Buying or selling a home is one of the most significant financial transactions most people will ever make. In today’s competitive and often unpredictable real estate market, hiring the wrong agent can lead to costly mistakes—mistakes that could result in losing your dream home or sacrificing tens, even hundreds of thousands of dollars in potential profit. Whether you’re navigating a multiple-offer scenario, pricing a home correctly, or negotiating repairs, the right guidance is essential. So how do you know you’re in good hands? Here are 4 signs of a great agent in Anderson who can help protect your investment and lead you to a successful closing.
Has Experience in Your Property Type
A used car salesman isn’t the same as a Tesla specialist—and most people would never confuse the two. Yet when it comes to real estate, many consumers overlook one crucial detail: the specific experience an agent has with different types of homes. One of the key signs of a great agent is having the right kind of experience for your property and your goals. Ask potential agents about their recent sales or do a little digging on sites like Zillow or Realtor.com. Look at how many transactions they’ve completed in the past year and what kinds of homes they’ve sold—single-family, condos, luxury properties, etc.
A seasoned or well-supported agent brings valuable insight, especially in today’s ever-changing market. Busy agents, in particular, have their finger on the pulse—they know if the market currently favors buyers or sellers, and they understand how to position your home or offer accordingly. Learning about an agent’s recent transactions also helps you gauge their mindset and strategy in current market conditions, which can be just as important as their experience level.
Provides Options Based on Professional Insight
A great agent doesn’t give one idea. Great agents look at market data to help determine a top and bottom price range based on the house size, quality, and amenities. Great agents have ideas on how to improve selling prices based on simple fixes or expensive overhauls and will give you details to help you decide if the investment is worth it.
Great buyer’s agents listen to the buyer’s wish list and help find properties that meet as many needs and wants while remaining in the budget. They also help educate buyers based on realistic market expectations and encourage buyers to get pre-approved for loans so they can move quickly.
Follows Up Promptly
Great agents respond to clients. In this day and age, everyone has cell phones and is accessible. Of course, agents have a right to enjoy time off as well, but within reason during business hours, great agents respond quickly. If an agent doesn’t answer immediately, they call back. If unavailable, they offer a secondary contact such as an assistant or a business partner.
Prompt communication is essential in real estate. Properties come onto the market constantly and offers are being written all the time. Once in the escrow process, great agents constantly help clients understand timelines and the influx of information coming at them.
A Rolodex of Resources
Great agents have resources for clients. Resources might include referrals to mortgage lenders or the ability to get a variety of home inspections done quickly through contractors they trust. Great agents offer resources but don’t require clients use their resources; it’s always the client’s choice.
In today’s real estate market, signs of a great agent go far beyond handling paperwork or referring required professionals for the transaction. A truly exceptional agent offers a full network of trusted local resources that can make the moving and settling-in process smoother for clients. Whether you need a reliable landscaper, handyman, contractor, painter, or even a recommendation for a nearby daycare or vet, a great agent is well-connected in the community. These valuable referrals help new homeowners feel supported long after closing—one of the many ways top agents go above and beyond in Anderson.