Whether you’re dealing with a traditional suburban home, a high-rise apartment, or an agricultural property, area experience allows an agent to navigate around the specific pitfalls of a given property type.

Step 1: Use data analytics to narrow potential agents by category, certifications, and accreditations.

Years of successful deals provide the experienced agent an arsenal of knowledge that no newbie can match. Don’t be tempted to go with a friend or family member who just got their license but barely has their feet wet.

Step 2: Use data analytics to narrow potential agents based on recent closed deals, not on “total transactions” or “volume,” which can be deceiving.

The nuances of the sale process provide myriad opportunities for your agent to negotiate for your interests. Knowing the how and the when of specific negotiating tactics is critical to your success.

Step 3: Survey agents’ closed deals for specific indicators of effective negotiation and to determine specific interview questions.

The other skills listed here are of little value if your agent doesn’t communicate well and in timely fashion. Ensuring you know what’s needed, what happening and when is one thing. But a good agent does the same with other agents.

Step 4: Employ a vetting protocol to assess agents’ communication patterns prior to the interview stage.

There’s more to real estate than just entering data in the MLS. Understanding presentation (photography, staging, etc) and online tools like Zillow are skills – among many others – that are learned through years of concerted professional development.

Step 5: Assess key indicators of marketing ability before taking the time to interview a shortlist of agents.

Ensuring your client is affable and client-centric goes a long way to seeing the finish line! Your agent should be personable, engaging, and empathetic. This helps them fully understand your needs throughout the transaction process. Playing well with other agents goes a long way to benefit you as well!

Step 6: Interview the short list of potential agents to better understand agents’ personality and comportment. Steps 1-5 will provide the basis of interview questions.