Finding an agent you trust and who you enjoy working with can take a little work. If you’ve bought or sold real estate in the past, you will know that not all agents are created equally. You may not even use an agent in some cases. But if you do, it is important that you work with an agent you trust, who will work tirelessly to help with your real estate needs. In our latest post, we will outline some of the best qualities of a top agent!
Your agent should fill many roles, ally, confidant, counselor, and advocate just to name a few. There are several personality traits top agents will have in common and other sharp business-savvy skills they should possess. Below, we list some of our favorite traits of a Top Real Estate Agent in Baton Rouge!
Qualities of a Top Real Estate Agent | What to Look for in Baton Rouge
Honest
This is a no-brainer, but you will need to know your agent is being honest with you at all times. They are the home experts and should notice things that you may not. This means they should sometimes tell you things you might want to hear, like your dream home is way overpriced or that you want more than your home is worth. They should be upfront with you about what they are doing to sell your home and what to expect throughout the entire process.
Problem Solver
Your agent should be someone who is quick on their feet. Someone who can handle a last-minute snafu with tact and grace, since there usually are hiccups with home sales. I had a closing that was delayed two weeks just because the appraiser was too busy! Then, just before closing, there was a hurricane that pushed it even further. Your agent should be able to do whatever it takes to get the job done, tacking any problem head-on before it escalates into something bigger and keep you in the loop the whole time.
Engaging
Your agent should know how to draw people in. They should make people want to know more about a property. Excellent conversational skills are crucial and they should be genuine. Realtors are human too and their personality should shine through, not be fake. People want to feel comfortable, and working with someone who makes them feel at ease is a terrific start.
Attention to Detail
You are paying your agent for a reason. They should have all bases covered. They should tale care of things you may not have even thought of. Moving your car out of the driveway for photos, taking down your kid’s diploma during a showing, hiding the trash cans when people view the home… these are all small things, but they have big subconscious effects on your potential buyers.
Motivated
A great agent will love what they do. Some people love real estate and they genuinely love the process of helping people buy and sell homes. They are motivated beyond money, and instead simply LOVE being good at what they do and eat, sleep and breathe real estate.
Knowledgeable
Never stop learning is our motto and we believe the same to be true for top agents. They should be abreast of everything going on the real estate world, especially in your local market. With COVID things are evolving quickly and housing has gone through a slow cycle, then a rush for everyone to sell when the first wave was “over”, and now inventory is getting low again. They should know this and know how to use it to your advantage.
Look for an agent who is certified in many areas or who is often found at seminars and events. The industry is always changing, so being informed about new developments is crucial. An agent in your corner who really knows their stuff is one of the best assets you have in successfully selling your home. Nobody has seen it all, but the more knowledge they have the better they will react to various situations you may experience.
Proactive
They should always be one step ahead of you. They should also gently push you if things need to get done (which they will). They know what it takes to sell, and they should work with you to make those things happen.
Some agents will put in little effort, throw the listing on the MLS and hope for a buyer to come along. This isn’t the strategy of a top agent! A good marketing plan will help you get what your house is worth.
Be Well Connected
You know the people that seem to know everyone in town? This should be your real estate agent. The more people they know, the more likely they are to be able to spread the word about your house, and their friends will show their friends, and so on. Generating excitement about your listing is very important and often overlooked. Sometimes, social media can also be a huge component of that, and the top agents will generally be very active on those platforms too.
They will also be able to offer great recommendations for cleaning, staging and repair work.
They Listen
Nobody likes people who talk over you. They seem like they are listening but just are waiting for a pause so they can talk again.
Each situation is different and a good agent will listen to your needs, goals, and expectations from the sale. It is your house and your voice should be heard.
However, you are hiring a professional for a reason, and you should always factor in their opinion when making a decision about your house.
They Have References
Not just selected references, ones they have handpicked. But rather ask them about their most recent 10 or so clients. What would they have to say about the experience? A top agent will have no problem providing references from their most recent clients!
Do you want to work with some of the BEST agents in the Baton Rouge area? Look no further! Send us a message now letting us know about your goals! Or give our team a call anytime! (225) 288-7209
If you don’t want to list your house, we may be able to purchase it directly for an investment property, so give us a call for that too!