Is your Realtor looking out for your best interests? You should consider changing Realtors if you notice the following:
- 1. You don’t see eye to eye
You find yourself in constant disagreement with your Realtor. Your viewpoints are on opposite ends of the spectrum and it’s impossible to meet halfway. If you and your Realtor can never see eye to eye on both small and major issues, it’s time to look for someone else. - 2. They repeatedly ignore your requests
Sheer neglect should be enough for you to want to switch Realtors. If your agent doesn’t give you timely updates on the transaction, and you feel like nothing is being actively done to help you buy or sell a home, then you need to give them the slip. - 3. Communication issues
Communication is the key to any working relationship. If the Realtor is slow to take calls or return messages, that’s a sure sign that you need to find another one. The same is true if they fail to make their terms clear, or if they are unable to explain important steps in the buying or selling process. - 4. They only work part time
Not all Realtors work full time. However, this can compromise their service quality since real estate transactions require them to be available at any time during work hours. Give your Realtor the boot if their limited involvement jeopardizes your interests. - 5. They don’t have a marketing plan
You might start having doubts if the Realtor isn’t proactively marketing your home. If you can’t find your listing online and you aren’t getting any offers, then it’s time to find a Realtor who can market your home effectively. A good agent will exhaust all means to promote your property. - 6. You have reason to believe that they’re not showing you all offers
This is a huge concern for sellers. Working with a listing agent usually means that they must show your home to anyone who might be interested including their own buyers, other agents’ buyers, and buyers who are not working with an agent.It’s also their job to show you all offers on the home – even lowball offers, since they are expected to negotiate all offers upward to an acceptable rate.
However, you might have to let them go if they are only bringing their own buyers in order to get a higher commission. The same goes if you repeatedly learn about interested buyers through sources other than your Realtor.
- 7. They don’t know key details about the home
When selling, the Realtor should be able to answer questions about the home. Make sure they know about the property’s size, features, design, and history. While it’s true that most agents handle multiple sales at a time, it’s not an excuse for them to not know key information about your home. - 8. They can’t navigate the neighborhood
Whether you’re buying or selling a home, your Realtor should be familiar with the neighborhood. Only a local expert can have a good understanding of market trends, real estate developments, and recreational opportunities in the area. This type of knowledge will make it easier for you to achieve your goals.
Not sure what to look for in a Realtor? Check out the Michelle McQuade Real Estate Group blog for more information.