Whether you are a first time homebuyer or you are an experienced buyer and seller, working with a knowledgeable and experienced Realtor® can make navigating the complexities of real estate transactions much easier. The best Realtors® will be responsive, understand the ups and downs of the real estate market, and negotiate diligently on your behalf. Your real estate agent should inspire trust and confidence. But what if you are not feeling confident in the Realtor® you have chosen? What if they are not responding or they are leading you down an uncomfortable path? What if you have chosen to partner with the wrong Realtor®?
Realtor® Red Flags
Buying or selling a home can be very stressful. And most people, even those who have purchased and sold in the past, don’t have all the tools they need to navigate the process on their own. Choosing the right Realtor® is key to a favourable and successful real estate experience and outcome. But how can you tell which Realtor® is the right one? Read Look For These Important Qualities When Choosing Your Realtor® and consider these Realtor® red flags when choosing your agent partner.
Red Flag #1-They Don’t Respect Your Time
Some Realtors® like to play at being busy. They always have an important call they have to take or a huge deal that is about to close. It is true that real estate agents can be very busy, but so are you! You want a Realtor® who will respect your time when you are together looking at listings or discussing a marketing plan for your home. If urgent calls come in, your Realtor® should be professional enough to keep it short and deal with it discreetly.
Red Flag #2-They Make You Feel Pressured
The role of your real estate agent should be to inform, advise, and guide. You should not feel pressured at any point in your journey to buy or sell a home under conditions you are not at ease with. If you disagree with your Realtor® (about listing price, for instance), you should feel comfortable enough to discuss your concerns and your Realtor® should have established a reputation of trust and insight with you so that you feel confident taking their advice.
Red Flag #3-They Don’t Communicate
Many aspects of buying and selling in real estate are very time sensitive. You need to partner with a Realtor® who is responsive and transparent in their communication. It is not reasonable to expect your real estate agent to be at your beck and call, but they should respectfully and clearly outline their personal commitment to response timelines and the best way to contact them (during and after business hours). Communication is also about listening, you should always feel heard and understood by your Realtor®.
One of the benefits of choosing to partner with a team of Realtors®
is enhanced access to the resources and support you need, when you need it.
Learn more about the team at Tanya Eklund Group.
Can I Change Realtors®?
Of course, the best way to ensure you aren’t stuck working with the wrong Realtor® is to do your due diligence before deciding which agent or team to partner with. This means speaking with more than one Realtor®, asking the right questions, discussing your goals for buying and selling, and understanding which qualities make the best Realtor® partners. This is especially important because most Realtors® will ask you to sign a contract with them that outlines the parameters of your relationship (a listing agreement for sellers and a buyer representation agreement for homebuyers). These contracts are often valid only for a set period of time, but it can be tricky to get out of them. Your options at this point would be to wait until the contract expires or to negotiate the termination of the contract.
Partner With The Right Realtor® For You
Choosing your new home or choosing the right offer when you sell your home are probably the biggest decisions you will make on your real estate journey. But choosing the right Realtor® (or team of Realtors®) is a very close second. Avoid the Realtor® Red Flags and choose an agent with market knowledge, expert negotiating skills, and a commitment to your best interests. You need a trusted partner to guide you through the process and stand beside you as you make some very important decisions. As you journey to buying or selling a home, choose a Realtor® you feel good about, one that can help you realize what home means to you.
The Tanya Eklund Group is Calgary’s Inner City Real Estate Team. Buying or selling, we will guide you through the process and share our experience, knowledge, connections, and resources so when your contracts are signed, you will know that the city’s top real estate professionals are on your team. It is our goal to provide our clients with an elevated real estate experience. This means we are committed to standing beside you and advising you through each step of the process. Your goal becomes our goal and a successful transaction for you means we feel the satisfaction of a job well done. We strive to ensure such a positive experience for you as you buy or sell, that you feel part of our community. Connect with our team by calling (403) 863-7434 or through our contact form.