Selling or buying a home is a crazy process. It can be quick and painless or long and laboured. It involves every emotion you’ve ever had and probably a few new ones you didn’t even know existed. And I am certain of one thing: no one can predict exactly how a transaction will go down.  It is also impossible to imagine everything that could possibly go wrong. I’ve had sellers get arrested and end up in jail. I’ve had buyers go completely missing after their offer was accepted. I’ve had to get landlords to agree to some of the most outrageous requests from tenants. Crazy. Things. Happen. Therefore, it is so important to work with an agent that is right for you. Your friends may highly recommend someone, or you may click with the first agent you interview to sell your home. 

I have learned that there are a few key qualities in an agent that can mean the difference between having a stressful experience or a smooth one, no matter what happens. Here are the top five traits you should look out for:

1. Communication

How you and your agent communicate is incredibly important. Do you have a rapport with this person? Is this someone you can imagine discussing very intimate details of your life with? Make sure you discuss with them how you will communicate throughout the process. How often can you expect updates? How quickly do they return emails? If a sale is stressful, it is almost always due to poor communication between the seller and their agent. 

2. Partnership

The stages throughout a sale are like the seven stages of grief. That is because even the best of real estate transactions can hit emotional bumps. Is your agent going to have your back, be on your team and guide you through this process? This sometimes means delivering some hard truths. You and your agent are partners in the process of getting your house sold or getting you into the house of your dreams. This often means not saying yes to you every time you make a request. Your agent should go above and beyond for their client, but also know when they need to be honest about what’s reasonable for the sake of the sale. 

3. Perseverance

It’s not unusual to think that you have a deal all signed and ready to go, only to have it all fall apart. Welcome to real estate! You want an agent who isn’t afraid to get back up again (and again, and again) after having the wind knocked out of their sails. Find out how the agent you are interviewing has dealt with challenges in the past. Ask them what their toughest situation has been and how they handled it. Ask this question – Is this agent going to stick with you until the job is done no matter what happens? 

4. Energy

Let’s be real, a great suit or dress and expensive shoes make a great impression, but at the end of the day it is all about energy. Does the agent exude confidence and determination? The best clothes in the world will not mask fear and apprehension. Would you consider buying something from this agent? Do you get a sense of excitement from this person? The right energy from an agent will get buyers excited which ultimately gets you to a sale quicker. 

5. Follow-up

I am obsessed with follow-up. You can learn so much about working with someone based upon how they approach follow-up. Do you receive a friendly, personal email from them detailing why they want to sell your property? Do they call to see if you have any further questions? If they follow-up with you in a timely, personal but professional way, you’re getting a sneak preview of how they’ll treat you and respond to enquiries and offers on your property. 

Before selecting an agent, make sure that person will be there for you – that you are not just another transaction. Hire the person that will be a partner in what will hopefully be a drama-free journey that ends with you getting just what you hoped for. 

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