Choose the right Calgary REALTOR® for you!

It’s official. You’ve decided to buy a home or sell the home you currently own. Adrenaline starts pumping, and excitement sets in as you begin to envision your new home and lifestyle. And then it happens. Your mind becomes a tangled web of what ifs, questions, and the anxiety of long lists that will eventually need checking off. Are you wondering where to even start? The answer is obvious. You will need to choose the right Calgary Realtor® for you!

Hiring the right real estate will uncomplicate the process of selling or buying a home and should make the experience a pleasant one. Their expertise and experience in the field will help make the moving process smooth and stress-free. So how do you find the right agent who checks all the boxes?

With an abundance of real estate agents flooding the career field, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the faces of realtors advertised on buses, benches, and on social media. So which one do you pick up the phone and call? One of the best things you can do for yourself is to research the local real estate agents and keep an eye out for any red flags.

What to look for in a Calgary Realtor® :

1. How long have they been working in the field? Is this their primary job or a side gig?
2. Do they have a deep knowledge of the neighbourhoods in question?
3. What do they specialize in or have the most experience with? (first-time home buyers, condo or retirement living, etc.) – If their listings consist of million-dollar homes and your budget is nowhere near that, you may want to consider someone who deals with homes in your budget.

Check the number of reviews the real estate agent has on google or social platforms. How long ago were these reviews? Real estate agents with an active profile and plenty of recent reviews will be more informed about the current market state.

Of course, the best way to find a real estate agent that will match your needs is to ask all your friends and family, co-workers, or neighbours about their experience with any real estate agents they have used. Referrals are the best form of advertising for any real estate agent.

Be aware of these red flags when deciding which real estate agent to work with.

Poor Communication Skills

Your real estate agent should be genuine, and easy to trust. You should feel assured that they have only your best interest at heart. An excellent real estate agent should ask what may seem like too many questions at the time to learn all they can about you, your lifestyle, and your expectations. If you feel like few questions were asked, or they were only telling you what you wanted to hear, finding another realtor may be in your best interest.

Not Interested in Building a Long-term Relationship

All REALTORS® know that it is vital to the success of their careers to develop a trusted relationship with their clients. It is rare for anyone to live in the same house for their whole life, which means more business down the road for the realtor if they can build your trust. If your real estate agent doesn’t seem interested in a relationship, chances are that you are nothing more than a paycheck to them.

Pushes You Out of Your Comfort Zone

Any REALTOR® who does not have your best interest at heart will want to show you homes outside your budget, as this will increase their paycheck. A professional real estate agent will be able to inform you how much more a house you can get by increasing your budget by so much. A good one will never pressure you to increase your budget or look at homes you can’t afford.

Acts Impatient or Gets Frustrated Easily

If your real estate agent gets frustrated and tells you that you are too picky after seeing one or two homes, you may want to consider using someone else. The process should not seem rushed. After all, this is one of your life’s most significant financial decisions and investments.

Downplays Repairs the House May Need

Go with your gut feeling. If your real estate agent constantly dismisses potential repairs or issues when viewing homes, you may want to reconsider who you have working for you. If they don’t get excited with you about your plans to renovate or offer names of reputable contractors, they most likely do not have your best interest at heart.

Tells You a Home Inspection is Not Needed

This is a huge red flag, as home inspections are in the best interest of the seller and the buyer. When buying a home, the home inspection will provide information on the house, potential issues, items needing attention down the road, and their timeframe. When selling a home, a home inspection will alert the seller of any problems that could prevent the house from selling, giving them a chance to resolve the issues.