Both buyers and sellers need (or, at least, could benefit from) the services of a real estate agent. The process of buying/selling real estate can be more than a little intimidating, especially for first-timers. But using a bad agent can make matters even worse, and that’s something you want, no doubt, to avoid. So to help you steer clear of bad agents, here are 4 signs of a bad real estate agent in Newark.
What a Good Agent Does
But before we get into the signs of a bad real estate agent in Newark, let’s take a look at what a good real estate agent does or should do so that you’ll have something to compare against. At a bare minimum, here’s what a good agent does/should do . . .
- Provide pricing expertise – Many sellers simply don’t know “the true worth of their homes. As a result, they are likely to overprice or underprice a house when selling. Since the real estate agent is familiar with the prices of similar homes in your area, they can help list your property at the right price. Similarly, a real estate agent can help ensure you don’t overpay for [a] property for sale.”
- Get access to the MLS and other listing venues – Your agent will likely have access to listings and listing venues that you won’t have on your own. This gets you access to more listings and more places to list your home.
- Vet contractors – “Selling or buying [a property] involves working with appraisers, inspectors, title companies, staging companies, and home repair professionals. A good real estate agent will be able to find the best contractors in the market.”
- Deploy negotiation skills – Whether you’re selling or buying, a good agent can, through negotiation, get you the best deal possible.
- Ensure you follow legal regulations – A real estate transaction involves legal technicalities and is littered with legal pitfalls. An agent “can help ensure you don’t break any laws or incur any fines.”
- Handle paperwork – “Real estate transactions cannot happen without paperwork. Your agent will help draft the documents required for every stage of the transaction.”
Signs of a Bad Real Estate Agent in Newark
Now we come to the major signs of a bad real estate agent in Newark . . .
1. LACK OF LEADERSHIP AND PROACTIVITY
A good agent will demonstrate leadership and be proactive, but a bad real estate agent will be lacking in this area. It should send up a red flag when “your real estate agent agrees with you on every point. This is the sign of someone who’s eager to please – not someone who’s committed to doing the best possible job at representing your interests in the real estate market.”
Take pricing for example. “An agent who asks you what you think your home is worth and lists it for that price is a sign of trouble.” Instead, your agent should do the research and perform a CMA and should be willing to show that research.
Your agent should be an expert and take the lead in these matters. To discover more about this, contact a Newark agent at (848) 299-4847.
2. APPLYING TOO MUCH PRESSURE
Conversely, applying too much pressure is a sign of a bad real estate agent inNewark.
“While you should seek out a real estate agent who is knowledgeable enough to have an educated opinion and confident enough to (respectfully) voice it, if you feel your agent pushing you in any particular direction, this should send up a red flag. Especially when you’re buying a home, there is no real reason an agent should want you to buy any particular home over another. If you get the feeling this isn’t the case, you could be being steered toward homes listed by your agent or your agent’s brokerage, which can produce additional commissions for your agent.”
Your agent’s job is to look out for your best interests. Her job is not to steer you in a certain direction for her benefit.
3. LITTLE COMMUNICATION
Another sign to be on the lookout for is a lack of communication. Your agent should keep you frequently updated throughout the transaction process and should be available and accessible for communication if you have questions or concerns.
“If you haven’t heard from your real estate agent in a few weeks, it’s time to find a new one. Even if no one has called for a showing of your home, or your agent hasn’t found any homes that meet your requirements as a buyer, he or she should be touching base with you regularly to keep you up to date on the work being done on your behalf. After all, there’s no doubt you’re thinking about your home transaction almost daily. As an agent acting on your behalf, shouldn’t your real estate agent be keeping you in mind?”
4. DOING THE BARE MINIMUM
A final sign of a bad real estate agent in Newark is just doing the bare minimum and not using all available resources and tools.
A good agent will use all the resources/tools at her disposal to market your home or help you find the right home. A bad agent, on the other hand, “will do next to nothing and rely on other real estate agents to market your home to their clients.”
Where to Find a Good Real Estate Agent in Newark
Now you know what to look for to avoid a bad agent, but where do you find a good (or even great) agent? The easiest and safest course here is to work with a trusted, reputable agency. If you really want to avoid bad agents and find a good real estate agent in Newark, then contact us today at (848) 299-4847.