In this ever changing market, finding a great realtor is essential to your home buying and selling experience. What are some qualities you should look for?

Hire someone who does the job every day and knows the market in that moment, not what was happening last month. Ask how many buyers and sellers have they gotten to the closing table in the last three months. If the answer is none, you probably will want to keep looking. Your aunt who just helps friends and family is probably not the best choice.

You want someone who has been doing the job long enough that they have encountered difficult situations (homes not appraising, unresponsive realtor on the other side, bad tenant situation, etc.) and have learned how to navigate these challenges. Do you get the sense that they feel like they have already arrived and have nothing left to learn or that they don’t yet know what they don’t know? You want someone with experience that is always striving to get better at their job.

Just like any professional you work with, you want to make sure that you connect with them and communication is good. Have a long enough conversation with them to make sure you are on the same page. Let them know your expectations for communication. Buying and/or selling a home is one of the most important and often stressful times in your life. The last thing you want is a professional that doesn’t get back with you in a timely manner or that you feel is indifferent to your needs.

Use a local realtor. If you live in Watkinsville, don’t use a realtor who lives in Atlanta or even Gwinnett County. You need someone who knows the very local market and who is part of the Athens Area Board of Realtors.

Pick someone who is not looking to just get this one sale done, but someone who knows the importance of developing a client for life, that has your best in mind even if it means not closing a sale.

I believe that having a great agent in your corner can make all the difference.

Lastly, did you know that I can help you find a high-quality realtor in a different part of Georgia or even a different state?  I have built and continue to build a referral network of good real estate agents across the United States.  This past year I had several out-of-state realtors reach out and refer me to their clients who are looking to move to our local area. This is no extra cost to the buyer/seller because agents give each other a small fee once the property closes. I am more than happy to help you or a loved one find a really good agent for where you want to move!