Navigating the Real Estate Maze: Tips for Choosing the Right Agent

Written by Wena Roeloffze, REALTOR and Lifestyle Expert. Owner of Realty Club 74, brokered by Coldwell Banker Realty.

In the vast landscape of real estate, finding the perfect agent can be akin to discovering a needle in a haystack. Whether you're buying or selling a property, the expertise and guidance of a knowledgeable real estate agent can make all the difference in your experience. But with so many agents vying for your attention, how do you separate the wheat from the chaff?

Fear not, for we've compiled a comprehensive guide to help you navigate this daunting task. Here are some essential tips for choosing the right real estate agent for you:

1. Ask for a Referrals and Conduct Research: Before diving headfirst into the world of real estate, take the time to conduct thorough research. If you are looking to sell, browse online listings and look at photography, descriptions of properties and how fast the properties sold. There will surely be certain marketing aspects that catch your eye and some listings that would look really bland and unappealing. When selling your home, look for marketing that is professional, unique and highlight a property’s key features.

Read reviews about the agent and the brokerage, rather than looking at billboards and ads. Just because their face is on Zillow, does not mean they are good agents and the right fit for you - they pay a lot of money to be front and center on Zillow’s site. Don’t hesitate to ask for references. Hearing firsthand accounts of other people's experiences can provide valuable insights into an agent's professionalism, reliability, and overall performance.

Ask for recommendations from friends and family who had a great experience. If you are looking to buy, even ask your mortgage lender for a recommendation. They work with a lot of agents and can help to match you up with a great fit. Go to the website of a real estate agent, read their blogs and see if their message aligns with what you are looking for. With almost 17,000 real estate agents in Wisconsin, you have some work to do, but there is great reward in doing your due diligence in researching your perfect match.

2. Expertise Matters: While every agent has to start somewhere, experience often equates to expertise in the real estate industry. Seek out agents who have a wealth of experience in buying or selling properties similar to yours or a situation like yours (for example probate or estate sales). An experienced agent will have a deep understanding of market trends, pricing strategies, and negotiation tactics. The right agent will also understand the process, explain it well and have a transparent system in place.

The more specialized an agent is in a certain niche, the more expertise they can bring to your transaction. With so many components to a transaction and so many variables that can happen during the transaction phase, you definitely will benefit from an agent who is not only certified and designated in certain niches, but can also anticipate, plan and circumvent problems along the way.

Experienced agents make real estate look easy, just like professional sports players make it look easy to score the goals. Behind the scenes there are many moving parts to a transaction and your real estate agent’s job is to make your buying or selling experience as easy and stress-free as possible.

3. Interview the Agent Who is Applying to Work for You: Just as you wouldn't trust a doctor without a medical degree or taking the time to understand your ailment, it's essential to verify an agent's credentials before entrusting them with your real estate needs. Look for agents who are licensed, certified, and affiliated with reputable real estate organizations. These credentials serve as a testament to their professionalism and commitment to ethical practices.

If your agent does not offer initial and thorough consultations to understand your needs and requirements, communicate their process or educate you about the documents and processes ahead, you should definitely be interviewing another agent. It really doesn’t matter whether you are buying or selling, an initial consultation is key to understand what kind of service you will be paying for. Meeting an agent at a showing, without a consultation, is not very professional. Not all agents and clients “click”/are the right fit, and that is what you need to establish at the interview. Does this agent understand my situation, my timeline, my budget and considerations?

4. Communication is Key: Effective communication is the cornerstone of any successful real estate transaction, and for every business relationship for that matter. When evaluating potential agents, pay close attention to their communication style and responsiveness. A reliable agent should be readily available to address your concerns, answer your questions, and provide regular updates throughout the process. Moreover, the right agent will always tell you what the next steps are without you having to ask.

During the consultation it should be very clear what type of communication will happen and how it will happen. It should be clear on when everyone is available and which times not. It is quite impossible to be available night and day - be wary of anyone making that claim. There should be a clear written or verbal agreement on the process of communication and the preferred platform.

Together with communication is an important factor - social media communication. Be sure to know how your agent will handle social media aspects and if they have your consent. In this day and age where nothing is secret or confidential, it is wise to have a discussion about social media tags, messages and marketing.

5. Market and Marketing Knowledge: One of the most misunderstood or miscommunicated assets about real estate agents is that they should have local area knowledge. I don’t know who came up with that idea and why it stuck so long in everyone’s mind. Having local area knowledge is a nice-to-have, not a necessity.

When thinking about selling your home, doesn’t it make more sense to hire a real estate agent who is great at marketing, knows what will highlight your home’s key features and know what market it is to attract the most prospective buyers to your home with the right pricing strategy OR do you think a local area expert will do the trick?

The market is constantly changing and the real estate agent you are interviewing has to show or demonstrate their market knowledge. They also have to show or demonstrate what type of marketing will work best for your home. The same goes for buyers, your agent must show or demonstrate that they know the selling numbers for the type of home you want to make an offer on, be able to highlight an overpriced property and demonstrate negotiation strategies. That type of knowledge is far superior to knowing the local area and where you can have a great meal.

6. Compatibility: Buying or selling a home is a deeply personal experience, so it's essential to choose an agent with whom you feel comfortable with. Trust your instincts and pay attention to how well you connect with potential agents during your initial interactions. A strong rapport and mutual understanding can pave the way for a smooth and successful partnership.

You must feel super comfortable in sharing your thoughts about a home, talk about your uncertainties or fears relating to a home and feel that your agent completely understands your long term goals. You must also feel secure that your real estate agent is working for your best interest at all times.

Realty Club 74 and Wena Roeloffze are genuinely invested in your success. So don't rush the process—take your time, do your research, and trust your instincts. If you are thinking about selling or buying and want to schedule an interview, please fill out the form below and we will get in touch with you to set up a time to discuss your real estate journey.