Signs of a Good Realtor
A skilled real estate agent can make the process of buying and selling a home smoother and less stressful. Here are signs that the Realtor you're considering hiring is professional and will know what they're doing.
References
Being an agent is all about self marketing. So naturally an agent will present themselves in the most glowing terms possible. But you can't always take an agent's word about how fabulous they are and the great service they'll provide. Good Realtors know this and will provide several references so you can find out for yourself if they're as professional to work with as they claim. Naturally the references the agent provides are not going to say anything bad about him or her, so it's a good idea not to base your decision on hiring them solely on what the references say. But references can give you an indication of what to expect when working with the agent.
Proper Certification and Education
A college or university degree isn't necessary for an individual to be a good realtor, however it can't hurt. Often Realtor's with some sort of post secondary education in the field of business or public relations have the skills necessary to effectively negotiate real estate business transactions on your behalf. You can always ask to see the certificate and diplomas. If you're meeting your agent in his or her office, you'll probably see the certificates and diplomas hanging on the wall. Most agents will meet you in your home, office or other location of your choice so you may need to ask the Realtor to bring their certificates and diplomas along to a meeting if you'd like to see them.
That said; don't automatically assume an agent is a poor choice if he or she doesn't have post secondary training. A professional Realtor is licensed and certified in his field and should be willing to let you know this. Look for titles like Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), Graduate Realtor's Institute (GRI), Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) and Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES).
Organization Affiliation
A good Realtor should belong to one or more professional realty organizations. Examples are the National Association of Realtors and the International Consortium of Real Estate Associations.
Good Communication Skills
Professional real estate agents communicate well. Even during the interview process when you're deciding to hire an agent, he or she should quickly respond to your emails and phone calls. The best agents try to work around your schedule and will always be on time or early for every appointment. If he or she will be late, they let you know.
