While being a realtor naturally centers on your ability to effectively sell a home, there are many other traits that clients look for when choosing a realtor to help them buy or sell their property. A real estate license will get you started in the industry but your overall success will depend on how well you recognize what your clients want and need, as well as your ability to deliver it.
Top traits you’ll want in a realtor
There are many traits that will help a realtor be the best person for finding their client the perfect new home or condo. These are the traits we consider to be some of the most important ones.
1. Great communication
Returning calls in a timely manner, responding to text messages and being available to listen when your client has questions is essential for a successful real estate agent. When you provide clear directions to homes being viewed, respond clearly to emails and are in regular contact with your client you increase their confidence in you as their realtor.
2. Trustworthiness & honesty
Clients know they need to be able to trust the person who is going to help them sell or buy a home. Knowing that they’ll be apprised of important details as they come up and treated with nothing but honesty through the process gives your clients faith that you’ll always have their best interests at heart.
3. The ability to be a teacher
The ability and willingness to walk your client through all the things they’re about to experience can help the entire process go more smoothly. Taking the time to explain the timing of everything- like how long it might take to find a home or how quickly they’ll have to move when they find one they like, the forms you’ll be having them fill out, the possible contingencies they could face and any barriers they might encounter can help things go off without a hitch.
4. Specialization
If you’re looking for a specific property type, select a specialist in that area. For example, if you’re in the market for a resale condo or pre-construction condo, there are only a select few agents that have relationships with builders. What that means? Often, it means early access to the best units for sale when a new building is launched – before access to the general public!
If you’re looking for a realtor in the Burlington, Oakville, Hamilton and Niagara ON area, call All in Realty! Particularly if you’re looking for a pre-construction condo – our team has the relationships to get you in on the “ground floor” or whatever floor you prefer! Learn more.
5. Personal proof
Though it makes sense that a realtor won’t own property in every area they’re selling in, if you do live or invest in a neighbourhood or city that you are showing a client it can prove that you believe in what you are selling.
6. Great negotiation skills
Negotiating a great deal for your client is an essential feature of a great real estate agent. Whether the goal is to lower the purchase price, to reduce the conditions or increase their selling price by a few thousand, the willingness to fight for their best interests is an appealing trait in a real estate agent.
7. A good reputation
Word of mouth is one of the best ways to gain new clients. When you create an amazing buying or selling experience for your clients the word will no doubt spread and help your reputation grow.
8. Great connections
Buying or selling a home isn’t a one-man job so having solid connections with lawyers, mortgage brokers, staging companies and renovation teams can help show your client that you mean business.
9. Solid industry knowledge
The best real estate agent is one that is able to quickly and accurately answer their client’s questions. Whether they want to know about schools in the area or the average selling price in the neighbourhood, the better you can answer their questions, the more faith they’ll have in you as their agent.
10. An understanding of what the client wants
Having some intuition and ability to put pieces together for your client can do a lot to build your reputation as a real estate agent. Whether your client has been buying and selling for years or is brand new to the industry they’ll no doubt need your advice and expertise.
Great skills make for a great career
When your clients seek out a realtor to sell or buy their home, they are looking for an honest, motivated and knowledgeable realtor to hold their hand through the process. While it may seem simple to you, it’s likely an intimidating and stressful time for them. So, the more you are able to guide, educate and fight for them, the better you’ll do in the industry.
