Finding an agent you trust and who you enjoy working with can take a little work. If you’ve bought or sold real estate in the past, you will know that not all agents are created equally. It’s important that you work with an agent you trust, who will work tirelessly to help with your real estate needs. In our latest post, we will outline some of the best qualities of a top agent!
Your agent should fill many roles, ally, confidant, counselor, and advocate just to name a few. There are several personality traits top agents will have in common and other sharp business-savvy skills they should possess. Below, we list some of our favorite traits of a Top Real Estate Agent in Chicago!
Qualities of a Top Real Estate Agent | What to Look for in Chicago
Honest
This is a no-brainer, but you will need to know your agent is being honest with you at all times. This means sometimes telling you things you might want to hear. They should be upfront with you about what they are doing to sell your home and what to expect throughout the entire process.
Problem Solver
A successful real estate transaction has several different moving parts that need to be accomplished. No two transactions are alike and there is always going to be an issue that comes up along the way. A good real estate agent is going to have to be someone who is a good getting through obstacles and providing solutions when there is a problem that comes up.
Engaging
Your agent should know how to draw people in. How to make them want to know more about a property. They should have excellent conversational skills and not make you feel as if there is an alternate motive. Thier personality should shine through, and not appear robotic or to always say the right thing. People want to feel comfortable, and working with someone who makes them feel at ease is a terrific start.
Attention to Detail
You are paying your agent for a reason. They should have all bases covered. They should tend to things you may not have even thought of. Moving your car out of the driveway for photos, taking down your kid’s diploma during a showing, hiding the trash cans when people view the home… these are all small things, but they have big subconscious effects on your potential buyers.
Motivated
A great agent will love what they do. Some people love real estate and they genuinely love the process of helping people buy and sell homes. They are motivated beyond money, and instead simply LOVE being good at what they do.
Knowledgeable
Your real estate agent should be an expert in their field and be able to advise you on the complexities of selling your house. During your initial conversation they should demonstrate their knowledge and expertise of the local real estate market. Be sure to write down some questions before you speak with your prospective real estate agent to help gauge their level of expertise.
Proactive
They should always be one step ahead of you. They should also gently push you if things need to get done. They know what it takes to sell, and they should work with you to make those things happen.
Some agents will put in little effort and hope for a buyer to come along. This isn’t the strategy of a top agent!
Be Well Connected
A good real estate agent will have a lot of connections and will be able to leverage their connections to help sell your house faster. They will also have a network of professionals in the industry that they can refer to you as well (such as a great handyman, home inspector, or mortgage officer).
They Listen
We all know those people who talk over you. The ones who you have a conversation with, but you know they haven’t heard a word you said.
Each situation is different and a good agent will listen to your needs, goals, and expectations from the sale. It is your house and your voice should not go unheard.
However, you are hiring a professional for a reason, and you should always factor in their opinion when making a decision about your house.
They Have References
Their list of references shouldn’t be a cherry-picked list of family members or friends they have worked with in the past but they should be willing and able to to provide with a list of references for the most recent transactions they have completed in the area.