Tips on How to find a great local real estate agent.

A real estate agent has to learn a lot to receive their license, and whether they are a rookie or a seasoned veteran, you should expect them to be friendly, understand the local real estate market, have a fair degree of experience about the real estate world, and advise you on the best practices related to buying or selling property.

Recently, the Forbes Real Estate Council suggested other traits to expect so that you know you are working with an exceptional agent. The first (and probably the most important thing to expect from your agent) is emotional intelligence. Yup. You read it here. “You don’t want an agent who is simply trying to win your business to rack up another sale,” says Forbes Council member Megan Micco. “You want someone who sees you as an individual and is genuinely curious about your financial AND emotional needs.” She goes on to say that your agent should be able to guide you based on what is best for your personal situation – not his or her own pocketbook. “Good agents are good at selling themselves so it can be hard to discern the true emotional intelligence of a really great agent. Do your homework, read reviews and call references. Also, trust your instincts – personal chemistry is worth its weight in gold.”

There is MUCH more than meets the eye when you buy a home. It’s not simply a matter of putting down an earnest money deposit and getting a mortgage for the balance of the offer price. “There are a lot of variables that go into crafting a successful offer, particularly in a seller’s market,” says Micco. “Working with a real estate professional who is experienced with a wide range of financing options and understands when to show additional cash reserves or reduce the down payment to create more headroom for appraisal deltas will give you a serious leg up against competitive bids on offer day.”

What about surprises that might lay ahead? When you only have a few minutes to walk through a property before making an offer in a fast-moving market like we have today, it’s difficult to anticipate the surprises you might encounter when actually living in a home. Enter your real estate agent, who should be able to point out how spaces can be most efficiently used and considerations related to your day-to-day living that you might never even consider. Are you okay with your garage being at one end of the house and your kitchen at the other end when hauling in your groceries? Micco asks question such as, “How might a kitchen pantry be moved to a hallway closet to make way for a larger countertop?” and, “Did you consider that the cul-de-sac home at the base of a hill will make for a challenging uphill climb every time your kids want to go for a bike ride?” She also says your agent should be able to find out if the backyard allows for a permitted setback to build that Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) you’ve been contemplating, or ask thoughtful questions to deeply understand the needs of your family.

Micco admits that in the end, you don’t pay a great agent for their time. You invest in his or her expertise, wisdom, and, equally important — their network. “A great agent has excellent relationships with lenders, title companies, attorneys, vendors, inspectors, appraisers, city planners and especially other agents. People like to work with other people they trust, and a well-respected and trustworthy agent will be able to make things happen for their clients that second-tier realtors simply can’t accomplish. There are so many little things that go into consummating a transaction that you want the advantages that come with a realtor who is a master networker.”

Your agent also knows how to handle conflict — an important trait to have when buying or selling a home, deemed to be one of the most expensive and stressful financial decisions you’ll make in a lifetime. “With this stress comes the potential for conflict with your spouse, kids, parents or other parties involved in the transaction,” says Micco, and the Council agrees. “A top agent with exceptional emotional intelligence is also adept at helping groups of people resolve conflicts. They can recognize the emotional triggers of each party and help develop strategies to keep everyone on the same page and out of the weeds.”

In the end, trust your gut and don’t settle

Source: Forbes | TBWS

Who you work with matters, contact Leo Namiot today to get introduced to a great local real estate agen