Credentials, experience and testimonials are all important things to consider when vetting a potential real estate agent.  They also represent a very low bar that a large number of agents will clear. While they are all important, it is imperative to take a deeper dive when interviewing a real estate  agent.  

Takeaways:

  • An effective Real Estate Agent can make all the difference for home buyers

  • With a crowded marketplace of providers it can be difficult to choose

  • Strong agents share several key characteristics

 

A focus on the key realtor characteristics that consistently drive client satisfaction can help.

They have a Neighborhood- level Knowledge of Your Target Area 

For an agent, casting a wide net in terms of area served is seen as good business.  Why limit your potential client base by geographic factors?  For many, this often leads to a website with a laundry list of cities served. 

The issue is that in trying to be everything to everyone, many agents are simply stretched too thin.  To be truly successful an agent must present more than just a list of cities, but a deep knowledge of the individual neighborhoods within them.

Why this matters:  The nuances of fluid school district lines, variances in the styles of homes available and the demographics of the neighborhoods are all major factors to consider.  Consider the following

  • A few miles in home location can vary downtown commute times by up to 20 minutes 
  • Many neighborhoods in Minnetonka are almost exclusively retirees, others have turned over to younger families
  • The Wayzata School District spans portions of eight different cities with grade school maps changing just  last year
  • Certain home styles can be rare in specific within communities.  Plymouth for example has only small pockets of 1 ½ story homes available

These are only a few examples, but agents who dabble in an area can easily miss the nuances of the neighborhoods within them.   This can increase the time it takes to find a home as well as your satisfaction with the home you ultimately purchase.

They Focus on Stewardship of a Buyer’s Time

Stated simply, an effective agent does most of the work.  

A buyer’s job in a home search is to first interview and hire a real estate agent.  Once hired, meet with the agent for a deep conversation about their needs, wants and availability.  Next they should budget time to analyze homes that meet this criteria.  How long this ends up taking can vary greatly depending on how well you and your agent define your search criteria and the knowledge of your agent to guide you to the best suited areas to locate your new home

A buyer’s agent should vet many  properties on your behalf, and armed with your vision, bring you only a small percentage to potentially investigate further.    

Why this matters:  Searching for a home can be great fun, but that search should be highly targeted and time bound.  The number one factor in buyer satisfaction is how much time they invested in the search.  Your agent should recognize this and make the most of yours.

They Are Accessible

We are all busy, and a strong agent will likely be busier than most, but being accessible to clients is imperative throughout the course of a home search.  Your calls or texts should be answered quickly, your agent should have the office, infrastructure, technology and staff to always put you in touch with a live voice who can help.

Why this matters:  The nature of the real estate game requires speed and it is imperative you act fast when opportunities present themselves.  When time is of the essence, you do not want to be wasting it trying to track down your agent while competitive offers are already in the works.

 

These are only a few of many considerations.  Additional factors include a personal connection with your agent, and their desire and ability to advocate for you.  At Zachary Adams & Associates we take our service commitment seriously.  We love building long-term relationships and exceeding expectations.  

We’d love to hear about your dream home and how we can help you find it.  Call us for a no-obligation consultation today.  We aren’t like any other realtors and we’d love to show you why.