What is a good real estate agent?

Making the decision to buy a home brings with it a multitude of questions and concerns to consider.  Are you financially prepared?  What kind of residence are you looking for?  Is now the right time to buy, or is the market still too unstable?  Should you handle the search on your own or go with a real estate agent?  Deciding to work with a real estate agent in your search is an important first step in the home-buying process.  But it's equally important to research which agent you choose and to make sure he or she is qualified to be helping you during this exciting time. 

Generally speaking, there are a number of common skills that home-buyers have noted were valuable to them when selecting a real estate agent to represent them.  Knowledge of the current real estate market is a critical skill that any reputable real estate agent working today must have.  An effective agent needs to know the ins-and-outs of the local market that he or she is working in, in order to be able to match their clients with the right properties.  In closing deals for clients, real estate agents also need to have strong negotiation and communication skills.  So much of the process of buying a home involves brokering deals and arrangements with sellers (and the buyers themselves), and as such, having solid experience in this area is crucial to a successful real estate agent.  It's also important for home-buyers to research the professional reputations of any agent(s) they decide to work with.  Time-honored traits like honesty, professionalism, and expertise in the field are the most fundamental components of good real estate agents. 

To determine whether or not a real estate agent has the qualities you're looking for, consider "interviewing" him or her to find out if it's a good fit.  This is not an interview in the traditional sense of the word; it's more of a conversation that you lead with the agent, asking specific questions you've developed to assess whether an agent has the background, skills, and experience necessary to help you find the best property possible.  The following questions are examples of some common questions to ask any real estate agent you are considering working with.  May I see your resume or documentation of your professional experience?  What is your level of knowledge regarding the location(s) I would like to live in and the types of properties I am interested in?  What sets you apart from other agents?  Do you work for commissions?  These are just a sampling of the many different kinds of questions you can formulate to ask real estate agents you may potentially work with. 

When selecting a real estate agent, it's important to remember that he or she is there to represent and work for your best interests in the home-buying market.  At the same time, a good agent should be actively — and successfully — matching a number of buyers to properties.  A proven track-record in this area is a good sign that the agent will have success in matching your needs to what's available in the current market.  Another reliable strategy for selecting a good real estate agent is old-fashioned word-of-mouth.  Seek referrals from people you know and trust, like friends, neighbors, and family members.  Oftentimes, this is one of the best methods for selecting a real estate agent.  Choosing someone who has worked with people you trust can help you make sure that he or she has been "tested out" and proven to be an effective, qualified agent. 

There are many factors to take into account when choosing a real estate agent.  Trust your instincts, ask the right questions, seek advice from those your trust, and research all of your options before making the final decision.  Doing so will ensure that your home-buying search will be a successful one. 

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