Finding the right Lincoln Park Real Estate Agent can make or break your home-buying experience, but not all real estate agents are created equal, and some will do a better job than others at helping you find a home that meets your needs. If you are buying a home, you will want someone who can guide you through the mortgage process and help you find a home that meets all your needs. When selling, an expert Real Estate Agent can price your home to sell and ensure it gets maximum exposure among the right buyers.
A Real Estate Agent who is experienced, tech-savvy, professional, and trustworthy will help make your buying or selling experience as smooth as possible. By being mindful of the following traits and asking the right questions, you can ensure you find a real estate agent who will work for your best interest.
#1. Knowledge of the Local Real Estate Market
A great Real Estate Agent is immersed in the local market and current housing trends. Their knowledge helps them to identify potential buyers and sellers, determine the best real estate investments, and understand how Lincoln Park real estate works. Working with an agent who understands your neighborhood can be especially helpful if you are new to the area.
They will know which neighborhoods are trending upwards and where prices may drop in the near future, information that could save or make you money. The right Real Estate Agent also needs to have a thorough understanding of the real estate transaction processes and legal terminology.
Some important questions to ask when determining how well a potential agent understands the market include:
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What are your thoughts on current market conditions, and where do you see prices going in the future?
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How long have you been working in Lincoln Park real estate?
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What is your experience with (type of property) transactions?
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Can you provide any recent examples of properties that sold quickly or above the list price?
An agent who can answer these questions quickly and accurately is likely to have the knowledge and insights you need.
#2. Strong Negotiation Skills
Being a real estate agent requires strong negotiation skills. A good Real Estate Agent must be able to negotiate the prices, terms, and conditions while still developing a positive relationship with all the parties involved. In addition, a good Real Estate Agent should have the ability to close deals efficiently.
Alongside all these qualities, a great real estate agent is a natural problem solver. When negotiations hit a wall, they are at their best and finding solutions that will let everyone walk away from the deal feeling like they received what they wanted.
When interviewing an agent to determine how they handle negotiations, ask them questions such as the following:
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How do you approach negotiations?
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What was the most difficult negotiation you’ve handled, and how did you overcome the challenge?
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What negotiating tactics do you find to be the most effective?
#3. Professionalism and Integrity
While working with clients, a Real Estate Agent must always act with honesty and respect, ensuring that the client gets the best possible value for his or her money, but also never doing anything that would alienate other agents or their clients. Additionally, good Real Estate Agents should constantly update their knowledge through professional development sessions and continuing education programs.
To get a good measure of a Real Estate Agent's professionalism and integrity, ask for references from past clients and agents they have worked with. You can also ask about how they engage with continuing education and whether they have any certifications or professional designations.
#4. Strong Communication Skills
A real estate agent must be an excellent communicator to be successful. They need to be able to communicate effectively with their clients, other agents, and industry professionals such as loan officers, home inspectors, and appraisers. A great Real Estate Agent is an expert networker, and their reputation as a strong communicator serves as an asset to their clients who can access a wide array of professionals through their agent.
Some questions you may want to ask a potential agent about their communication skills include:
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How do you prefer to communicate with your clients?
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What is your experience in networking and building referral relationships?
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What are some techniques you use to ensure that you understand the needs of your clients?
#5. Proven Experience and Results
Although there are many real estate agents out there, only a few have the experience, knowledge, and expertise that comes from years of work in the industry. When you are looking for a real estate agent, it is important to find someone who has a proven track record of success. You should ask them about their previous experiences working with buyers and sellers, as well as what type of results they have been able to achieve for their clients. Furthermore, you should also inquire about any awards or recognition they have received from industry organizations or publications. A great real estate agent will be able to demonstrate a solid history of successfully helping clients buy and sell homes.
When interviewing a potential real estate agent, ask them questions about their experience, such as:
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What types of properties do you specialize in?
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What are some recent deals you have closed?
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What is your average sale price to list price ratio?
#6. Up to Date on Technology
Just like every other industry, buying and selling real estate has been forever altered by the ongoing digital transition. To be effective for their clients, a skilled real estate agent has to stay on top of the latest technology and trends. This includes using social media marketing, search engine optimization, analytics, and other digital marketing that help to target and reach potential buyers or sellers. A real estate agent should also have access to the latest technology to streamline the buying and selling process. Virtual tours are another great technological advancement that helps buyers visualize a home and get a comprehensive understanding of its features and amenities without even having to set foot on the property.
To assess how a potential real estate agent approaches technology, ask questions such as:
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Do you have a strong online presence?
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What are the most significant technological trends currently affecting buying/selling Lincoln Park real estate?
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How do you stay up-to-date on new technology and trends?
#7. Accessibility and Time Management
A Real Estate Agent must be accessible and capable of managing their time effectively to be successful in the industry, but some are more adept at this than others. A great Real Estate Agent can handle an incredibly busy schedule and make multiple clients feel that they are getting the attention they deserve. In addition, a real estate agent should be responsive to phone calls, texts, and emails promptly.
Ask your potential Real Estate Agent questions such as:
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What is your average response time to phone calls/texts/emails?
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How do you typically communicate with clients?
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How do you ensure that your client's needs are met when handling multiple clients?
Find Your Lincoln Park Home With the Right Real Estate Agent
There are plenty of real estate agents who will be able to provide the minimum service needed to get you through buying or selling a home. When it comes to finding a Lincoln Park real estate agent, though, you need a top-notch agent such as Daniela Pagani who can provide the outstanding service and insights you deserve. Reach out to Daniela when you’re ready to get started