If you plan on buying or selling a home, your first step will likely be looking for a REALTOR.

According to the National Association of REALTORS®, 89% of sellers in 2020 sold their homes using a real estate agent or broker. 88% of buyers purchased their homes with a real estate expert. While working with an industry professional is essential for buyers and sellers interested in facilitating a streamlined and successful purchase or sale, the very best real estate professionals are REALTORS.

Five Essentials to Consider When Looking For a REALTOR

REALTORS are real estate agents and brokers that are members of the National Association of REALTORS®, America’s largest trade association with activity dating back 112 years.

In the United States, 1.4 million real estate agents are REALTORS with the NAR, all of whom subscribe to the association’s strict code of ethics. The quality standards and legacy of NAR ensure that certified REALTORS are able to provide the highest level of service to buyer and seller clients.

When you are looking for a REALTOR, these are five qualities to keep in mind to connect you with your best agent.

#1. Location-Specific Services

Looking for a REALTOR should always begin with your local area. With over one million practicing REALTORS all around the country, buyers and sellers should focus on their target area. Location has a substantial impact on the way that a transaction unfolds, as well as the strategies that facilitate the best outcomes. Choosing a REALTOR that specializes in your specific community will ensure that your professional is able to guide you according to your market.

Besides actionable tips based on recent market activity, a REALTOR who works in your community likely has industry connections that may be valuable during your deal. For example, your agent may be able to gain access to exclusive listings or pair one of their buyers with your listing opportunity.

#2. Listing-Specific Expertise

Many real estate agents pursue continuing education opportunities to gain additional designations and certifications in specific types of real estate transactions. Over 200,000 REALTORS hold subject matter expertise designations and certifications. For example, some REALTORS are also Senior Real Estate Specialists® (SRES®) or Seller Representative Specialists (SRS).

Looking for a REALTOR that can accommodate any special needs that relate to either your position as a buyer or seller or the property’s category is best done by pursuing certifications and designations. Talk to potential REALTORS about the continuing education they have pursued and consider how that relates to your transaction.

#3. Strong Online Presence

Choosing a REALTOR with a strong online presence not only demonstrates their modernity in the industry, but it may also provide buyers and sellers with access to additional resources.

A REALTOR that has established an online presence for their brands and services identifies them as being up to speed with the digital trends shaping real estate today. Buyers and sellers can infer that a REALTOR that’s online is more likely to embrace the new technologies that can enhance their services and the client experience.

An online presence also showcases the agent’s capacity to share information and resources, such as local market reports or specialty tips for buyers and sellers. The REALTOR may publish helpful blogs and share their client reviews, as well as other items that provide clients with more insight to apply to their own transactions.

#4. Communication Best Practices

Since a real estate transaction takes time to conduct, buyers and sellers will want to be looking for a REALTOR with a compatible communication style to their own. Depending on your own preferences, clients may be seeking a real estate agent who emails rather than texts, or one who calls at the first sign of any new update. Talk to the REALTOR about their communication methods at the interview to determine if their workflow is a good fit for your lifestyle and pace.

#5. Ample Service Bandwidth

As the best in the business, REALTORS are in high demand. When looking for a REALTOR, buyers and sellers should always inquire about their availability.

When interviewing a potential REALTOR, ask them how many other clients they will be servicing while they are working with you and talk to them about their bandwidth. It may be better to choose a REALTOR that is not juggling too many clients and can provide your transaction with more dedicated services as required by your unique circumstances.

If you’re ready to start looking for your REALTOR, click here.