Let’s Shake On It
Photo by: Jonathan J. Castellon | @jon_cast2
Are you ready to start a new Homemance? How do you know who is your soulmate of realty? Whether you are buying or selling a home, finding the perfect Realtor can make or break a home journey experience. It is very much like dating, so we’d like to show you some green flags when choosing the best Agent for you.
First Comes Love
There they are, best dressed and ready to impress. You both are a little nervous as you sit down. This is new for you and you’re not quite sure how much they should know. You already met with a man in finance and that went very well. He’s ready to lavish you with $400,000 and this meeting is to see who wants to join in the fun. You’ve got to play it cool because you sense they’re chomping at the bit for a double date. As you take a sip of your coffee, they begin the dance to win your heart.
You: Have you done this before?
Them: Absolutely. I’m not a well seasoned steak, but I have a good reputation and I promise to take care of you to the best of my abilities.
You: Great! I’m a bit overwhelmed right now with my divorce and my schedule is kinda crazy. I just need to do this as efficiently and quickly as possible.
Them: Of course, I totally understand how difficult that must be for you. Allow me to show you what I can provide to make this as stress-free a process as possible.
At this point you are pretty smitten. They seem personable and empathetic, but can they commit? You’ve been on plenty of bad dates, and they all start the same, but this one is giving off unicorn vibes. They are putting you at ease, but also have a plan on getting you to the altar.
The biggest green flag when looking for an Reator is to see if they come PREPARED. Do they have a plan for you and your home and can they explain it? Did this Pro present to you the process and the data or did they just show you surface plumage?
Then Comes Marriage
Once you decide on “The One”, getting past the honeymoon period and into engagement, there are things we encourage you to consider when committing to an agent you plan on hopefully being with forever.
Trust and Honesty. Agents that tell clients everything they want to hear are a dime a dozen. They want your business and even though they’ve been with a ton of partners, find out how well they treated those partners. Are they telling you to get rid of unnecessary baggage so your house is elevated for a new relationship or are they telling you everything is fine the way it is.
When investing in a new property, your Homefriend should be able to provide the paint brushes for your blank canvas. They are also seeing things that might not be in your line of site, ie. some water damage, bad water pressure, future issues down the line, etc.
Are they familiar with the current market and the area your property is on? You might have $600K in your head, but after walk-through they say more like $480K. They should back this with data and research. They will also have strategic reasons for the way they are pricing with the goal of making your home the most attractive, having others fighting for it even.
If you are buying, your Homefriend should also be researching prices of homes in the area you’d like to settle. They might have some insight on the future of that area and whether it will be a good investment for you. They can also gauge how much a home is worth and that can be beneficial when putting an offer in. They’ve also done their research in the area you are interested in knowing what amenities and features are notables.
Communication is key to every relationship. Not only should your Homefriend be communicating with you, but also with the parties involved in the transaction so they can keep you informed of any hiccups that may occur.
Do they make time for you? Are they available when you have questions, a good Homefriend answers within the hour. If you are purchasing, are they taking a good chunk of time to show you houses in succession so you can compare and contrast easily? If they are unavailable, do they have a backup person to be there for you?
Have they taken the time to go through the contracts with you? It’s not very sexy going through the listing agreement and frankly the buyer’s agreement packages with you, but very necessary. You need to know what the expectations and obligations are so you don’t feel lost or surprised when the third party decides they want a divorce.
Will they pump you up? Have they laid out their plans to sell your home? What type of marketing do they plan on doing? Will they provide feedback?
If you are buying, will they make your offer look so good? Sometimes it’s more than the actual numbers, but the terms presented.
How good are their friends? Do they have a network of people to help pre-list, ie. stagers, cleaners, landscapers, handymen, etc? A good agent has formed relationships with reliable contractors and vendors to help your home look and feel the best it can be for potential buyers.
Happy Endings
No situationship is perfect, but if you have Realtor who can roll with the punches, anticipate needs, and provide options—that’s your soulmate. The ideal Homefriend is one you don’t have to ask to take out the garbage, they are already doing it for you.You don’t want to choose an agent who is purely transactional; they will do nothing for you but basically leave you high and dry once those papers are signed. Your Homefriend will know when to fight for you and when to compromise, but always having your best interest at hand. They will earn what they ask for while being loyal and hoping you do the same. The best Homefriend is patient, they are kind. They do not boast. They always protect, always trust, always hope, always persevere towards having a successful closure while making room and providing an exciting journey towards your next beginning—hand in hand.
