Most real estate agents do not start out as pros. In fact, many of them make a lot of mistakes when they first start out in the business. It might seem like being a real estate agent is a piece of cake at first, but it is a lot of work and can be very difficult at times. However, if you are someone who is trying to purchase property, you might not be comfortable working with a real estate agent who doesn’t have much experience. Here are four signs your real estate agent is a rookie.
He Doesn’t Spend Money On Marketing
If you found your real estate agent through a friend or family member and have not seen his services advertised in newspapers or online ads, he’s a rookie. A rookie real estate agent might not have spent much money on marketing his services. He recently had to shell out hundreds of dollars for a license and just does not even want to think about spending more money. A rookie real estate agent does not realize yet how important it is to get his name out there through marketing and advertising. If he just relies on word of mouth, people are not going to know who he is very long.
He Doesn’t Use a Closing Team
If your real estate agent is not very experienced, he most likely will not use the help of a closing team to finish the sale. He will not have an insurance agent, lender, appraiser, listing agent and title officer there with him to close the sale. Having all of these business people around a real estate agent will make him appear more legit and serious about his business.
He Has Shown Up Late
Some rookie real estate agents might not realize yet how important it is to show up to all of your appointments on time. They think that potential buyers have all the time in the world to wait on them. It is very crucial, however, to show up to an appointment on time, especially if the real estate agent is planning on showing a house. The client might get angry that his real estate agent did not bother to make it on time and just leave.
He Doesn’t Dress the Part
Very young real estate agents who are just getting into the business may not realize how important it is to dress the part of a real estate agent. They might show up to appointments in tank tops, shorts and tennis shoes and not think anything of it. Dressing so casually makes a real estate agent seem like he is not taking his job very seriously.
These are just four of the signs of a rookie real estate agent. I am not saying that a rookie real estate agent can’t ever become experienced, but you might not want to deal with one when you are trying to purchase property for yourself.
Unfortunately in the GTA, with the 38,000 + registered agents, there are also a lot of part time agents who have the same potential issues to consider.
As we have always suggested, seek out the services of a full time, professional agent. These agents should also have a website with TESTIMONIALS to assist you in making the best choice for your investment advice.
I agree with all of the above! If my realtor showed up late for anything I would consider that to be unprofessional. Tardiness (without a valid excuse) is offensive and has no place in the professional realm.
Showing up late is the most common sign, but I wouldn’t make a full judgement based on that. Punctuality is professional and vital, but we are humans and traffic jams can always cause delays.
For me, the most clear unprofessional sign is not having the documents ready and in order to set the sale.
You have to dress the part. A lot of what you think about the person is based on your first impression, the first 30 seconds you meet them. Dressing like you are a realtor should be number one on this list. If you don’t look like you should be in the business then how can anyone trust you with their homes?
A home purchase is make or break for a lot of people so having a true professional is key.
So how would you go about asking a potential or newbie agent for references? Is this something they should offer you? Or do you have to ask?
I’m just wondering what the protocol looks like for getting this kind of info. Because you really don’t want to hire someone so that you can see the ‘four signs’ in action.
You are right …. just ask!
A professional, full time agent will have company credentials, testimonials and a track record that you can consider in your decision.
My real estate agent has a big influence on my decision on buying or not buying a property. Thus, I always make it a point to check the credentials and track record of the real estate agent I intend to transact with. Well, I am spending my hard-earned money for his services. I have the right to demand the best service. True, tardiness is unacceptable. I would not want to deal with someone who is unprofessional.
So long as I’m not going to offend anyone by asking!
I guess that would be another sign of a potential rookie. Someone who gets nervous or offended when you ask them for references!
LOL that would be a good indication BUT in the end the “deal” pays the commission to the agents!
Why would you as a Buyer or Seller not want that professional, full time agent with experience to represent “”your”" best interests at the negotiating table!!??!!
I knew our real estate agent was a rookie when we were buying our first home, when we had to meet him at his parent’s house because he needed to use his moms car to show us places. The next time WE even drove him around. I kept waiting for his mom to come running out with a bag lunch. Our mortgage broker asked us NOT to give him her card because dealing with him was more hassle than it was worth. Nice enough guy, but we didn’t look for him when we were ready to purchase our second home.
WOW!!
We actually had an agent tell us, when we called to see one of his listings, that the house in question was “a real dump”. I’ll never forget that, and although I’ve long forgotten the agent’s name, I wonder if he’s still in the business!
Too funny, he may not be in the business “if” his clients found out that he was telling prospects that!!
Agree with all of them and loved that you went kinda in-depth with each one. He show’s up late will show that he might not care about you. If he’s late then he/she better have a very good reason or let me know before hand. The rest you hit right on the spot.
I once went to an open house and the agent had his kids with him.
and wait for it, they were playing with the dog!
I guess he was just showing us that the house is family friendly
When we went shopping for an agent, we found someone who was marketing themselves all over. He was young, but hungry.
We have purchased 3 homes over the past 20 years, and we’ve used the same real estate agent every time. Great guy. He was a brand new agent when we first met him, and it showed — but he was earnest, and we gave him a chance. Working with him has been one of the best things we’ve ever done. To be honest, he has exhibited 2 of the 4 signs at least once during each of our dealings…lol. It hasn’t kept us from working with him, or recommending his services to others.
Yes! When an agent is too nervous or is not confident, he is definitely a rookie!
Of all the tips I think having a closing team is the most important. It helps a buyer feel that he will be protected and that the agent knows all his needs.
Being late for any kind of work is really unprofessional, dressing casually wouldn’t be a deal breaker for me, i like to consider peoples personalities and manners not how they dress.
You know, I agree that rookies are probably more prone to having the aforementioned qualities, but I have worked with a few well seasoned professionals who were always late, didn’t dress the part, and didn’t advertise my property.
LOL we don’t want to paint everyone with the same brush obviously!
However as i have stated before …. there are 38,000 real estate agents registered in the GTA. 11,000 of those agents do one or zero sales a year. 17,000 of those agents do three or less sales a year …. do the math!
If you are searching out your largest investment, especially in a volatile market, it would be prudent to consider a full time, professional agent to represent your best interests …. just saying!
To ElizaFrench, I think we also need to emphasize that agents who are professionals or who are already veterans in the field no longer exhibit these qualities. Well, professionalism is not synonymous to years of experience.
Wow, this is great information to know! It appears that these characteristics relate not only to real estate but to most businesses. Yes. I usually trust realtors that I have seen in the Yellow pages or newspaper listings. Thanks for the tips!
I am very glad I read about this because my husband and I are moving again in the next year or two. Our last agent certainly dressed the part, but that’s where it ended. Outside of looking nice and having a nice office, he didn’t seem to know much (or if he did, he didn’t share that knowledge with us). We should have seen the signs, I suppose.
I also discussed this point in my POST Interviewing Agents …. suggest always checking out an agent’s TESTIMONIALS and establish how much business your agent has done in the GTA …. market savy??
These four things are absolutely correct, I would never want to have an estate agent who would show up late without a valid reason.
Rookie’s are not exactly a bad thing. But I suppose the greatest concerns one would have would related to a matter of professionalism. I believe that showing up on time and being professional is a matter of choice rather than experience
Agents do have to grow, after they get their licenses. But most people want someone who is a professional and that takes time.
A seller’s or a buyer’s first purchased home is a big asset and they want the process to be go as smooth and as professional as possible.
If it’s a new agent, you’ll know he or she is serious about you when they bring in a co-agent. This means that the new agent is willing to split a percentage of his/her commission to the more experienced agent helping out. It’s a great learning process for both you and the agent.