15 May Top 6 Real Estate Agent Qualities to Look For

Choosing the right real estate agent is a big decision. A professional agent will guide you through selling a home from start to finish — helping with home valuation, staging, negotiation, and, of course, all the corresponding paperwork. You want the winning combination of experience, personality, and local knowledge.

Here are 6 things to look for in a real estate agent when selling your home:

1. Experience

This one seems like a no-brainer, right? But unfortunately, there are a lot of inexperienced real estate agents out there, and sellers need to choose their listing agent wisely. Look for an agent with an established track-record with a reputable broker. To get a sense of their experience, check out things like:

• Client reviews: What do other sellers have to say about them?
• Peer-given awards: Does the agent have any awards from local or professional associations, like the National Association of REALTORS®?
• Current listings: What kind of properties is the agent listing, and how active are they in the market?

2. Local Knowledge

At Hermann London, we’re focused on one thing: St. Louis real estate. There are a lot of big name brokers out there with fancy logos and empty slogans, but the fact is, they don’t know the local market. Every real estate market is different. When you’re selling your home, you want a local agent that knows the area — and knows what buyers are looking for.

Pro Tip: When looking for a real estate agent to list your home, ask questions specific to your area to determine how well they know the local market. Agents should be knowledgeable about your community or neighborhood, as well as nearby homes for sale and amenities.

3. Personality

Not only will you be working closely with your agent, but your agent will be working closely with the buyer’s agent and others involved in your home sale. Just like your home’s curb appeal, the first impression of a listing agent matters. You want an agent that is both personable and professional.

Pro Tip: Trust your gut. You and your real estate should hit it off from the get-go. If you don’t “click” with your agent (or you don’t think potential buyers will), they’re probably not the right agent for you.

4. Tech Know-How

We’re not in Kansas anymore (we’re in St. Louis, actually). The 21st-century real estate is a whole new ball game, and agents that embrace cutting edge technology get results. At Hermann London, our St. Louis real estate agents are tech savvy and leverage things like online listings and social media to drive sales for their clients.

A “For Sale” sign in the front yard and a Sunday open house are important, but they just don’t cut it alone.

5. REALTORS®

Not every real estate agent is a REALTOR®. REALTORS® are members of the National Association of REALTORS®, and are held to a higher standard, a strict Code of Ethics. Working with a real estate agent gives you the confidence and peace of mind that come with knowing your agent is motivated by your best interests — not commission.

Learn more real estate lingo in our recent post, “Real Estate Terms: Understanding the Lingo.”

6. Licensing

Real estate agents are licensed and disciplined by state boards. Verify that an agent is licensed — and view any disciplinary history — by searching online or checking with your state’s board. St. Louis Realtors are licensed by the Missouri Real Estate Commission, for example.