What Qualities Should You Look for in a REALTOR?

By Chris Petry

While it’s tempting to say you’re already halfway there by selecting Berkshire Hathaway
HomeServices Stouffer Realty to service your real estate needs, there are additional, equally important, qualifications one must consider when selecting a REALTOR to represent them. If you’ve been through the real estate process before, you’ve probably already made an internal checklist of what qualifications a REALTOR would need to possess. If you’ve never bought or sold a home before, you may not even know what to look for. That’s where we come in! So, what should you look for in an agent?

Accessibility – Real estate is not a 9-5 business and no one is more aware of that
expectation that the REALTORS themselves. While they are human and do require the
occasional break for rest and sustenance, good realtors NEVER make themselves
impossible to reach. They understand that some things just can’t wait and so they stay
accessible, to the best of their ability, to ensure all aspects of the transaction are
handled in a timely and professional manner.

Communication- Exceptional REALTORS prioritize exceptional communication. They
strive to explain every aspect of the real estate process in the shortest, most concise
manner possible. Shakespeare said, “brevity is the soul of wit.” An agent who knows
what they’re doing can explain what they’re doing in the simplest of terms. They’re not
tangential. They stay focused on the issue.

Knowledge of the Market- Any REALTOR worth their salt knows what’s going on in the
market, at the local and national level, and can apply that insider knowledge to the
handling of your real estate transaction. They stay ahead of trends and they know what
to expect.

Negotiation skills- When needed, a REALTOR is supposed to go to bat for you. Now we
don’t mean remove an actual bat from your house. There are more qualified
professionals for that little task! We mean in the baseball since. They step up to the
plate. They’re not afraid to open a dialogue with the other side of the transaction to
ensure the best outcome for you, their client. Keen negotiation skills are a must.

Knowledge of the most up-to-date tech and tools- The most effective agents in the
marketplace are utilizing the best tools available to them to help you achieve your real
estate dreams. They’ll engage with the most up to date tech, simplifying the process for
their clients. Ask any REALTOR you talk to what types of tools and services they will be
using to maximize your home’s exposure.

They’re client first- Like any customer service representative, a great agent will
prioritize their clients. They think about your needs and goals and work toward achieving the best possible outcome. They think about you, the client, first. Any commission last. It’s a people’s business!

They’re empathetic- They listen to your concerns. They try their best to relate to your
feelings and provide much-needed perspective and advice. They know emotions are
high, for both buyer and seller, and offer themselves as a springboard for your thoughts
and ideas.

They’re pro-active- The best agents stay ahead of the game. They’re already laying the
groundwork for the next step of the real estate process before the current step is
completed. They have considered the possibilities and have contingency plans in place.
They take the initiative, without being asked, to create a gameplan for meeting your
specific goals.

They’re honest- While it might be a cliché thing to say, honesty is very important. Good
agents will not keep you in the dark. They’ll keep you informed, telling you what you
need to hear. Even if it’s not exactly what you want to hear.

Sharp eye for detail- Agents should be extremely detail-oriented. There’s little room for
error. After all, there’s a lot at stake in a real estate transaction. Your home to be exact.
Sharp agents will identify inconsistencies and errors before their clients and outline
ways to address them. They will review documentation with an eye akin to a jeweler,
searching feverishly for imperfections. They desire to make sure every transaction goes
as smoothly as possible.

No matter where you are on your real estate journey, we hope you’re a little more confident
now that you understand what traits should be inherent in a real estate professional. Never
settle! Luckily the agents that represent Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Stouffer Realty are among the best in the business!