Choosing the right real estate agent can make or break your experience. While many agents are skilled professionals, some display warning signs that could cost you time, money, and unnecessary stress. Let’s take a look to the key red flags to watch for when selecting a realtor.
Communicate
If your agent takes weeks to respond, gives vague answers, or leaves you feeling uninformed, that’s a major concern. A lack of communication can lead to confusion, frustration and mistakes.
Respect your decisions
A good agent will guide you, but a bad one will try to pressure you into decisions you’re not comfortable with. If your agent seems more focused on rushing the sale than helping you make the right choice, it’s a sign their priorities may not align with yours.
Give you market knowledge
A real estate agent should be an expert in the local market. If yours struggle to answer basic questions about home values, neighborhood details, or recent sales, they may not have the experience needed to represent you effectively.
Offer a solid strategy
Be wary of agents who promise quick sales at top dollar with no real strategy to back it up. If their claims seem too good to be true, they probably are. A trustworthy agent will provide you realistic expectations and a solid action plan.
Negotiate
If an agent struggles to advocate for your interests or quickly folds under pressure, you could end up with a deal that’s not in your favor. Negotiation skills are essential, especially in a competitive market, and someone who avoids tough conversations may not be the best choice to represent you.
If something feels off about an agent, trust your gut. A real estate transaction is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make, and choosing who is the right person to help you through the whole process, is not a decision that should be taken lightly.
