Recently a client asked what I thought makes for a good real estate agent in Charlotte...

In a nutshell? Three Things: Loyalty  Objectivity  Competence/Knowledge

Lets take a look at the possibilities: -

If an Agent was loyal and competent, but not objective, then his buyers and sellers would only get his opinionated advice. This is OK for the people who think exactly like that Agent- but it won't be OK for the 98% of people who don't agree or think alike. This is the source of so many of our fair housing laws and why the government is so strict here- in the bad old days of real estate, Agents would put there prejudice onto others and tell them where the "good areas" of town were, and where "people like them " would or would not live. It was used to steer folks to specific neighborhoods, and it kept neighborhoods segregated until the Fair Housing Act, with vigorous enforcement, abolished "Steering" and other tactics used to keep segregation alive. But there are all kinds of prejudices-not only racial, and it's my job to help my clients root through the stereotypes and prejudices to find a place, so they can see a home and neighborhood for what it is and whether it is a good fit for them.

Home buyers can live anywhere they want for any reason they want, because the home will be theirs, and the consequences of a good or bad decision. It would be unfair to my buyers for me, or anyone else, to try and force an opinion on them- because we don't have to live with the consequence of that decision.  I also try and keep outside influence to a minimum- these can be well meaning but over-bearing parents, or other Advisers (Uncle Charlie knows Real Estate). Often these are the most strongly opinionated sources, with little or no regard for the clients real happiness, but maximum regard for the "rightness" of their opinion.

If an Agent is loyal, objective and not competent, would loyalty and objectivity be enough? I think it is pretty clear that to be a good Agent, you have to know something of your business. Does that mean that only people with 5 years of experience are competent? No, it does not, but when working with younger Agents it is good to know they have back up- on their team or through their broker, in case of the unusual, and real estate is all about the unusual. Buying real estate, involves many complex factors and the good Agent is competent across many disciplines, legal, building, negotiating, and managing the process through to completion- at the same time managing the relationships through to a successful closing.   

If an Agent was competent and objective, but not loyal- that would be where you found a great house and he sold it to someone else not giving you a chance at it, or some other skulduggery that served that Agent's interest, not the clients. It s for that reason I don't practice Dual Agency- representing both buyers and sellers in the same transaction. We also do not accept Agent Bonuses- we'll accept them, but they are rebated to the client. There are many openings for dishonest play, that's why having an Agent you can trust is vitally important, and one who keeps your interest foremost in his mind.

Loyalty, Objectivity, and Competence expressed through knowledge ae the essence of being a good Real Estate Agent.  Do you have any thoughts on what makes a good Agent?

Some Related Posts

10 Essential Tips When Buying A New Home

Realty Place- Deception, Agency Abuse, and was it fraud?

Search Charlotte Homes~ by area