So you asked around, visited an open house, chose a real estate agent, and finally met up. They looked great online, had glowing reviews, but something just isn’t clicking. There’s no spark. No connection. Are you stuck working with someone with whom you aren’t building and fostering trust? What went wrong? How do you resolve the issue?
One word…research. Go back and take a deeper look at your agent. Do they have any recent reviews? How many homes have they sold? How many years have they been in real estate? Do they have their own website with their own ideas, opinions, and examples of marketing? How do they interact with others on social media?
All of these questions are important to research as you look for a potential real estate agent. They serve as an informal checklist to help you determine which agent is right for you.
Don’t get me wrong, reviews are plenty helpful, but not always indicative of an agent’s personality, professionalism, and ability to negotiate a dynamite deal for you.
Researching your agent is not a suggestion, but a necessity. It goes well beyond meeting them at an open house or getting a name from a friend. You can’t afford to skim a profile, surf a few reviews, and decide on the spot that this agent will be yours. You especially shouldn’t just choose an agent based on how fast they respond to your contact request.
If you are choosing an agent, research is your best friend. Once you think you have a potential agent picked out, always arrange to meet them! The face to face meeting is crucial, it’s the best way to judge whether or not you would like to move forward.
Buying a home is a major life event. Treat it as such! So, fostering trust between your real estate agent is of the utmost importance. Home-buying comes with potential challenges and you need someone you can trust to handle them expertly.
The housing market can and does change quickly. You may be on the market for the right home for two days, two months, or two years. It is crucial that you find an agent who not only guides you through the looking process but listens to your concerns, offers sound advice and has your best interests at heart.
Be aware, issues can and will arise so having a real estate agent who can tackle these problems head-on with smart, efficient solutions is paramount. Sometimes, there are concerns that need to be hashed out.
If you have entered into an agreement with an agent to represent you in the purchase of a home, that is a valid contract, they have invested time and money into your situation and you should try to work it out. Make an appointment to sit down for coffee, share your concerns and see if you can come to an understanding.
A good relationship with your agent is necessary when buying a home. That includes the less pleasant side of things. Your agent should not shrink from unsavory news but should give you a heads-up and have a plan to proceed. That’s what makes them a good agent.
You also should be able to count on your real estate agent well after your closing.
Any lingering questions, ask your agent!
Renovations? Your agent’s name should be the first thought you have when you want to make home improvements and wonder if they will pay off. If they’re a good agent, they will be happy to advise you on all things real estate related even after your sale.
Sometimes, however, things just don’t work out. Despite all efforts on both sides in fostering trust, it is still possible for the relationship to fall apart. If you feel the relationship has been irreparably damaged despite trying to reach a middle ground, ask them for a release from your Buyer Agency agreement in writing and go back to square one. It will mean more preliminary research, but it will be well worth it in the long run.
