How to choose the right Real Estate Agent for you

Choosing the right real estate agent is an important task. As you move through the buying and selling process, you’ll get to know your agent quite well (and they’ll get to know you too!), so it makes sense to pick someone you’d be happy to have a beer with while you sign the sales and purchase agreement.

Of course, it’s not all about personal compatibility. There are a few key things you should consider on your journey to finding an agent, and it pays to put in some groundwork because the right agent can see you through many years of buying and selling.

All real estate agents are different, and each have their own unique skills and ways of relating to people.

To start creating a shortlist of potential agents, ask your friends who they recommend and get in touch with a couple for an initial chat. You don’t need to go full house appraisal just yet - just call them up for a chat about their sales experience and general approach to real estate.

You could also head to a few open homes in your area to check out different agents’ styles and first impressions. Do they make you feel welcome? How’s their energy? How do they engage with you? 

From here, we’d suggest refining a list of 2-3 people to eventually choose from.

Does your agent have an active network of buyers in your area? Great agents will have great contacts and could potentially have buyers at the ready as soon as you give them your business.

Another good sign to look for is their community involvement. Are they out and about, do they sponsor or support any local groups or sports? Being visible in the community can be a good indication of their networking ability.

Thanks to online profiles, it’s easy to check any agent’s sales history. How many houses have they sold, and how much did these homes go for? Have they sold in your area before? What were the average sold times (days on market)?

You can be straight up with them too and ask how they’ve gone if a house has proven more difficult than usual to sell, or how they approached selling during a market lull. If an agent can prove their tenacity and ability to think outside the square, chances are this is a skill they’ll carry over to your property.

It’s one thing to be successful on your own, but another thing entirely to have the resources and support of a successful agency.

Agents who operate from a well-regarded agency have access to more resources, such as innovative marketing techniques, buyer insights and networks, and quick paperwork turnarounds. 

And longevity can be an advantage. Lodge has been helping Hamilton locals buy and sell homes since 1969. Earning local trust over more than 50 years means we’re often the first point of contact for buyers and sellers looking for their next move. 

More listings mean more open homes, more enquiries, and more conversations with people looking for a new home. Plus, our signs and advertising are prominent are prominent throughout Hamilton, a pretty good indicator of our market reach.

Crucially, you’ll want to know your agent is licenced with the Real Estate Authority and whether they have any other relevant qualifications or certifications. You can also check with the Real Estate Authority to see if they’ve had any complaints upheld in the last three years.

Real estate agents these days should also demonstrate a fair amount of digital nous. Ask them how they use digital and social media to market houses, and how well they can understand and translate the online reach of your property. 

Remember, you’re well within your rights to check their references and reviews. Past clients’ feedback can be invaluable, and a quick search through Google Reviews is a good starting point.