Buying a home is a difficult and important decision. That’s why it’s essential to choose the best possible real estate professional to help guide you through the process and ensure a successful outcome: you in the home of your dreams.
Hiring the wrong real estate agent can be a disaster, so be sure to cut ties as soon as you realize you’ve made a mistake. According to Readers Digest, here are some ways to know you’ve hired the wrong agent:
-
- They don’t know your needs and wants. It’s critical that your agent knows your absolute must-haves for a home, such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, proximity to schools, as well as your wants, such as a fenced-in yard and a finished basement. You’re wasting your time with someone who’s suggesting homes outside of these parameters.
- They’re unresponsive. In today’s world, response time is everything, especially in hot markets where bids and offers move fast and you can miss great opportunities. With modern technology, there’s no excuse for an agent to not respond quickly by text, email, phone call or whatever your communication preference may be.
- They don’t know the area. The value of working with a real estate agent is their local expertise. If they don’t know the area you’re interested in inside out, down to the street level, then move on.
- They can’t answer your questions. Real estate agents should be a deep resource on all things related to the local market, the national market, housing regulations, the real estate process, tax law, the community, school districts, etc. If their responses are vague or nonexistent, that’s a clear red flag that you’re not working with a professional.
- They’re not creative. If you’re selling a home, effective marketing is critical for selling the house quickly and for the best possible price. If your agent isn’t going beyond the traditional MLS listing and yard sign, that could be a sign that you’re with the wrong person. Ask them about what steps they’re taking to market your property online and through social media, as well as how they plan to use video or other current technology, such as virtual tours and drone footage. They don’t need to do it all, but they should be doing something beyond the usual to get your home sold.
Most importantly, trust your gut. Your instincts will tell you whether or not the chemistry is right between you and your real estate agent. If something feels off, keep searching.