Are you looking to sell your home? Or are you searching for a new one? Either way, it’s downright essential to work with the right real estate agent. But good real estate agents are not easy to find. Shoddy and inefficient real estate agents are challenging to spot, especially if you are buying or selling a home for the very first time. This is because most people don’t have a sound real estate experience and therefore don’t know what exactly the agent should do.
From picking excellent properties to helping you with the final documentation, a real estate agent should be able to manage everything. But not all agents are capable. Working with a wrong real estate agent can risk your deal and cause hassles.
Here are some telltale signs of a bad real estate agent.
Lack of Communication
The top reason why you should NOT work with your real estate agent is that there is a lack of proper communication. However, not all agents are available on call 24/7 as they have families and personal lives too. You can expect their responses within a handful of hours if they are super busy. Your real estate agent should be letting you know that they’ve got your query/message and will get back to you within a couple of hours.
A bad real estate agent is likely to avoid your calls, and you won’t hear from them for 24-48 hours.
They are Pushy
Is your realtor looking desperate for any deal? Is he pushing you to accept an offer or make a counteroffer that you’re not comfortable with?
Here is a sage piece of advice—be careful with such an agent or stop working with him.
If you are looking for a house, and the agent almost forces you to make an offer on a home when you’re not quite prepared for that, this is a telltale sign that they are getting desperate for a deal. The right agent won’t push you to do anything that affects your comfort level. They will guide you and work for your best interest.
They Don’t Listen
Does your real estate agent turn a deaf ear to you most of the time? Or you feel like that you are into a one-way conversation with them?
It means that you have picked the wrong one. If you are not the most important person at the moment, what’s a point to proceed with them?
Good listening skills are a crucial trait to look for in a real estate agent. If they are not able to identify your expectations, they won’t be that useful for you.
They Don’t Have Sound Experience
Experience matters a lot in real estate. An experienced real estate agent has worked with various clients with unique specifications. He knows when to negotiate and how to close the deal. If you work with inexperienced real estate agents, the process is less likely to go smoothly. Even worse, the deal might fall through. Make sure to ask them how many homes they’ve sold in the past 12 months. If they don’t have the list of those homes, you might want to reconsider working with them.
They Don’t Have Online Presence
Most people search homes online, requiring your agents to list your property on every available portal. If you’re looking for a property, then the agent should check all portals as well as look out for any property that appears online. Therefore, it would be better if your real estate agent has a good online presence, including website and accounts on several listing sites.
They are Unprofessional
How to tell if your real estate agent is unprofessional?
Well, there are many factors screaming that you have chosen an unprofessional agent. Here are some of them…
- They don’t show up on time.
- They are not concerned about how they look and what they wear.
- They make inappropriate comments.
- They don’t have business cards or professional marketing materials.
- They show erratic behavior and lack communication skills.
- They have attitude problems.
- They are a part-time real estate agent.
They Don’t Know About the Area
Even if you work with a reputable and experienced real estate agent, it won’t be useful if they don’t know about the local housing market. If your real estate agent possesses little to no experience with home transactions in the neighborhood, you need to prefer someone who does. A savvy agent who understands the local market can help you get the best deal.
They Represent the Interest of Both Buyers and Sellers
Many new buyers and sellers might choose the same agent. It is known as a dual agency or dual agent. A dual agent represents both parties.
While a dual agent can speed up response time, streamline the transaction process and save you a few bucks, it is better if you choose the one who only acts in the best interest of you.
Because if the agent also takes care of the sellers who are looking to get more money for their property, then how can they represent the buyer’s interest who wants to pay less as possible. It means that the dual agent can’t have everyone’s interest at heart.
Last But Not Least—You Don’t Feel Comfortable With Them
Make sure you feel comfortable with your real estate agent. If you hesitate to share financial and personal information with your agent, it means you are not satisfied with them. Make sure your agent represents your interests.
