Picking a real estate agent is a challenge. It is a business and yet very personal relationship and you should make sure you’re getting into a good one. What should you be looking for in a listing agent or buyer’s agent you ask? Well it comes down to fining an agent with the right characteristics and personality traits.

Here are the top 6 traits you should be looking for when you evaluate the competition:

1. Determination and self motivation – Every real estate agent is essentially an entrepreneur. They close as many transactions a year as they want, it just depends on how much time and effort they put into each sale or purchase. Finding a self motivated agent who is actively engaged in the process on a regular and steady basis will benefit you.

Determination is also important in an agent when it comes to the tough times of a home sale or purchase. When you lose out against other offers on a house or a buyer drops out it can feel hopeless and frustrating. However a great agent will be determined to jump right back on the horse and start looking at more homes or putting on another open house to attract buyers. They’ve seen it all before and they know what it takes to succeed – resilience. When your agent is determined and motivated, the hurdles along the road to your real estate goals will become just little bumps.

2. Innovation – We all want a quick and easy real estate transaction that goes perfectly as planned but let’s be honest, that doesn’t always happen. There are sometimes problems securing a home loan because of the bank appraisal, you just can’t find the right home after search dozens and dozens of listings, the inspection reveals some scary damages and history, etc.

The list can go on and on and that’s why you want a creative agent who thinks on their toes. Someone who can roll with the punches and come up with solutions others couldn’t. The best agents are those who are flexible and innovation when they hit those speed bumps along the way.

3. Sociability – Now I’m not referring to how many dinner parties and events your agent attends, we’re talking about their ability to make social connections and network with others in the industry. If your agent has lots of connections in the industry then that means you do too.

For example, First Team agents work with non competing managers at each of our company branch offices and share advice, strategies, contacts and industry knowledge. The social nature of the work environment makes our agents better equipped to run their own business and in turn help buyers and sellers meet their real estate goals quicker and easier. With over 20 local offices and over 2,000 employees in the First Team family of companies, our agents are set up to succeed with the support of the entire family of companies and contacts.

4. Honesty – Honesty builds trust and that’s what you need to have with your real estate agent. You need to be able to trust their expertise in the field and trust that they understand your very personal real estate goals. When the going gets tough, honesty is what can turn your transaction around.

When it comes time to face the hard realities of the real estate game it is your agent’s honesty that you need to get back on track. Seller’s, you want an honest agent who will tell you that you need to adjust your listing price if there are no interested buyers. And buyer’s need to have a straight shooting agent to tell them if a home is out of their price range or if their offer won’t cut it to score their dream home. Honesty, and of course a bit of optimism, is key in the best real estate agents.

5. Professionalism – Agents interact with tons of contractors, specialists and other agents on a daily basis (see #3). Your agent is not only representing him or herself to peers but also you and your real estate interests so it’s important that your agent maintain a friendly professionalism. Your agent is your liaison to the world of real estate and such should be a way for you to put your best foot forward.

Your agent will be negotiating for you, working with the home appraiser, bank loan officers, lawyers, etc. and you want them to present you in a reliable, respectable and competent manner. Professionalism doesn’t just mean wearing a suit jacket, it means working well with others, compromising when it’s necessary and drawing a hard line when the time comes.

6. Loyalty – Loyalty is crucial personality trait for your real estate agent because that is what will build the trust you need during your home sale or purchase. You and your agent need to work as a team which means you need to be able to trust they know your goals and will stick to them when times get tough.

When your agent is negotiating, you want them to fight for the sale to include all appliances in the home if that’s what you really want. A loyal agent will put your needs and wants first. They will review all offers with you and support whatever decision you think is best. Loyalty in your agent will create a bond between you so that you’re comfortable and confident in the real estate process.

So when it’s time to choose an agent to work with, here are some helpful tips to make sure they’ve got the personality traits to succeed:

• Get referrals from friends, family, and co-workers to find agents that are trusted and others have loved.
• Check out agents in your area, local expertise is crucial in the real estate business. You can search by city for First Team offices and agents all across Southern California.
• Interview at least 3 different agents, you don’t want to settle for the first person who offers you help – at least not without scoping out the competition first.
• Get references and check them out! Hearing about other buyers and sellers’ experiences will let you know what’s in store for you.

When you take your time and know what to look for, finding a great agent won’t be hard at all! Call 888-870-1142 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. now and we’ll help you gather a short list of top agents in your area.

Originally posted at: http://www.firstteam.com/blog/?p=7912