When you're buying or selling a house, there's a lot riding on your choice of a real estate agent. The right one can help you sail through the process with a minimum of frustration and setbacks. The wrong one can cost you precious time, money, and opportunities. Although things like experience, credentials, and track record are key factors to consider, personality and "chemistry" are vital elements of a successful and productive working relationship. Measuring these qualities can be a little tricky, but if the agent makes you feel comfortable, listened to, and optimistic, then they're a good prospect for your "short list." While it is possible that the first real estate agent you interview will be a perfect match for your needs, goals, and personality, it's generally advisable to meet with at least two agents or Realtors before making your final choice. Having more than one point of reference helps you make the best, most informed decision.
Other than measurable criteria, such as recent sales, how long those properties were on the market, and how many listings they currently have, here are a few personal traits worth paying attention to:
- Excellent communication skills: This can run the gamut from being an attentive listener to having the ability to describe complex things to you in a way you can understand. This trait is especially important if you're a first-time home buyer or seller, and are relatively unfamiliar with the hurdles, requirements, and steps involved in qualifying for a mortgage, marketing a property, finding properties that meet your expectations (if you're in the market), and closing on a real estate sale.
- A positive attitude: While you don't necessarily want a real estate agent who is always looking at the world through rose-colored glasses (unrealistically), you do want to be working with someone who focuses on solutions, rather then problems. Let's face it: The search for your dream home or the ideal buyer for an existing home can sometimes be a bumpy ride. That's why it's important to pick an agent who is proactive, resourceful, optimistic, and results oriented.
- Responsive and accessible: A crucial thing to find out in your initial meeting with a real estate agent or Realtor is their preferred method of being contacted and how long they usually take to respond to phone messages and emails. The other side of the coin is the frequency with which they plan on contacting you with updates, progress reports, and reminders. Effective communication is always a two-way street, so if the conversation feels like they're talking at you, rather than to you, then you might want to point your search in another direction.
About the Author
Judy Szablak
With over 30 years in the industry, Realtor Judy Szablak has been on national television for her real estate expertise on the HGTV Network, featured on Martha Stewart Living Radio "Morning Living” , NPR radio as an expert real estate panelist, It’s Relevant News channel, and quoted in the Wall Street Journal for her in depth knowledge of Fairfield County Connecticut real estate.
She was also on the local NPR radio station (WSHU) as a Fairfield County CT real estate expert. Judy has provided multiple online respected news sources with her real estate expertise including The Daily Easton, The Daily Weston, The Daily Fairfield, The Daily Stamford and The Daily Greenwich, as well as in print in the New York Post. She is a weekly Real Estate Columnist for WestportNow.com, another real estate column "Real Estate With Judy” is syndicated through Hearst CT Media Online and seen in The Connecticut Post, The Danbury News-Times, The Stamford Advocate, The Greenwich Time, The Hour, Fairfield Citizen, Westport News, Darien News, New Canaan News and the Wilton Villager.
Judy is also the author of the book, The Art of Buying or Selling a Home, available at all major book retailers. Additionally, Judy has been nationally recognized in a number of national real estate trade magazines, some with distribution to over 1 million members. She was featured in Real Estate Today as early as 1994 for her commitment to, and implementation of technology in real estate. Judy appeared in the Certified Residential Specialist Magazine, as she provided advice on marketing strategies and ethics in the article titled "Marketing Makeovers.”
Judy was also featured in REALTOR® Magazine, regarding image enhancement for Realtors. She was again featured in REALTOR® Magazine, in an article on "Achieving Flow” and operating at optimal peak performance. In another article in the same publication, Judy offered guidance to fellow real estate professionals as she explored the topic of implementing and maintaining personal websites. She has appeared in The Council of Residential Specialists Magazine, which featured her ideas regarding technology. Additionally, Judy authored an article on marketing and technology for the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Online Magazine. On two occasions, in 2015 and 2017, she appeared as a featured agent in Top Agent Magazine. I have a few other websites- www.TheCtrealtyBlog.com www.CtHomesAndRealEstate.com www.BestWestportHomes.com www.ThePetitePowerhouse.com www,SzablakConsulting.com
