As a Buyer or Seller, does it really matter if your Real Estate Agent works for Keller Williams, EXP, Atlanta Communities, Ansley Real Estate or all of the other Brokerages not named? I’m here to tell you… it sure as hell does not. Every single one of these brokers can have the best agents in the industry, as well as the worst agents in the industry. So what does matter when it comes to buying or selling a house? The Real Estate Agent is the only part of this equation that matters and the resources that this Agent has to provide to you.
We’ve all seen your local Realtor’s “BIG ANNOUNCEMENT” that typically revolves around the build up of telling their clients “I joined a new brokerage”. I’m just going to come out and say it, no one gives a shit Sally. As a client what does this have to do with you and your transaction? Does the fact that they now claim to have access to better resources or their brokerage ONLY sells luxury matter to you? Because I am here to tell you, it should not. If Sally was not a great agent with brokerage A then she will not be a great agent with brokerage B and vice versa.
What should matter to you as a client then? The qualities of a good agent boil down to the qualities your ideal partner or spouse should also have. They should be trustworthy, consistent, sharp, make use of the resources provided to them, be honest, be willing to be straight up with you when you need it. Agents will claim to have all of these qualities due to their brokerage, but really it boils down to what agent wants it the most. Not what agent was able to pass their Real Estate Exam, but what agent thrives on helping their client, on winning the deal and on negotiating like a maniac. It boils down to who is willing to go above and beyond to show you what a stress-free real estate transaction looks like. How do you qualify or disqualify agents when interviewing them then? You ask questions a lot of them, you gather reviews of past clients, you do your research and then you make your decision. But Chelsea, what questions do we ask? Let’s talk about it.
Questions to ask your Future Real Estate Agent:
- How long have you been in the business? (If not long, are you on a team that provides you resources to properly answer questions that you do not know the answers to?)
- How are you going to help guide me in the buying and selling process? Please provide me with a step-by-step timeline of what each process looks like.
- What does the communication between us look like and when should I anticipate hearing from you during the week?
- How does your communication look like with the other Real Estate Agent on the other side of the deal?
- Will you fight hard for my money during the negotiation process?
- Do you have a list of inspectors, specialists, and vendors that have been vetted by you to provide to me?
- When we look at homes will you be able to point out major items of concern so that I am aware of a potential issue prior to paying for an inspection?
The list could honestly go on and on and it is different for a Buyer vs. Seller. I will speak to all of these questions more on future blog posts, but I hope this gives you a guide and basis to start this home journey. Once again, I am able to help in your home buying or selling process no matter what state you live in.
Reach out to my email at [email protected] or connect with me on Instagram @chelseanmanning
Let’s go get some EQUITY!
Chelsea, your Millennial Realtor.
