As a landlord or landlady who wants to sell a property or as a buyer who wants to purchase a property, you may not want to go at it alone. You will need the help of a professional who has done it over and over again. Real estate agents are there to help you through all the processes involved in buying or selling a house. However, some are much better at their jobs than others. The last thing you will want to do is to deal with the wrong agent. Below are a few essential things to look out for in a real estate agent:
- Fair knowledge of the market: In purchasing a house, you will like to avoid overpaying. When selling a house, you will want to make sure you obtain a fair price. It is very important therefore to find an agent who is well informed about the real estate market and can direct you on what you should be paying for or listing your home for.
- Area of expertise: Real estate agents specialize in different transactions. For instance, a buyer’s agent can help you in looking for a property to purchase. A seller’s agent can help you sell your property. You should identify the kind of agent you want and know if you have made the right choice.
- Engaging Personality: Buying or renting a house is a stressful task. You need to have a real estate agent who will be patient with you and also has your interest at heart. He/she should be quick to inform you about any updates or changes on the property you want to buy or rent. He/she should always be ready to listen to you. Usually, the best real estate agents are the ones who keep you updated on every step throughout the process. They will call or text to feed you the latest update on the property you are looking to buy or ask once again ask for the exact details of your request. Does your real estate agent empathize with you on what is really important to you? Does he/she show genuine interest in finding out exactly what your need is and why you cannot seem to settle on one property? You do not want to trust a real estate agent who leaves you hanging.
- Reliability: Nothing is more frustrating than a person who says they are going to do something but then does not follow through with it. You need an agent who is reliable. He/she should be able to meet their obligations in a timely manner. They should be able to account for whatever services they say they are going to provide. Failure to do so proves that they are unreliable and business should not be conducted with them.
- Reputable: When choosing an agent, you should choose someone who has good standing in the real estate community. Check for complaints or dissatisfaction before making your final decision when choosing your agent.
For additional reading on this please refer to our article on HOW TO RENT A HOME IN GHANA B (particularly under Option 2 – Employing the services of an Estate Agent; The Cons – ii)