What do you look for in a RE agent?

Question

In a couple of weeks I'll be getting my RE license and I look forward to jumping right in. After spending a year in the wholesaling world and working with a bunch of agents, I learned more about what I don't want in an agent, than what I do, but here are some qualities I hope to bring to the table:

1. Reliablity -- I dealt with this time and time again. Agents that didn't return phone calls or emails, were late for meetups, or simply didn't show up at all. I want to be that agent that picks up the phone every time, returns every call and email promptly, and go by the mantra "15 minutes early is on time, on time is late, and 15 minutes late is YOU'RE FIRED!!"

2. Knowledge of specific RE niche -- I found many agents I worked with thought they were experts on everything: investing, home buying, home selling, commercial, green properties. Instead, I got a jack of all trades who was an expert in NOTHING. I'd like to focus on one or two areas (i'm thinking residential home buying as of now) and become the go to guy in my area.

3. Knowledge of the area -- Similar to #2, I had many agents who were willing to go to any area. While this opened up my options, it also limited the knowledge a lot of these agents could bring to the table. I'd prefer someone who knows a couple of towns inside and out, and can keep up on the ever changing RE landscape.

4. Attitude -- I found many agents had a really disturbing sense of entitlement. They felt if they showed me a bunch of properties, I owed them something. IMO, your job as an agent is to figure out what your client wants and attempt to give it to them. If they don't like what you show them, treat it like peeling away layers of an onion, until you can get to the core of what they're looking for. This is something that I ALWAYS wanted in an agent and have never been able to find.

Those are a few thoughts off the top of my head. Anyone else care to add to the list, please do!

Dale Osborn · Answer

The Ideal agent would have the following characteristics: 
1. Honest. 
2. Ethical. 
3. Listens to what customer wants instead of thinking of how the commission will be spent. 
4. Puts "needs and wants" of the customer or client ahead of personal "needs and wants". 
5. Able to communicate with Buyers & Sellers. 
6. Strong negotiator for the client - not self. 
7. Familiar with local area. 
8. Able to provide advice as to Lenders without getting a kick-back under the table. 
9. Able to provide advice as to Title Compamies without a kick-back under the table. 
0. Able to provide advice as to Insurance Companies without a kick-back under the table. 
1. Able to provide advice as to Home Warranty Companies without a kick-back under the table. 
2. Able to provide advice as to appraisers without a kick-back under the table. 
3. Does more than sticking a sign on the property, entering property data into the MLS and then prays it sells so can have a commission. 
Good Luck.

Kimberly S. · Answer

I believe you have it right; dedication, local knowledge, commitment and willingness to LISTEN are all critical traits of a successful real estate sales person when working with clients. My agency is part of a larger corporation (Better Homes and Gardens). They provide excellent training, but it all comes down to the last point, listening to your clients wants and needs may be the most critical and is often the most neglected.

Sage Jankowitz · Answer

Hey Realtyman,

I thought you have some great thoughts here. But question: Why do you feel any recommendation that comes with a kick-back is a bad thing?

IMHO, I think it's good business sense on the part of the agent AS LONG AS the recommendation is a quality one. AKA the recommendation does good, ethical, fairly priced work and the agent has thoroughly investigated the work they do (checked references, seen them in action, checked for licenses/insurance, etc.)

I have received recommendations from agents in the past where it's clear they made the recommendation SOLELY for the kickback and of course that's infuriating. OTOH, I have received recommendations from agents where I've met REALLY quality people and I'm happy for both the recommended party and any kickback the agent receives -- as far as I'm concerned the agent deserves it, quality work is hard to find!

Maryann L. · Answer

Hi Sage, for me TRUST is a big factor.  I have to trust that the Realtor I'm working with understands his buyer and my business model and how when applied together work great!!

If I can't trust what they are saying, its a big fat PASS for me.

Anyone who thinks they "know it all" is a PASS too.
Good luck

Jackie Patterson · Answer

We work with Realtors across the nation. We look for a Realtor that understands our process and is investor friendly.  The Realtor must be competent, understand the local market and dependable.  We rely on them to  get the information we need to analyze a potential short sale, and then be able to follow through during the process.  Reliability is #1.  My husband and I are both Realtors as well as short sale investors (Bill is a broker), so we are in a unique position of understanding both sides.

Good luck, Sage.  Sounds like you're laying a strong foundation to being a top notch Realtor.

Mat Lewczenko · Answer

Good for you! Go for it. 
I think you have a good base of aspirations. I think that leaders in all industry have become that way because they have found weaknesses in the industries they represent and filled in the gaps. It sounds exactly like what you are laying out.

I'm always looking to set myself apart from all others out there. It all comes back to "value". - How much you can bring to any given situation. I guess you could make that a #5.

#5: Value - If you can continually bring more value than your clients are expecting, then your compensation will continue to rise to meet your level of "Value".

Sometimes the difference between Good and Excellent is the difference between a "Hey, What's up?" and a "Good Morning Sir." -- and it doesn't cost you a dime.

You sound like you are gonna kill it. I wish you unlimited success. Cheers.

What do you look for in a RE agent?

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