Whether you’re looking to buy or sell your home, having a good real estate agent to help you through the process can be everything. They can determine your success in the housing market, so it’s important to consider these factors and use them to assess potential realtors before you decide to work with one. Even if you’ve hired a real estate agent in the past, there are things you can keep in mind when it’s time to find a new one.

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Signs You’ve Hired the Wrong Agent

Don’t overlook these red flags!

They Don’t Answer Your Questions

When you meet a potential real estate agent, you should have a list of questions prepared before you go for the “interview.” The questions should stem from getting to know their experience in the industry, the esteem of the company that they work for, and how they will communicate with you through the home sale or buy process.

They’re Pushy... Too Pushy

It’s good to have an agent that is determined to help you buy or sell your house, but there comes a point when it’s too much. The agent may try to make you do something you are not comfortable with, which is a big ethical concern in the industry. Ultimately, they work for you. So, it is your money and therefore, your purchase or sale. The agent’s job is to be there to guide you and work around your specifications to get you what you want, as long as it is reasonable. If your agent is trying to shove you into a deal you are not comfortable with, walk away immediately.

They Don’t Offer You Solid Advice

Okay, there does come a point when you just want to listen to your own voice in your head, but it’s important that you have an agent backing you that is knowledgeable about the industry, your wants and needs, and makes smart observations and judgments. Agents who are good at their jobs are not afraid to offer sound advice and observations to their clients. Why else would you work to become skilled at something if you’re not using those abilities? If your agent is not offering you advice and guidance before the transaction takes place and during the transaction, then something is off. Either he or she is too inexperienced to know what is going on, or they are not particularly helpful by nature. Regardless, you need someone who is helpful and can exercise leadership in this process. You’re paying for that, are you not?

They Don’t Make the Most of Their Resources

As real estate agents, they have many tools necessary to complete these buying and selling transactions. Many real estate agents will use all of the tools at their fingertips to market your home to the public, the bad ones won’t. Their job is to help you find a new one that meets your needs. Nevertheless, some agents will do the bare minimum and rely on other real estate agents to market your home to their clients. You should expect your real estate agent to take professional-looking photos of the features of your home and write favorable descriptions of your home if it's for sale, and list it anywhere that may draw more interest to it, using as many credible channels as they can. This includes putting the listing on real estate websites, into local newspapers, and distributing flyers to homes nearby. Sure, there’s a chance that your home might sell without this extra effort, but is that really the kind of person to whom you want to pay a commission?

In terms of the search, your real estate agent should be communicating new opportunities that meet your specifications on a regular basis, searching anywhere possible and utilizing all of their resources to make sure that you find your dream home.

They Demonstrate Minimal Leadership

If your real estate agent nods politely and agrees with you on every point, this is a bad sign. This agent is probably someone who's eager to please and not thoroughly committed to doing the best possible job at representing your interests and specifications in the real estate market. Leadership by the agent should be shown when pricing your home for sale. You should insist that your agent produce the research that was used to arrive at the price they came up with. An agent who asks you what you think your home is worth and then goes ahead and lists it for that price is definitely not professional. Your agent is the one who is the expert in this case, so you should look for one who can take the lead. That being said, your agent should also act on your behalf and take your final word before the transaction occurs.

They Don’t Follow-up

Whether you're buying or selling, many real estate agents think their job ends on the possession date of the home. This is indeed the day that the transaction is considered finalized, and the real estate agent is paid their commission. You want an agent who calls beyond this date to address any follow-up questions you might have. You want an agent who wants your direct feedback to ensure that you're happy with his or her work. Knowing this at the first “interview” or meeting with an agent, might not always be telling of this, but if they work hard to build rapport and answer all of your questions in a detailed manner, that’s probably a good sign that the agent is going to go above and beyond what is required to demonstrate their commitment of customer service to you.

HER, REALTORS® knows that a professional, trustworthy, and an experienced agent is key to selling or buying your house. Trust us the next time you decide to enter the housing market. We’re ready for any curveball that might be thrown your way! Talk to an agent today and learn for yourself.