It is unfortunate that some real estate sellers and buyers get saddled with an agent who lacks skills, comes off busy and arrogant. There are also agents who would coerce you to purchase a property for the sole reason of receiving their commission.
Ultimately, buyers and sellers rely on real estate agents to ensure that they get the best value there is. However, some clients end up losing more money or overspending on properties due to neglectful agents.
To avoid problematic agents like these, here are some of the signs of a bad real estate agent.
The agent is unresponsive.
While you should not expect your real estate agent to be on call 24/7, you should get some response from your texts and voicemails in a timely fashion. Keep in mind that you are possibly not the only client of your agent. So you can expect a call back between 9 AM to 5 PM the next day. If you do not hear back from them, you can send a text message reminding your agent about your inquiry.
The agent doesn’t listen.
You can immediately tell when an agent has excellent listening skills when they allow you to speak your mind and prevent themselves from interrupting while you speak. But when the agent starts to cut you off while you are trying to make a point, you need to reassess your agent’s character and if he or she is genuinely looking out for your investments.
The agent pushes you to sell or purchase a property.
Kale Realty brokers make sure that they stay updated with the latest trends in the real estate market. When you plan to invest, you also need to acquire as much knowledge as you can. That way, you and your agent can get on the same page when deciding whether or not it is the best time to buy or sell. Avoid any agent that does not take the time to update or refresh themselves with new information.
The agent is inexperienced.
Ask for the resume of your agent or the listings they have handles. Check reviews and testimonials about them and assess whether the reviews are enough for you to hire them. Finding a full-time agent is essential because compared to part-timers, they can allow more time to find the properties their clients want.
The agent is unprofessional.
An agent can appear unprofessional for a number of reasons. The agent should only show you properties that are ready to use and not something in the middle of a kitchen renovation or landscaping redesign. You are not supposed to see a lot of junk and waste materials in fron of the door when you visit the place. If you see people filling up a rented roll-off container, then it was maybe too early to visit that location.
Disorganized, showing up late, missing appointments and providing the wrong information are characteristics of an unprofessional real estate agent. If you find that you are working more closely with the agent’s assistant, it’s time to ditch him or her. It is the responsibility of the agent to lay out the expectations of their clients clearly.
If your agent possesses these characteristics above, it is time to replace them with someone else. Real estate is a serious investment, and when you do not have the right professional assisting you with the process, then all the money you used and about to spend will all go down the drain.