What to Expect From Your Real Estate Agent
In the Real Estate industry, a “seasoned” agent can mean an agent who’s been an agent for decades and has sold thousands of homes, but it can also mean an agent who’s survived trial-by-fire. Across the board, when you look at a seasoned agent, you’ll find quite a few qualities and habits that they all (or most) possess. Your relationship with your realtor matters, especially with so much of your money on the line. If your property is in the state of Georgia, I’d love to help you… but if you’re outside of the state of Georgia, the below tips will help you with selecting an agent and to know if you’re in good hands already. This list is by no means exhaustive, but these are the things I see most often with experienced Realtors.
Qualities to look for in a realtor
Consistent communication
- Every minute feels like an hour when you’re waiting to hear from your agent! You MUST be a priority to them, first and foremost. When I’m with a client, I do not take other calls… If you call and don’t get me, that’s ok! I return calls and messages as quickly as reasonably possible, always same day.
- If your agent is sending you properties that do not fit what you’re wanting, I assure you, your Realtor wants to help find THE ONE… let them know and they’ll happily adjust your search criteria.
- If at any time you don’t understand something your agent communicates, ask questions! My job as an agent is to equip you with the knowledge you need to make decisions- and if you don’t understand something, they should be able to explain it in depth and detail until you do.
Active listening skills
- When you talk to your agent, they listen for what you say AND what you don’t say. I listen to understand what your priorities, wants, and needs are. Getting to know you as a person helps me to understand your priorities and vision for your next home, so that I can best assist you.
- What kind of questions is your agent asking when looking at a home? Part of showing homes involves asking for client feedback regarding certain amenities/features… this helps me to gather information from clients in an organic way (it also helps keep us focused when our attention gets distracted).
Organized
- There are SO MANY small tasks in a real estate transaction- and they’re all vital! An experienced agent with systems to keep everything on track through the whole process makes all the difference.
- At any given time, you can call your agent to ask for a status update on the transaction… and they should be able to answer that question with relative ease.
- I have checklists for every stage of the transaction- whether you’re selling a home in Houston County, buying a home to move to the Central GA area, or investing in our thriving economy. While not all agents work by a checklist, they should have some systems in place for ensuring all details are taken care of.
Experience
- The market is very unpredictable right now, but that’s OK! Any realtor who has quality experience will be able to advise and respond to the market in the way you need. Navigating market conditions is vital to success in selling or buying a home, no matter what the conditions look like.
- Market conditions tend to shift from one year to the next…. as an experienced agent in Warner Robins, I’ve seen the recession from 2008-2015 as well as the frenzy that was 2020 and 2021. Agents have to learn how to adapt and change with the market and with the needs of the public.
If you’re new here, hi! I’m Hope, I am a Georgia native and live in Houston County, GA with my husband, 2 kids, and 3 dogs. When I’m not selling real estate, you’ll find me spending time with my family, reading, listening to music, or playing with the dogs.
I’m a Realtor, an Accredited Buyer’s Representative, and a Military Relocation Professional. I love learning and problem solving… it’s my favorite! I’ve made it my mission to empower my clients to make well-informed decisions. I’ve been with Golden Key Realty, Inc. since 2012 and love my work family. If you have any questions about real estate in general or about buying, renting, or selling a property, let’s chat!
