The internet is filled with information regarding the top questions to ask when interviewing a realtor to hire. Some articles offer so much detail, one can get lost in which answers are the good answers and which offer a glimpse of which agents to avoid.  Hoping that the list below offers real world considerations before hiring a Real Estate Broker.

Connection
The first impression when you first meet someone is also true when meeting a Real Estate Agent. Note if they are approachable. Do you connect with them on a personal level? If they were referred by someone you trust such as a family member, friend, or coworker, do they match up with how they were described? 

Once you get to talking about your home sale or search, are they in your world? What does this mean? Do they ask questions to get to know you, your wants, and your needs? Are they listening to your answers? Do they use too many industry terms and acronyms? 

The feeling you get from this initial discussion offers if you have a connection with that agent. If so – great. If not – no need to go much further.

Experience
How much experience a Real Estate Agent has is measured beyond years. Looking at reviews offers another glimpse at the competence of the agent.

What is important? One that provides insight from their experience. How adept they are with the art of negotiating is important. A realtor that can build a strategic marketing plan is paramount in the selling of a home. A realtor should be resourceful in the vendors recommendations in their network of contacts. 

Experienced agents are the ones that can share realistic expectations with you as you discuss your wants and needs. Sharing best practices as well as some pitfalls to avoid helps to make the process go smoother.

Communication
Often the first step in communication can be measured by how timely a prospective realtor returns your initial outreach. They should be clear and easy to understand when you spoke with them without sounding distracted. While you’ll want their style to align with yours, you’ll still want them to be professional in what they are talking about. 

You should expect that your real estate agent be available outside of the typical 9 to 5 business day when necessary. They should provide status updates on your sale or purchase regularly without prompting that are detailed and easy to follow. 

Local Knowledge
There are countless people that can suggest the best restaurants in a city, parks to play in, or sights to see. If you wanted advice on where to purchase a home in Milwaukie, you typically wouldn’t ask someone that lives in Milwaukee. 

Local knowledge is valuable when working with a real estate agent. A responsible agent is able to be diligent in researching school districts. A realtor that knows a city, neighborhoods and micro neighborhoods can offer you advice on areas to take a deeper look into or to skip altogether. If there are plans to widen a road, will the ease of the commute be good or will the additional traffic be a hindrance. 

Marketing Plan
The marketing of a home sale starts with the initial on-boarding meeting. You’ll want your realtor to be a partner that provides an easy-to-follow checklist to get home ready focusing on maximizing curb appeal with low-cost, high return suggestions. On the flip side of this, you’ll want to avoid agents that seem to push you into high-cost repairs or remodel projects.

The balance of the marketing plan should be strategic for your home and go beyond establishing a selling price using competitive market analysis (CMA). While some of the tactics will be universal for selling a home, it is important that the listing or flyers call out the elements that will get a prospective buyer’s attention. A quality realtor will offer suggestions on how to have professional photography to best work for flyers and online listings. The same is true prior to Open Houses or Showings. Don’t hesitate to ask what a plan might be for your home.

Honest & Integrity
The sale or purchase of a home is one of the biggest financial transactions you will make in your lifetime. Having someone guide you through this is paramount. You’ll want to make sure that a prospective real estate agent operates with honesty and integrity. 

The tenets of fiduciary responsibility are the foundation between a Realtor and a client. A Real Estate Agent will act on behalf of you and are required to put your interests ahead of their own, with a duty to preserve confidentiality, good faith, and trust. We are legally and ethically bound to act in your best interest while providing reasonable skill & care within the scope of their expertise. 

Terms of the Contract
Once you sign a contract with a Real Estate Agent, it is important to know what services are included in that agreement. You’ll want to ask as many questions are you feel you need to in order to understand the terms. 

Just as each Realtor varies in their expertise and experience, the services that they provide vary. Agents that sell your home should be by your side from the initial listing to closing, communicating regularly. You will want to work with an agent that is committed to assisting you in navigating the process from searching for homes through the negotiation of the offer to the final inspection and appraisal.  What an agent brings to the project will determine their compensation structure and fees. 

Energy
How much energy someone brings to a relationship isn’t measured by how many cups of coffee or energy drinks they consume daily. One might have a nervous energy or a quiet confidence. While it is important that an agent fits your style, you’ll want to be able to distinguish between positive energy and negative energy.  

Listen if you hear passion in their voice when they share why they became a real estate agent or what they enjoy most about the job. If someone seems laid back and chill, you’ll want to be sure that this prospective agent works full-time rather than frequently heading to the mountain to shred the slopes only working part time.