5 Things To Look for When Choosing A Real Estate Agent

Fun fact: there are over 10,000 Real Estate agents in the Austin area alone. Whether it's a close family friend, an old college roommate, or your best friend's cousin's wife, chances are, you probably know a Realtor one way or another. It's always easy to go with the most convenient choice for a Realtor when you begin your purchase or selling process, but is that convenient choice necessarily the best choice? 

There are so many moving parts in a Real Estate transaction, so it is extremely important that you choose a Realtor that will ensure your needs are met to the fullest extent. Question is, what separates an average agent from a GREAT agent? Well, we've put a list together of must have characteristics that any great agent would have.

1. Reliability

There is nothing more frustrating than working with somebody you can't depend on. Your agent should always be quick to respond to emails or texts, answer your questions, ease your concerns, and follow through on their promises. If your agent promises you that they will get something done, they do it. If not, it may be time to look elsewhere. 

2. Trust

Trust is the foundation of every relationship. If you cannot trust someone, you cannot work with them. Throughout a Real Estate transaction several very personal details will be shared with your agent such as your financial situation, credit history, and much more. Confidentiality is of the utmost importance, so it's crucial you choose to work with an agent that will honor and respect your privacy and always put your best interest before their own.

3. Communication

Your Real Estate agent is somebody you will have to work closely with for an extended period of time, so it's important to know you can communicate with them easily and quickly whenever need be. Your agent should be able to be open, honest, and straightforward with their communication at all times.

4. Local Knowledge

Working with an agent that has local knowledge gives you a definite advantage over other buyers or sellers. They will be able to offer you knowledge about the different areas around the city and best find you a home that fits your wants and needs and market your property in the best way possible to ensure you get top dollar. 

5. Good Reputation

You're likely to get recommendations from friends or family who have used realtors they were pleased with in the past, but it's best to interview multiple agents for the job. Take the time to do some research and read online reviews on agents you are considering working with. You can easily find reviews on places like Google, Zillow, Yelp, and other sites. If an agent has lots of wonderful reviews and a great reputation, that's a pretty good sign that that's somebody you should consider working with!