Top 5 things you want in a real estate agent

When you're getting into the housing market to make a purchase – whether you're a first-timer or have already been a homeowner – there are a lot of things to consider, and plenty you cannot be expected to know.

For that reason, it's always a good idea to find the best possible real estate agent in your area who can help walk you through every step of the process. These professionals specialise in facilitating real estate transactions, and many have hundreds of sales under their belts, so they've pretty much seen it all.

However, choosing the right agent may seem like a daunting task, especially for those who haven't done so before. With that in mind, you should always look for the following qualities in an agent to make sure they're the right person to work with in the weeks and months ahead:

1) An understanding of the local market

When you're looking to buy a home in a certain neighbourhood or town, it helps to work with an agent who knows that place inside and out. If you meet with an agent who can tell you how they helped a certain number of buyers in that area, or they've been working there for years or even decades, that can be beneficial in helping you find the right home at the right price.

2) Top-notch communication skills

Trying to buy a home requires you to talk to your agent regularly, and if you're a first-time buyer, in particular, there will likely be a million questions – big and small – that come up in the course of that process. If you have difficulty getting your agent on the phone or to return one of your emails or texts, that can be a major source of frustration.

As such, you should make sure your agent is going to be responsive, returning all communications within a short period of time after you send them.

3) A shared vision

You may have a lot of ideas about the kind of home you're looking for, including where it's located, what features it has, the size of the yard and much more. Your agent's job is to find a property that essentially fits those parameters (with the acknowledgement that few homes will check every single box). For that reason, you and your real estate pro need to be on the same page about what you're looking for, what you can afford and so on.

4) Willingness to work hard

Some people may have high expectations for how much work an agent should do to help them find the home of their dreams. While you certainly don't want to go overboard on this front, you should have an agent who's willing to do what's necessary. Much like communication, you can't expect to have an agent working 24/7 for you and you alone, but they need to be responsive to your needs throughout the home shopping process.

5) Integrity

It only makes sense that you want an agent who is open and honest with you, and works to make sure you get the best deal possible. Asking hard questions about what kinds of expectations you should be setting can help you determine which agents are most likely to work for you – but you would also be wise to do some online research to see how highly agents are rated.

The professionals at Ray White Surfers Paradise are dedicated to all of the above – and more – to ensure you find the right home. Get in touch with us today to find out more about how we can help you.