The first step towards finding your dream home or selling for the best price? Hiring the agent who can help you get there. But what does that mean, exactly? The truth is, in a market like DC — one overflowing with agents of varying skill sets who offer different levels of expertise — tracking down the right one isn’t always quite as easy as it looks. Don’t worry, though, we’re here to help. Whether you’re planning to buy, sell, or simply keep your options open this season, keep reading to learn the top traits you should look for in an agent today.

Market Knowledge

Really, it all boils down to common sense. When you’re selling a home, you want to make sure you get a fair price. And when you’re buying property, you want to avoid overpaying. That’s why it’s crucial to find a DC real estate agent who knows the market well and can give you insight into what you should be paying or listing your home for.

On the same note, if you’re looking to buy an investment property, you’ll need an agent with experience in that world. The agent you choose should be able to tell you what rents go for in the area if you’re looking to become a landlord. And if you’re contemplating a fix-and-flip situation, your agent should be able to give you a solid sense of what to pay for a house that needs some extra TLC.

Reliable References

When finding the perfect agent, you don’t have to do all the heavy lifting; instead, why not let past clients do the talking? With that in mind, one of the best ways to ensure that you choose a good real estate agent is to solicit recommendations from people you know who have bought or sold in the area. Ask friends and neighbors what their experiences with their agents were like. If you’re looking in a brand-new area where you know no one personally, make sure any agent you’re considering can supply a long list of satisfied clients, along with phone numbers so you can contact them and talk things through.

We love sharing positive client experiences of people who have put their trust in our team. Click here to see our client testimonials.

The Right Designation

Different DC real estate agents specialize in different transactions. A listing agent, for example, can help you sell a home, while a buyer’s agent is perhaps the better option if you’re looking to purchase property. This especially holds true if you’re not selling at all but looking to buy an income property as an investment. The Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (REBAC) can give agents the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) designation, so you may want to look for it in a “purchase only” situation.

➤ Our team of DC real estate agents work with many different transactions:

• Buying a DC Investment Property
• Buying a Historic Home in DC
• Everything You Need to Know About Buying & Selling A Luxury Home in DC

Communication Style

When choosing your agent, pay attention to how they communicate on the phone, in person, and via email. Remember: This person is responsible for negotiating on your behalf. Do you like how they respond to your questions? How will they handle conflict? Will they be aggressive enough? Are they making the process clear? If you have a hard time communicating with your agent to begin with, it’s only going to get harder as the process goes on.

Responsiveness

If you think about it, there’s an undeniable link between the time it takes for an agent to get back to you and their overall level of reliability. If an agent doesn’t miss emails or calls, this is an indication that they are on the ball and detail-oriented. Conversely, agents that are inattentive tend to be equally sloppy in details of the transaction.

➤ To learn more about buying and selling in DC check out:

• A Day in the Life of a Compass DC Agent
• What Millennial Buyers Want
• 4 Things to Know About Staging
• How to Price Your Home to Sell

Honesty

In the world of real estate, it’s all about honesty. The right agent will lead with transparency, and be aligned with your budget, neighborhood, and home value requirements. You should always trust your agent to act in your best interest and help you make the right choice when your money — and future — is on the line. Exclusively trust agents that understand what you are looking for and why it is important to you. Without honesty, the process may be delayed, or halted altogether.

Ready to make moves? Get in touch today to meet our team of seasoned DC real estate professionals and find the right one for you!