How to ACTUALLY Choose your Realtor
Choosing a real estate agent can feel like shopping for bottled water. There are slight differences in presentation but at the end of the day it’s still just water, right? Sure, some bottles are more sleek with bells and whistles while others cost less and can get the job done.
When you’re looking to hire the best real estate agent, how can you evaluate them, so in the end, you are working with a realtor who will meet your expectations and achieve what you need? After all, real estate is a BIG deal and is one of the top contributors to financial stability in someone’s life.
In the realm of real estate, making the right choice when hiring an agent can significantly impact your property buying or selling experience. The selection process goes beyond simply considering their credentials, fees or number of years in the business. Some agents might offer to save you money on their selling commission (usually 2.5% - 3% of the sale price per side) but there can still be a cost picking the wrong agent.
Going back to our water bottle analogy, if you pour each of the bottles into glasses they should all look the same. Now that you’ve removed the shiny and enticing wrapper, it’s time to evaluate your options. The same goes for chosing an agent. The best way to actually choose your realtor is to evaluate the following and decide if they can meet your needs:
Learn About the Realtor’s EXPERIENCE
This is both qualitative and quantitative. When it comes to real estate, experience matters—a lot. The seasoned real estate agent brings invaluable insights into the local market, having weathered various market cycles and challenges. Their years in the field allow them to anticipate trends, accurately price properties, and navigate complex negotiations with ease. Experience also fosters strong industry connections, which can lead to faster, smoother transactions. An experienced agent is like a well-versed captain, steering your real estate journey with confidence and expertise. Keep in mind, most real estate agents offer free no-commitment consultations regardless of their years of experience.
2. Review the Realtor’s PORTFOLIO
A Realtor’s portfolio is combined of two things: properties sold and reviews received. To evaluate their portfolio, look into their Zillow page, which usually has a list of properties they’ve helped their clients buy and properties they’ve listed/sold.
A real estate agent's portfolio is a showcase of their past successes. It provides a glimpse into their ability to deliver results. When evaluating an agent's portfolio, pay close attention to the type of properties they've worked with, the variety of transactions, and the price range. A diverse portfolio demonstrates adaptability and expertise across different segments of the market. Perhaps there is an agent who has worked with a lot with condos recently or agents who specialize in vacant land. Different properties require different market knowledge and having an agent who has similar “solds” in their portfolio easily becomes an asset for you. Moreover, look for evidence of consistently favorable outcomes, including properties sold at or above asking price and reasonable time on the market. A strong portfolio serves as a testament to an agent's competence and reliability.
Another important aspect to evaluate in a realtor’s portfolio are reviews. For reviews, consider checking out their Google Business Profile. What do the reviews say about them? Maybe even check out the brokerage’s Google Business Profile for more details. For example, “Alana Mey, a Bellingham Realtor,” has a robust personal Google Profile, but her brokerage, Brandon Nelson Partners Realtors or BNP Relators is also just as highly-spoken of with her name appearing there several times in the review section. Other good areas to check out are their personal website, Facebook Page, or Homelight page, which may offer a wider breadth of reviews.
3. Consider the Realtor’s PERSONALITY
This is entirely subjective and key to choosing the realtor that will work best for you. On the fun side, does this broker enjoy similar hobbies to you? See if they have an Instagram account that showcases those things. On the professional side, think about coworkers you’ve collaborated with in the past, were there personalities you enjoyed? Some you struggled with? Being upfront with a prospective realtor about what kind of communication style works best for you can certainly help them cater to your needs.
The opposite is also true, share what your communication style is. Do you enjoy a daily check-in? Do you prefer call, text, or email? Set your expectations during that interview process or review their website to see if the realtor discusses their preferred communication method. Realtors, of course, want to sign on with a new client, that is their business and their livelihood, but the best realtors will be honest with you and if they can meet your expectations.
But how do you get to know someone’s personality fast and when there is money on the line? Meet in person or in a way that allows you to see each other’s faces. The success behind seeing a persons face is because of the 7-38-55 Rule. Developed by Mehrabian during the 1960s, this “rule” indicates that only 7% of all communication is done by speaking words, whereas the nonverbal component of our daily communication, such as the tonality of our voice, make up 38% and 55% from the speaker's body language and facial expressions. This is one way to gather a lot about another person’s personality.
At the end of the day, you probably want to get started on buying or selling your home but taking the time to consider a realtor’s experience, portfolio, and personality will lead to a smoother transaction from start to finish for you and help you actually choose the best realtor.
Thank you for reading!
