What to Look for in a Real Estate Agent
by Tom Levine
Real Estate Agents play an essential, critical role in the
process of buying and selling a home. You just simply cannot afford to work
with an agent that does not exhibit top-scale professional values. We're
talking about your primary investment, and the happiness of you and your loved
ones.
Here are the 3, most important things that I've encountered,
that I believe contribute towards excellence in the profession of Real Estate
agents.
1.To Serve
2.To Know
3.To Listen 
1.To Serve:
Real Estate is a service
business, and homeowners and buyers must be treated with the respect that they
deserve. A Real Estate Agent must demonstrate that they care about you, and
that their primary concern is to serve your needs, and not their
own.
a)Look for agents that carry cell phones everywhere they go, and
that have no problem taking late night calls, or being interrupted during a
Saturday morning snooze. This isn't a rib of steak you're buying (or selling).
It is more important than everything and anything, and it can be a stressful,
anxious process to go through. Customers deserve a confidant, and to be treated
with the utmost of care.
b)Avoid agents that think they know everything.
Seek out agents yearning to find out about you, and your likes, dislikes, and
opinions. Avoid agents hail-bent on trying to prove what an encyclopedia of
wisdom and advice they are. You're thoughts matter too!
c)Your time is
important. If you want to see 20 properties or more, don't let anyone stop you.
A Real Estate agent that encourages you to look, and explore, is more worthy of
your time, than an agent that tries to fit you into their busy schedule. This
is your buying experience, not theirs.
2.To Know:
I
believe that knowledge is gained through familiarity. So, having a real estate
agent that is familiar with the landscape of the land is of critical
importance.
a)I like agents that have lived in the area for a while,
that know all the names of the streets, and that know the high schools, the
local grocery stores, and the local parks.
b)I enjoy listening to an
agent's own personal experiences, as we drive through neighborhoods, or review
demographics. It's not as important to me that they're old, or young, or rich,
or hungry, or just like me, or nothing like me, or whatever. As long as the
stories are real, and are related, that's all that matters.
c)I think
an agent needs to be always on. Do they have access to all the information at
all times? Do they constantly look for new properties, or new values, and do
they have networked connections locally to appraisers, and loan officers, and
title companies? Are they always thinking about my circumstance, and trying to
connect the dots in my interest? I don't want to be sold on decisions that earn
commissions. I want to be guided to properties and professionals that best meet
my needs.
3.To Listen:
There is no greater communication
skill, then the ability to listen. Most of us find it next to impossible, to be
silent, and take it all in. We all strive to be the center of attention, the
story of the day, and the opinion worth listening to.
a)Real Estate
agents that master the art of listening can truly hone in on your needs. These
are the agents worth keeping in your rolodex, because they can tune in to your
desires, your personality, your financial profile, and all critical elements of
the deal, without your even being aware of it.
b)This is not so easy to
spot, because often times, the ability to listen is overlooked. A good
listener, after all, probably isn't speaking as much. But consider this: Is the
conversation mostly about you? Does the agent ask a lot of questions relating
to your personal tastes, experiences, and ideas? Do you find yourself walking
away, feeling a satisfaction about the dialog? These are all signs that you've
just come into contact with a master listener.
c)And the real testament
to an agent that listens, is when they finally do speak. Usually, when they do
say something, it's really, really important, and right on target, and
completely unforgettable. Why? Because, they've spent most of their time
absorbing you and your situation, and then they nail you with the
bomb…Their recommendations that truly will change your life forever. I
swear to you, it's golden. You'll get a much better property bought or sold, if
you can find a real estate agent that knows how to listen.
We've enjoyed
providing this information to you, and we wish you the best of luck in your
pursuits. Remember to always seek out good advice from those you trust, and
never turn your back on your own common sense.
Disclaimer:
Statements and opinions expressed in the articles, reviews and other materials
herein are those of the authors. While every care has been taken in the
compilation of this information and every attempt made to present up-to-date
and accurate information, we cannot guarantee that inaccuracies will not occur.
The author will not be held responsible for any claim, loss, damage or
inconvenience caused as a result of any information within these pages or any
information accessed through this site.
Copyright 2005, by
Loans-Resource.Com , This article is available in full
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