Characteristics of Good Real Estate Agents
Real estate agents serve a great role in ensuring both the property owner and the buyer get what they are looking for. They help the two parties; Buyer and seller navigate through the financial transaction that could otherwise be very complex and tedious. In that case, both the buyer and the seller need to be keen on choosing a good real estate agent.
It is important to note that real estate agents are human beings, and they don’t have to be perfect. However, there are certain characteristics that distinguish professionals real estate agents from unprofessional ones. Below are a few characteristics that distinguish the best real estate agents from the average or poor ones.
Knowledgeable
Knowledge of a certain niche gives you an edge always. It is More so very important for realtors to know their thing well. When a real estate agent is knowledgeable, it gives them an upper hand in transactions. Great realtors are always seeking personal development and education to equip themselves accordingly.
A real estate agent should be up to date with the latest market trends in real estate and everything that is going on around the industry. They should be aware of their neighborhood; this will allow them to give proper recommendations to the clients.
Knowledge of the social and basic amenities around the area where they are selling property is very important. Sometimes clients need to know where schools, hospitals, places of worship, and shopping centers are before they purchase a property.
This kind of information gives clients’ the full knowledge of whether they will proceed with the purchase or not. Failure to give such information, the client might think you are not genuine.
Experienced
A degree in real estate is good because it will give you an edge on some things, but the hands-on experience will get the work done. Experience allows a realtor to give the right information to the client.
Clients will come in with different questions that may be based on their experience with other realtors or research they did. If you do not have enough experience in the real estate field, you might not assist them accordingly.
Well, experienced realtors are most preferred by clients as they help them make informed decisions. They also sell the property faster as compared to inexperienced ones.
Negotiation Skills
Negotiation skills are the most important characteristic of a good realtor. A real estate agent should be ready for negotiation and have the ability to remain calm even under pressure.
Great real estate agents negotiate for the best interests of both sides, the owner of the property and the client.
Keen to Details
The real estate business is very critical and calls for high attention to detail. Realtors spend a lot of time identifying properties and selling others. Good real estate agents should be keen to hear the interests of their clients and advise them accordingly.
They should be keen on the law and process the buyer goes through before they become the property owner. Real estate agents should provide compelling and detailed information on the properties on their listings. They should pay attention to the surrounding of the property and any other information that could be relevant to the buyer.
Communication Skills
Remember the last time you tried to buy something, and the seller did not have good communication skills how did that end? I bet you did not buy it unless you really needed it. Good communication in business is synonymous with good customer service. The real estate market is time-sensitive and so strong communication skills are inevitable.
Poor communication skills could make you lose an offer you so much worked hard for. Clients prefer working with a realtor who is responsive and communicates effectively using their preferred means of communication.
Honesty
Real estate is a very complicated business and especially in Nairobi. With the booming of the industry, there have risen many cone people. You need to look for a real estate agent who will be totally honest with you about everything.
Honest real estate agents tell you the truth even though it’s not what you want to hear sometimes. They should give you a piece of expert advice that has your best interest at play.
Tenacity
The real estate industry accepts so many qualities, but mediocrity is not one of them. The industry is demanding and requires agents who are hardworking and willing to work extra hard to close the sales.
Hardworking real estate agents follow up on their leads diligently. They put more time and effort in marketing properties so that they could get an edge on the already competitive market. They are determined to sell properties in a short time and get some more to continue selling.
Personable
Most businesses that succeed are owned by agreeable people. People do not want to transact with people they really don’t like. Being personable is a skill nobody will teach you in the real estate industry, but you need it anyway. A good real estate agent must be friendly and agreeable.
As a real estate agent, you work as a team; you, the client, and the owner of the property. You should be able to work cohesively and seamlessly with these people and still give results.
Lawful
Real estate agents are bound by the code of ethics and bylaws. Real estate agents should take the buyers through the necessary legal procedures for owning the property. Picking a good real estate agent ensures you do not have problems in the future with the regulations because of processes you skipped when acquiring the property.
Recommendation
It is your responsibility as a buyer or seller to do your due diligence. Picking a good real estate agent is not an overnight deal. Asking for referrals from family and friends is a good starting point. Do not be ignorant about the red flags you see with your real estate agent. A good real estate agent will save you time and money.
