BY NURUL ASMUI MD AZMI

In the process of buying your dream house or selling your current home, finding the right agent is one of the most crucial parts. How would you know if the real estate agent won’t leave you hanging without any news? How would you know if the agent butchers your transaction and leaves you with no place to call home?

To avoid such dilemma, there are things you can ask and pay extra attention to when meeting a real estate agent.

Remember, a good real estate agent will offer you unique insights and also help you reduce some of the stress by helping you focus on what really matters. To confirm that you are meeting a legit real estate agent, be sure to check articles and news so you don’t end up dealing with an impostor. As published in StarProperty.my, the Board of Valuers, Appraisers and Estate Agents Malaysia (BOVAEA) said that the public should be aware of con artists posing as real estate negotiators. They are advised to ask for the Real Estate Negotiator (REN) numbers, which all negotiators should have.

So whether you are buying or selling, here are 9 ways to spot a good agent.

1. Knowledge is power

First things first. Make sure the real estate agent is up-to-date on the latest topics in the local real estate market. A knowledgable agent will be able to help you more effectively with current property value and trends.

Read up on the latest property news and do your own research so you can “test” the agent with property-related questions. If they don’t know much more than you, then it is probably best to move on to the next agent - after all, it should be within his/her expertise.

2. Good years of experience
You will want a real estate agent who has been working for few years and has sealed many successful deals. More deals means more experience. The agent will be adept at handling customers wanting to buy your house, or finding the right house that suits your need.

Bear in mind, a good agent doesn’t just sell properties, but also sell their personality when they first meet you. If the agent is willing to share their past experience and share how they can really help you, then the agent might just be the one for you.

3. Specialisation is key

Several area specialists obtained from propwall.my.

Though some real estate agents have multiple specialities, try to find an agent who specialises in what you want. If you are selling or buying a house in a certain area, look for the area specialist. For example, if you search for an area on Propwall.my, you can see which agent is the specialist in that particular area.

Another thing to note is the type of property you are selling or buying. If you are looking to invest, find an agent who generally works with investors. If you’re selling or buying an apartment, don’t go for an agent who hardly sells apartments.

4. Positive references

So, how exactly can you tell whether an agent is honest and will not put his or her own best interest before yours? One thing that you can definitely do to ensure that you will be working with a sincere and ethical real estate agent is to ask the agent for a list of past clients.

Ask the real estate agent to provide you with a list of contact information that you can call for references, and also for what they have listed and sold in the prior year. If the agent doesn’t have anything to hide, then he or she will be more than willing to hand you those information.

To be fair to the agent, before you start contacting the agent’s previous clients, ask the agent if anyone will be particularly satisfied or displeased. A good agent should have a good reputation with a high degree of professionalism.

Honest agents will want prospective clients to know how satisfied their past clients have been with their service, and they would be eager to tell about whom they have worked with.

5. Feel the chemistry

Rapport is very much important when it comes to choosing a good real estate agent. Even if you are meeting an agent who is highly recommended by friends or families, make sure that you have good chemistry with the agent. This is when you go with your gut.

Ask yourself these question when you first meet the agent: Does the agent understand what you want? Will you feel comfortable sharing all sorts of personal and financial information with the agent? Is this the agent that you are willing to spend your time with? If your answer is ‘no’, ’no’, and ‘no’, then it is best to keep looking.

6. Good listener

During the first meeting with a real estate agent, don’t be shy to tell about your schedule and how you would like to work with the agent, and what you are expecting from the deal. A good agent will be understanding of what you want and will try to meet your requirements.

Also, if you are able to express your concerns to your agent without any major disagreement, then you are in good hands. Plus, giving the agent constructive feedback will definitely help him/her succeed in the long run.

7. Hard-working and committed
A popular and hard-working real estate agent is good news. However, this agent can be in high demand that he or she might be too busy serving many clients at once. You might end up not getting the attention that you need.

If you find that an agent is not working effectively and starts passing you to an assistant, then it might be the right time to pass on the agent too. Move on to another agent who will have time for you.

8.  True interest

Does the real estate agent appear interested in your property, or does it look like the agent is just browsing in hopes of adding to their listing?

If the agent shows true interest in houses and architecture when conversing with you, then you can bet that the agent really care about the property industry.

9. Creative marketing

If you are looking for a good real estate agent to sell your home, then you should know how the agent will be marketing your home. Ask if there will be flyers handed out to potential buyers, if they will be doing a site tour, and if they are willing to assist with staging your home. This is the perfect time to see the overall picture of how the agent will be working. So ask all the necessary questions.

Many successful agents will know how to develop creative listings to attract serious buyers and showcase a house to make it appear more marketable. If you are happy with the answers given by the agent, and you are confident that your property will be profitable, then choosing the agent will be the right decision.

Finding a good real estate agent has a huge impact on whether you sell your home, or buy the perfect home. In certain cases, you might need to spend a lot of time with your agent. So choosing the right one will make the process of selling or buying your house significantly easier and more successful.

Keep in mind, that you are choosing a stranger for a highly important task. You have the right to demand for someone that you can trust.