Buyers and Sellers: Are you looking at hiring a real estate professional? Check out these FIVE red flags before doing your research.
There are a lot of great REALTORS® out there.. but there are also a few ones that will not be the best fit for you. When looking at hiring a professional, it is sometimes easier to choose who NOT to work with from the beginning to avoid lots of problems.
1. They don't do their due diligence 🚩
By conducting thorough due diligence, REALTORS® help their clients make informed decisions and mitigate risks associated with real estate transactions.
If you have a feeling your REALTOR® just wants to close the deal to cash a pay cheque and does not want to do the work aka.without looking at the proper information and/or does not have your best interest at heart, you should definitely have a talk with them or seek new representation.
2. They don’t offer professional photography 🚩
This one is mainly for sellers. We’ve come a long way with marketing when it comes to listing a house. Professional photography should be done no matter what. Why? Because those pictures are what will attract potential buyers to your property and sell your home online.
Nowadays, most REALTORS® will offer professional photography, floor plans, virtual tours and aerial pictures in their marketing package. Not all of these are necessarily needed, depending on the type of property you have, but you should always ensure your home will be showcased at its best.
3. They are working with too many buyers at once 🚩
This one is mainly for buyers but can apply to sellers as well, especially if you have a lot of questions during the process. You want to ensure that your REALTOR® is available for you most of the time. The only way to know is to ask:
- How many buyers or how many sellers do you currently work with?
- Do you have somebody else I can rely on when you won’t be available on short notice?
Depending on your expectations and need in a professional, you can then determine whether or not that agent is a good fit for you or not.
For most buyers, it is important to have somebody available on short notice, but also who has a backup plan (aka, a colleague who can also show homes on their behalf) as homes in the Greater Moncton Area are rarely staying on the market for too long.
4. Their marketing is from the ’90s 🚩
Wait, you mean nobody searches for homes in the newspaper anymore? Good advertisement is what will attract the most potential buyers for your home. Sure, your home will get notified on MLS® and on the street, once the sign is up, but some potential buyers might be hiding a little bit better and it is your REALTOR®’s job to make sure they find their way to your property!
Make sure to ask your REALTOR® what is their marketing experience and how they will put your home out there.
5. They do it for a side gig 🚩
While there may be many competent part-time realtors, there are a few things to consider here: You do not want the highest and most important investment of your life to be handled as a hobby. Real estate is a complex field, and some people may benefit from working with someone who dedicates all their time to working in the field.
Ask:
- What are your availabilities?
- How often should I expect communication on your end? Are you reachable at any time of day?
- How many transactions have you done in the past?
Hiring a team of professionals you can trust and rely on at any time is crucial, not only when selling and buying, but also to help you throughout your home ownership journey. Make sure you choose a REALTOR® you get along with, so you can keep building a trustworthy relationship for many years to come.
