Finding a real estate agent in Los Angeles isn’t hard. But finding a good one is. If you can, you ask friends for referrals. If you’re not open to asking, you get tempted by the one-click ad options that just shoot you to a random realtor thanks to a computer algorithm. You may even find yourself typing “real estate agent near me” in the search bar, hoping to keep it local but also have options. But even the “realtors near me” search (or the higher level “real estate brokers near me” search) leaves you with an important decision to make: who do you choose, and why? A licensed real estate broker is a dime a dozen, and while that title is certainly earned (not all realtor agents are brokers, but all brokers are realtor agents), a licensed broker is still one of many in the LA area. So the challenge isn’t how to find a realtor or real estate brokerage firms. The real challenge is understanding how to pick one. So here are the top 3 criteria we think you need to find the best real estate agent for you:
Vibe Check
Referrals are great, but how can you be sure the experience your friend or loved one had with a realtor was ideal? I can’t tell you how many times we’ve had an acquaintance who used their mom’s real estate agent call us when they’re in escrow or a multiple counter situation with questions. Whether they were intimidated or maybe didn’t trust the estate agent, I can’t say. But I can say how silly it is to work with an agent you don’t feel 100% comfortable asking questions. It is your realtor agents’ job to keep you informed throughout each step of the process. Have a weird, HGTV-inspired question? Go for it! We always prioritize empowering our clients with knowledge, which means no question you have is a dumb question. If you meet with a referred real estate agent that doesn’t pass the vibe check, keep looking!
Accessibility
You want a real estate agent who will answer your calls, texts, and emails. You want a real estate broker who is busy but not overwhelmed. This is a tough balance. Look at the organization and the company composition. When looking at the agency, real estate is obviously what the company does, but how can you know how they work with clients? Reviews help. Referral intel can help. But going with a big company alone isn’t necessarily the most prudent move. The “top realtors near me” search can yield a solid list highlighting the busy real estate agent with an excellent marketing team, but will this person in a city of over 10 million people actually be working with you directly? Or are you hiring their name and are instead placed with a protégé who is overwhelmed by volume? While some people prefer working with a household name (and the name alone), many would rather work directly with the real estate agent advertised. Think of it as choosing between burger places: some would like to work with McDonald’s and know exactly what they’re getting with no chance of unique customization (or meeting Mr. McDonald); but others would prefer the local burger place whose owner is onsite regularly and happy to chat with customers. Consider going local and accessibility in the vibe check. You don’t want to hire the realtor that only answers sales calls (and passes you on to someone else).
Knowledge
This one is easy. Of course you want a real estate team that is knowledgeable. While every real estate agent (just like every real estate broker) passed real estate classes and exams to become a licensed real estate agent and licensed broker, not all real estate agents are as knowledgeable as others. Would you want a swimming coach that has never been in a pool before? Oftentimes, a real estate agent understands a home sale or purchase through the lens of a salesmen only, but if they haven’t experienced buying or selling a home themselves, they may not understand the nuances of the buyer and seller experience intimately enough to deliver. How about learning to drive from someone who has only played racecar video games? Another common gap in real estate agent knowledge is an understanding of the paperwork—how to write and read an offer properly. Larger corporate real estate brokers oftentimes employ a “transaction coordinator” who “handles the paperwork” on a home sale or purchase. We’re very wary of this type of realtor. On several occasions, we’ve worked with a real estate agent who admits they aren’t “that close to the file” or are familiar with key terms of their client’s offer. This means some real estate agents talk the talk, but aren’t walking the walk. Choose an agent who can truly empathize with your position and is a hand-on professional who will guide you through each step of the home buying or home selling process with knowledge and confidence.
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