Choosing the right real estate agent can be difficult, especially if you are unfamiliar with the industry. Many people tend to hire agents based on their connections rather than their competency, which can lead to a poor buying and selling experience.

With over two decades of experience in selling houses, we understand the common pitfalls that people face when selecting an agent. This article is a guide on how to choose a real estate agent who will not only meet but exceed your expectations. And be sure to check out our seller and buyer’s agent interview questions to help you make an informed decision that will benefit you in the long run.

Choosing a Real Estate Agent

The hiring decision

Typically, the primary motivation for choosing an agent is rooted in guilt. People tend to choose agents who they know, like, and trust because they want to be in relationship. They might feel guilty to make a choice that could impact their existing connections. So, agents themselves are trained to have their sphere of influence and to make sure they’re connected.

The competency gap

Connections can trump competency. The barriers to entry in the real estate industry are very low. In our industry, we only go to school for about two weeks to get our license, and this involves very little coursework. In Tennessee, we only have to complete sixteen hours every two years to ensure we are up to date.

In this sense, our industry offers agents very little educational training, and then agents often don’t get enough on-the-job experience to make up for this competency gap. Nationally, the average agent only sells five and a half houses per year. This means that agents aren’t even selling one house every other month. Imagine being a baseball player in the World Series who’s had only six bats all year. Your odds of striking out are pretty high. 

Even though our industry is well-connected, it’s not an industry that necessarily fosters an environment of increasing competency.

The way forward

Now, when you’re choosing your real estate agent, you have the knowledge. You can ensure that you find an effective way to evaluate not only the agent’s connections but also their competency. 

At Scout, we have some very effective resources to help: our seller and buyer’s agent interview questions. These are the questions you must ask to safeguard against making a hiring decision just based on who you know.

When interviewing agents, consider asking questions like:

1. What differentiates you from other Realtors?
2. How do you price a home?
3. Do you provide a written marketing strategy?
4. Are you a full time Real Estate agent?
5. How many current clients do you have?
6. Do you have a team who supports you?
7. Do you have service and pricing options so I can pick the best plan for me?

It’s great to be able to serve people from the heart. And most agents do a great job of caring for their community. However, agents must also have the competency and capacity to be able to serve their clients on the deepest levels. 

Download our resources, find a way to effectively interview agents, and don’t fall prey to hiring just because you’d feel guilty not using the specific agent or brand.