What to Look for When Choosing a Real Estate Agent

What to Look for When Choosing a Real Estate Agent

By Emily Hayes

If you are buying a house for the first time, you might believe one real estate agent is as good as the next. Unfortunately, that just isn’t true. According to Jaclyn Moraitis, “With roughly 2 million real estate agents in the United States, it can be easy to question how to pick the right agent.”[1] This article can help you find the best agent for your home selling or home buying needs. Jen Fischer believes journalistic ethics should be applied to the real field. She writes, “One of the first things I was taught upon entering the School of Journalism at the University of Utah was the Journalistic Creed written by Walter Williams in 1914.”[2] The principle of the creed was belief, when applied to real estate, it would be: “I believe in the profession of real estate.” That’s a great segue to the first thing to look for in an agent: commitment.

Commitment. The first thing you need to look for is an agent for whom real estate is a priority. Some agents see selling real estate as a part-time job. Lynn Miller, notes, “Someone who makes it their mission to study the market every day can offer a global and historical view of current conditions. You need that expertise on your side or you could leave a lot of money on the table.”[2]

Trustworthiness. Closely associated with commitment is trust. It is also the second point of the journalist creed. When Fischer applies it to real estate, it reads, “I believe that the profession of real estate is a public trust; that all connected with it are, to the full measure of their responsibility, trustee for the public; that acceptance of a lesser service than the public service is a betrayal of this trust.” Social media can help you find someone trustworthy. Moraitis notes, “[Using social media] will allow you to see their current and previous listings, the quality of the photography, how they interact with clients and friends, and how committed they are to their business.” Miller adds, “Customers love to tell others about their best and worst experiences.”

Great communications. The third thing you need in a good real estate agent is consistent communication. Moraitis explains, “The way an agent communicates with you can be very telling of how committed they will be to you as their client. Did it take them hours and days to respond to your initial inquiry, or did you get a response back within just a few minutes? When speaking to an agent on the phone, do they sound confident in what they do and the market area you’re looking in? Does the agent ask the proper questions to really dive into your real estate needs? You’ll want to feel sure that the agent is quick and effective in how they communicate to you.” Miller agrees. She writes, “A responsive agent can reduce your anxiety and fear by always being there for you.”

Tech savviness. Miller notes, “Because 98% of consumers start their home search online, your real estate agent must know how to find the best houses and market your house online. If their website is a mess or their social media is amateurish, that’s a sign that they aren’t keeping up their skills.”

Success. Success is a good indicator of a great agent. Results matter. Moraitis explains, “Overall, the agent you’re considering should have familiarity with the local area you’re listing/buying in and always have a clear and effective marketing plan. They should ask questions about your home or questions about what you’re looking for in a home so that they fully understand your real estate needs. They should be friendly and approachable and always put your needs above theirs when it comes to doing business!”

Miller insists great agents treat clients like family (or, at least, like great friends). Fischer insists the last principle of journalistic creed might be the most important principle for a real estate agent to follow. Adapted for real estate, it reads, “I believe that the Realtor which succeeds best — and best deserves success — fears God and honors Man (again, karma is real); is stoutly independent, unmoved by a pride of opinion or greed of power, constructive, tolerant but never careless, self-controlled, patient, always respectful of its clients/colleagues but always unafraid, is quickly indignant at injustice; is unswayed by the appeal of privilege (fair housing) or the clamor of the mob; seeks to give every man a chance and, as far as law and honest wage and recognition of human brotherhood (society) can make it so, an equal chance; is profoundly patriotic while sincerely promoting international goodwill and cementing world-comradeship; is a profession of humanity, of and for today’s world.”

If you are looking for the kind of real estate agent/team described above, I, along with my husband Todd, would love to work with you — whether your selling home or looking for a new one.

Footnotes
[1] Jaclyn Moraitis, “What to Consider When Choosing a Real Estate Agent,” Huntington Now, 17 July 2020.
[2] Jen Fischer, “Fischer: Adapting journalistic ethics to the world of real estate,” Standard-Examiner, 17 July 2020.
[3] Lynn Miller, “7 Things to Look for in a Real Estate Agent,” Hometown Stations, 22 June 2020.