Top 7 Traits of a Great Real Estate Agent

The real estate market is picking up and many people are once again searching for their dream home and many more are looking to finally move with the hope to sell their home and find another at a good deal. Sales are rising and a large number of homes are coming on the market, yet with all of the options available, where do you start in your search? You start with finding the best real estate agent to help you in your quest, since having a quality agent will help tremendously when looking for a home. Here is a list of the top 7 traits to look for when choosing a real estate agent.

1. Great customer service - phone courtesy.
   
   A great agent will answer the phone promptly and return phone messages in a timely manner. If you call a real estate office and get an answering machine, often the agent is on the other line or working with another home seeker. Yet if you've left a message and do not hear a response within one or two business days, you know it's time to call another agent. Save yourself the headache and find someone who will respond to your calls.
   
   
2. Great customer service - email courtesy.
   
   A great agent answers email promptly. Email has become a very effective form of communication since many people can receive an email at all hours of the day and any day of the week. They can respond without worrying about being intrusive and can often respond more quickly using phones, laptops, iPads, and other portable devices able to check emails. With this technology, if a real estate agent hasn't responded again withing a day or two of receiving your email, it is time once again to move on.
   
   
3. Website service - a helpful and informative website.
   
   A great real estate agent will have a great website. When looking at the site you can find out a lot about the agent by the content on the site and whether or not he or she will be helpful to you. A great agent will want to have an excellent site so that his or her clients can do their own research if they would like, giving them the independence to look into options on their own time. It will also give background information or pictures and other helpful information to make informed choices.
   
   
4. Website service - customized searches.
   
   A great agent will give you the option to set a search for homes based on your own criteria and receive regular updates as new properties become available. Better yet, the agent will set the search for you and will update it regularly per your request. This is a way for you to know what you want and act quickly when the time is right for you to buy your home.
   
   
5. Knowledge and Expertise - knows the area.
   
   Your great agent will have plenty of knowledge about the area in which you are looking and have information about neighborhoods, schools, and interests that may affect where you'd like to live. The agent will be knowledgeable about making wise choices based on your needs and desires in a home. And if there is something you'd like to know yet the agent doesn't know the response, they will be honest with you about it and do the research to help you find your answers.
   
   
6. Knowledge and Expertise - a proven track record.
   
   Often you can ask around for someone who has been proven to be of help. If you're in the town you are looking, you can ask friends, neighbors, and coworkers. If you're looking in another region or even in another country you can check testimonials online or even call and talk directly with the agent and ask about recent successes. If he or she hasn't sold at least 10 properties in the last year, it might be worth your while looking elsewhere.
   
   
7. General Like-ability Factor - the "it" factor for working with people.
   
   When speaking on the phone or meeting the agent in person, generally the way you feel when you are with them is a good indication of whether or not you should stick with them as an agent. If you have clashing personalities or just don't see eye to eye, or maybe they have a weird quirk that gets on your nerves, it doesn't mean that the person is a bad agent or can't help you find a home, but it is a factor to consider when deciding with whom you want to invest your time when looking for a home.

Tim Ryan specializes in helping buyers find great deals on Naples Real Estate. You can visit Tim's website where you can find thousands of Naples homes for sale.