Every real estate transaction has the potential for challenging or stressful complexities, whether you’re a seasoned seller or a first-time buyer. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be difficult, and having a trusted real estate agent by your side will make a significant difference. Having a quality agent by your side can put your mind at ease by answering your questions or directing you to a professional who can. Your agent should have the answers whether you’re concerned about how the process works or what you might need to complete before selling your home. The goal is to find someone you work well with who will advocate on your behalf, sell your home for top dollar, and help you get the best deal on your dream home.
Finding a reputable agent should be easy with many active quality agents, but what makes a great real estate agent? There are several key factors to consider when considering whether an agent is a proper fit. These agents should be personable, trustworthy, and have expert communication skills. They should also have knowledge of the current Dilworth real estate market, neighborhood demographics, proper pricing strategies, and insider tips.
Here are five tips from Dilworth realtors Deely & Laws on what to look for when finding the perfect agent to handle your real estate transactions.
Quality communication skills
Regardless of the type of transaction you’re dealing with, an agent who isn’t great at communication can make the process stressful. Whether you prefer e-mail, phone calls, text messages, or in-person meetings, an agent’s ability to listen and communicate should remain steady. Also, pay careful attention to whether you feel heard, as you want someone who actively listens to your needs and wants.
Real estate markets are highly time-sensitive, so being kept up-to-date is vital to the situation. Maintaining constant contact could mean saving precious time and opportunities, which translates into thousands of dollars saved. This should be an easy trait to pick up from the beginning and one of the first things you factor in. A great agent knows that communication should come across in every aspect of the process, from contracts to closing dates, and should do it well.
There are some easy questions to ask when determining whether an agent has the communication skills you desire.
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Do they actively listen? Do they ask follow-up questions to ensure they understand your wants and needs?
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Do they keep you involved throughout the process?
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Are they responsive to your e-mails and phone calls? If you had to leave a message, did they respond quickly?
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Do they give you a good amount of information? They should provide plenty of information about themselves, the process, and how they can help you.
Remember, communication is a critical part of the real estate world, and you want to ensure the person advocating for you knows how to excel at it. If they aren’t going to be open and honest through every step, they probably aren’t the agent for you. Along with communication comes listening skills, which is the next tip.
They are good listeners
With communication comes listening, which is another significant aspect for agents. While it’s essential to have someone who communicates well with you, it won't make much difference if they aren’t actively listening and attempting to understand what you want. As the client, most of the talking initially should fall on you. This will ensure your agent understands your needs and wants down to the last detail. Pay attention to whether your agent repeats your needs and asks questions to show they are genuinely listening and care about what you want. You may also consider paying attention to their body language, hand gestures, attentiveness, and if their approach suits your needs.
They have experience and expertise
The traits are slightly different, but both are significant in the real estate world. A great agent will have expertise in their area, including home valuations, pricing, negotiations, etc. This trait helps save time and money when purchasing, avoid costly mistakes, and earn more money when selling your home. However, simply having expertise is not enough; they should also have experience.
Your chosen agent should have had time to get their feet wet and determine their best assets. This means not choosing someone who just got their license, hasn’t sold many homes, or is new to the area. They should have a solid network of professionals to help them and you throughout the process. Researching and asking around is a good way to learn about their experience. Ask friends, family, and neighbors who have recently moved to the area, look through websites, and find local companies they’ve worked with. Once you’ve narrowed it down, look at referrals, previous homes they’ve sold, and accolades.
They know the current market
Understanding the current market and trends is imperative to every real estate transaction. They should understand the specific regions' market trends, neighborhood demographics, national market trends, and other insights you wouldn’t. If your chosen agent doesn’t have particular knowledge of Dilworth homes and the associated trends, the buying or selling search likely won’t go as planned.
The real estate market often fluctuates in minor and significant ways, and being in the know is essential to take prompt action. An experienced agent will know how quickly homes are selling, the best ways to market your home, and how fast you’ll need to move on making an offer on your dream home. Utilizing the tips on ensuring they have experience and expertise will also help you learn whether they know the markets.
They have an extensive network
Real estate agents continuously work with other professionals in this line of work. This is a critical component of real estate transactions because it takes an entire team to finalize every detail. Having a network helps if they can’t answer your specific questions because they’ll know someone who can. Real estate agents have vital resources that are essential for buying and selling.
The most important thing to do throughout the process is research. Look for these qualities, talk to family and friends, ask for referrals, look at reviews, and check for previous work history and references. Doing this will help you make an informed decision.
Ready to enter the real estate market?
When you’re ready to look at homes for sale in Dilworth, contact The Laws Collective. As experts in the North Carolina real estate market, Lana and her team are happy to help.
