Buying or selling a home is a big deal, and how well you get along with your real estate agent is a pretty important part of the experience. So this Valentine's Day, we thought we'd share a little relationship advice to help you find the love as you find (or sell) your GTA property.
1. Communication is everything. Be clear and honest. Talk, connect, ask lots of questions. Don’t make them guess what’s in your head. The more you tell them about what you want (and what you don’t want), the easier it will be to hit those real estate goals.
2. Trust them. This is a big one. You’re hiring an agent because of their real estate expertise and knowledge of the market. So accept their guidance on pricing your home or on what you should reasonably offer for that place you like. And a good agent will earn your trust by being available, patient, answering your questions – and always making you feel like they have your back.
3. Be open to compromise. If you go into any relationship with a “my way or the highway” attitude, nobody wins. Of course, your needs are important. But being too rigid could mean missing out on a great place outside your chosen area, and refusing to consider, say, a condo instead of a house could mean not finding something you can afford. For sellers, not being willing to compromise (at least a little bit) on price or conditions could mean a stale listing – and no sale.
4. Be respectful of each others’ time. Life is busy. Show up when you say you will, and if you need to cancel, give as much notice as you can. Sitting somewhere waiting for a no-show won’t make anyone happy.
5. Say thank you. Agents do a lot – going to dozens of showings, taking care of all the marketing, negotiating to get you the best possible price. So share your gratitude for their hard work with a heartfelt thanks, write a glowing testimonial they can share, or even pick up a little something that says “you’re awesome.” Everyone likes to feel appreciated.
6. Show the love. If you and your agent aren’t excited about working together, that’s a red flag. Show them you’re enthused about the possibilities. And look for an agent who jumps at the chance to work with you – that’s way better than one who makes you feel like you’re not their #1.
7. Know when it’s time to call it quits. If your agent doesn’t have time for you, has a personality that doesn’t mesh with yours, or just isn’t showing you the love, it may be time for the “it’s not you, it’s me” speech. But be upfront about it – nobody likes being ghosted. And if you’ve signed a Buyer Representative Agreement or a Listing Agreement with them, you’ll need to have them cancel it before you can move on.
Ready to build a meaningful relationship with a great buyer agent?
Sign up to condos.ca or property.ca to meet your ideal match. And if you’re looking for the perfect selling partner, get in touch and we’ll introduce you to someone great.