Have you ever tried sorting through reviews to find a good real estate agent? It can be a tricky endeavour. Many agents know how to use all kinds of buzzwords and marketing tactics to make them seem better than they are.
And, of course, everything looks good on paper, from real estate listings to agent reviews. It’s common knowledge now that the word “cozy” often means tiny and cramped. “Needs TLC” is often code for falling apart. When you’re bombarded with ads from every direction, it can be hard to obtain the accurate information you need to make an informed decision.
Words Can Play Tricks on You
No one ever posts a listing that says, “Small, overpriced house that needs more in renovations than its worth.”
Likewise, you’ll never read an agent review that says “greedy and arrogant and never answers their phone.”
Every business seeks to portray its services in the best light, but no one should resort to deceptive marketing practices.
With a decision as life-changing as buying or selling a house, it’s critical to get it right. The process is already stressful, and the wrong agent can turn it into a nightmare.
There is some good news. Most real estate agents are highly trained, respectable and genuinely care about helping their clients. As in any industry, of course, there are bad players.
How do you weed out the wrong agents when it seems that everyone has all five-star reviews on Google?
Reading reviews can be an excellent place to start. However, you want to take them with a grain of salt. Reviews aren’t always honest, and many people only leave reviews when they are furious.
However, here are some signs you should watch out for.
Quantity Over Quality
If an agent has pages and pages of reviews, beware. Chances are, you’ll find all kinds of vague words like “thoughtful” and “a great person.” Without specifics, agents may have recruited their friends, family and basically everyone they know to give them a review. They may not have even worked together!
When it comes to real estate reviews, more isn’t necessarily better. Unlike other businesses, a typical real estate agent doesn’t have thousands of clients. It doesn’t make sense for them to have thousands of reviews.
On the other hand, if there are only one or two reviews, it pays to be cautious. This could indicate an agent with very little experience or who isn’t active.
Real estate isn’t a part-time gig. If your mechanic has just gotten their real estate license and is now offering to help sell your home, that’s a red flag.
Of course, working with a new agent isn’t necessarily a bad thing. They are often passionate about the industry and eager to go above and beyond for their clients. What matters is their professionalism and commitment to helping you through your transaction.
The next phase of your life isn’t about “downsizing” so much as “rightsizing” so you can make the most of life. Read our Complete Guide to Right-Sizing here.
No Negative or Neutral Reviews
No one is perfect, and no one can please everyone every single time. If you discover an agent with zero negative reviews, alarm bells should go off. There is also a rumour of the dreaded Google Slap, where the search engines penalize a company that doesn’t get 100% perfect reviews.
This penalty, real or not, has some businesses scrambling to get five-star reviews by any means possible.
Look For a Mix
A professional agent will have mostly good reviews, some neutral, and even a few bad ones.
A three or four-star review may mean an agent did an excellent job for a client. But some people never give five stars because there is always room for improvement.
Agents are human, and things don’t always go according to plan despite their best efforts. When that happens, the occasional bad review is inevitable.
What to watch out for is how they respond to their reviews.
Do they ignore them and hope they will go away? Or do they answer promptly, making every effort to make things right?
How an agent responds to reviews and feedback can you more about their ethics and practice than the reviews themselves.
Are you thinking about “rightsizing” your home? Here’s how one of our own agents went from 3500 to 1000 square feet.
Once you have researched possible agents, it’s time to take the next step. Before you commit to working with anyone, book an interview where you can ask questions and see how comfortable the agent makes you feel.
You need someone professional and knowledgeable, but that isn’t enough. You also want someone who is easy to work with who takes your questions and concerns to heart.
Want a unique new way to list your home in the best light the right way? Check out these Five Seller Insights From The Magic of Listing.
