If you are looking to list your home for sale, or you are looking for your next dream home, signing a contract with a real estate agent can be a daunting task.  Successful real estate agents are out there, you just need to know where to look, and what qualities to look for.  The first step in selecting a realtor for your needs is to ask friends, family and colleagues for referrals.   But, don’t take their word alone; use the 7 traits below as a guideline and carefully screen several agents prior to signing a contract.

Honesty

A real estate agent must be honest, even brutally so. You are contracting with a real estate professional to help you sell or buy a property.  You need to be able to trust and respect the information they give you.  When selling a property, your agent must set the proper expectations for time on market, and for the estimate sales price. If your expectations are too high, then they must communicate that to you and educate you on market dynamics.  The same is true if you are in the market to purchase a home; if your budget is simply too low for your demands, an honest real estate agent will communicate that with you and provide you with viable options.

Patience

Buying and selling real estate is a journey.  Rarely does it happen overnight. You and your real estate agent must exhibit patience, and perseverance to ensure that you get the results you desire.  Even in a “buyer’s market” it can take time to find the right property, in the right neighborhood, for the right price, that you will enjoy for years to come.  And, when selling your home, both you and your agent need to have patience.  A rock start real estate agent will stick with you and your property, adjusting the marketing plan for your property as time moves forward.

Assertiveness

Meek or shy real estate agents typically do not last long in the business.  Real estate is all about getting in front of the right buyers and negotiating with other real estate agents.  An assertive real estate agent knows the market, the value of the property, and fights for what is best for their client.  They must be assertive in their pursuit of buyers, even going out on a limb to bring people to their listing, and in negotiations on your behalf for the purchase of a property.

Passion

The most successful real estate agents have a passion for the real estate industry. With this passion come great market knowledge and an insight into buyers, sellers, and other real estate agents.  As with any profession, the elite performers are doing more than just a job, they are working in a field that challenges, motivates and excites them.  Real estate is more personal than many industries; finding your next dream home, or selling your property –is personal, and you need a real estate agent with great knowledge, communication skills, patience and passion.

Creative Spirit

This is often overlooked, but a creative spirit is commonly found in rock star real estate agents.  Creatively marketing your property and creative problem solving are at the core of every great realtor.  Creative professionals know how to target and capture the best potential clients.  When listing a home in a buyer’s market, you need a realtor that thinks outside the box and is willing to break the traditional rules of marketing to sell your home.  When searching for a home, you need a realtor that can find creative solutions to your needs, whether it be the purchase of a fixer-upper or a different neighborhood; creative thinkers in real estate are your best ally.

Strong Networking Skills

The real estate industry, maybe more so than any other, is truly dependent on the networking skills of agents.  Agents must work closely and collaborate with other agents, with appraisers, developers, landlords, and their clients.  If you are buying or selling a home, seek a realtor that is well connected and respected in your area; their network will open doors for your real estate needs.

Tenacity

Above all, you want your real estate agent to be tenacious.  Rock star real estate agents are determined and persistent to achieve their goals.  They routinely go the extra mile for their clients to ensure that their real estate needs are met.  Tenacious real estate agents have exceptional market knowledge and understand that they have to adapt and change messaging to meet the needs of their clients.  Their persistent determination is exactly what you want when seeking to buy or sell real estate.

If you are buying or selling a house and are looking to hire a successful real estate agent to help you through the process, take a look at AgentHarvest's list of top-ranking local Realtors in your area. We found these agents by examining their sales track records, awards, rankings, client testimonials and by conducting personal interviews.