Whether you want to sell or buy a new home, working with the right real estate agent greatly influences the process. A brilliant real estate agent can help you find your dream home quickly or help sell your property in the least time possible. Buying property is such a significant investment, so it’s best to take your time researching and vetting real estate agents to find the best one. Check out these five qualities to look for when evaluating real estate agents.

They should be well-versed in real estate trends.

The real estate agent you choose should be well versed in real estate market trends. For instance, they should be able to discuss what property inventory that suits your price range is available. They should also confidently reveal the number of days properties stay in the market in neighborhoods you are interested in.

You can ask the agent about their list-to-sale ratio, which compares the selling price versus what the seller was hoping to get. But ensure you understand how the sale to list ratio works in your housing market before using it to choose a real estate agent.

Extensive knowledge of the neighborhood

It is best to work with a real estate agent who knows the neighborhood you are interested in inside and out. A local real estate agent can tell the developments expected in the area, the schools available, upcoming HOA assessments in a community, the percentage of listing price houses in the location that usually sells, etc. They can give you a feel of the community or neighborhood to help you make an informed buying decision.

They have positive reviews.

Positive reviews and more recommendations are advantageous when choosing a real estate agent. A real estate agent with affiliations to local real estate associations or groups is also an added advantage. Review how long they have been in the industry, the awards and acknowledgments they have received, and so forth. Check out their references as well and their reviews.

They should have the proper credentials for your needs.

Apart from the licensing, your real estate agent should have the proper affiliations and credentials that help them carve out a niche. Real estate agents with special training or who specialize in a specific real estate niche can serve your individual needs in a better way. For instance, a real estate agent with special training in luxury home marketing is well versed in the luxury real estate market. So, consider hiring a real estate agent with special training that can serve your individual needs.

They have time for you.

You want to work with a real estate agent who has time for your needs and has your best interests at heart. Do they have enough time to invest in your property search? Are they available to how you open houses? These are some of the questions you should evaluate when hiring a real estate agent.

The bottom line

You should only work with a real estate agent who takes your needs seriously and is well versed with the neighborhood you are interested in.