate agent is trustworthy is that they care about responding to your questions. You shouldn’t have to wait days on end for a response. A quick answer from your agent should show you that you’re a priority.
It’s also a good sign if your real estate agent responds honestly to your questions and gives you realistic answers, especially when doing that will benefit you more than them. This is a sign of a true advocate using their knowledge to protect you in the complex world of real estate.
Real Estate expert Bill Gassett of Maximum Real Estate Exposure explains that communication is one of the most vital traits of any exceptional Realtor.
Most consumers expect proper communication skills, and rightly so. It is one of the most essential aspects of customer service. A lack of trust can quickly ensue when an agent does not respond in a reasonable time frame. Anyone selling or buying a home should expect their hired person to be attentive to their needs.
Ethical Standards and Professionalism
Home sales sometimes fall through. Plenty of things can cause this to happen, but quality real estate agents can help you avoid many. Professionals will work with their counterparts on the other side of the deal to ensure both sides have what they need and do what’s necessary to make it to the closing table. However, an ethical real estate agent will never ask you to hide things about your home or skip steps. They’ll be professional throughout the process, and you should be confident they’ll represent you well.
Another thing to consider is a real estate agent’s reputation in the community. Look through online reviews and ask your friends and family for recommendations. This can be one of the best ways to get an unvarnished review of working with a particular Realtor.
Listen to Your Requests and Concerns
Buyers and sellers are naturally stressed about this sometimes complex process, and the best Realtors know how to put their minds at ease. It’s vital that your real estate agent listens to and understands your requests or concerns. These could range from worries over the state of your home to issues with a particular offer or anything else on your mind.
Great agents can often develop practical solutions or reassure nervous clients that things are on track.
Honest About Commissions
Real estate agents should be upfront and honest about their commission structure. They should explain precisely how and when they get paid and what percentage of the home sale price goes to them. No matter what they say, buyers and sellers should remember you can always negotiate real estate commissions or use one of numerous discount real estate brokers.
Even saving fractions of a percent on real estate commissions, especially with large home sales, can save you thousands of dollars. So, take the time to research companies with the lowest real estate commission fees.
Experienced Track Record
Choosing a realtor with a solid track record is also important. If they regularly get several offers on the homes they sell, then it shows they have experience in pricing properties and presenting them to buyers. Although you might want to help out a friend or family who is a Realtor, it’s best to choose an agent with the experience you need to handle whatever pops up during the transaction.
How Do I Find a Trustworthy Real Estate Agent?
Taking the time to find a trustworthy real estate agent is almost always worth the upfront work. Here are some of the best ways to conduct your search.
Get Personal Recommendations
Chances are, you know a couple of homeowners. Whether they’re friends, family, or coworkers, someone you trust has used a real estate agent, often within the past few years. Ask them for recommendations, but be specific; ask what they liked and didn’t like about their agent. Satisfied clients are often more than happy to sing the praises of their Realtor.
Read Reviews
If you don’t know anyone who can recommend a real estate agent, you can always do a deep dive into online reviews. You can learn a lot about many Realtors this way.
Don’t expect a perfect showing of five-star reviews, however. A few negative reviews don’t mean a real estate agent is untrustworthy as long as positive ones outnumber them. However, those with over a handful of low ratings are likely worth skipping.
Attend Open Houses and Meet Agents
When you go to open houses in your area, talk to the agent hosting it. See how they interact with people viewing the home. Get a sense of their energy and how they handle themselves.
Follow These Tips to Find Your Perfect Realtor Match
Finding someone experienced, trustworthy, and willing to put your best interests first can feel daunting if you’ve never worked with a real estate agent. However, following the tips above, would-be buyers and sellers should have no trouble locating their ideal partner. With some help, they can guide you through the process so you can buy or sell a house quickly, pack up, and move on to your next place.