10 Things to Look for in Your Northern Virginia Realtor

If you’re looking to hire a great Realtor to help you sell your Northern Virginia home, there are 10 real things you need look for in your Northern Virginia Realtor search. Of course I like to think I’m the best Northern Virginia Real Estate Agent for you–and for many people I am! But I also realize that hiring a Realtor is very much a partnership built on compatibility and that everyone has different needs. For example, I’m a Navy Commander’s daughter and I tend to be very straightforward. I’m not afraid to tell people what they need to hear–but maybe not everyone wants that! Thus, I offer 10 real things to look for in your Northern Virginia Realtor search.

10 Reasons You Need An Agent

1. Local expert knowledge! If the agent you’re talking to covers 3-4 states, they may not be “local” experts. Don’t be afraid to ask your Realtor about their local knowledge and experience. Northern Virginia is a unique market and you’re going to want an agent that knows how to sell in this complex climate.

2. How good are their negotiation skills? Ask for a story or an example that demonstrates how they successfully negotiated a tough situation in the past. You need an agent who is committed to negotiating on your behalf to help meet your specific goals and objectives.

3. What kind of vibe is your realtor giving off? Do they seem passionate and energetic about selling your home? If the conversations about your property are falling flat, this may be a red flag. Selling a home is a major transaction and your Realtor needs to have total commitment to providing excellent service throughout the real estate transaction, which includes being passionate about selling your home quickly!

4. Check their integrity temperature. Getting a sense about an agent’s level of integrity can be tricky but you can get a quick pulse by asking some questions about their background and former transactions. You can also find out if they work with any local charities. Above all, pay attention to whether or not they do what they say they’re going to do.

5. Does the agent seem like a “real” person? Do they exhibit some degree of emotional intelligence? Are your conversations humanistic and relatable to your situation? If it seems like the agent is just telling you what you want to hear, then they probably are, and that really doesn’t benefit you. Selling your home is a major financial transaction and you need a Realtor who is going to be real with you.

6. Does the agent have a solid digital presence? If you agent has a lackluster online presence then that could be a signal of their approach to listings. If they don’t care that much about their own online presence, then they may not care that much about yours either. Don’t get me wrong, Realtors spend most of their time working for their clients, but if you can’t find them anywhere online that’s not a good sign.

7. What’s the marketing plan? Be sure to ask questions about how they will market your home listing. Ask questions about how they will make sure that your home gets as much exposure as possible. Equally as important, DO NOT hire an agent that scrimps on listing photography—your property photos need to be professional done! Period.

8. You know the old saying, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Does your agent know people? Do they have a good network? Can they recommend quality lenders and great contractors? You may not need these things but oftentimes referrals can go a long way if you do!

9. How well does the agent communicate? Do they respond to you in a timely manner? Are they polite and respectful? These things may seem obvious but pay attention. Relationships depend on communication and you need a Realtor who will keep you informed.

10. Last but not least, find out what kind of clientele your agent typically works with? Are they military-friendly? Is their portfolio of clients diverse? Don’t be afraid to ask about their last few transactions to get a sense of who they typically work with.