5 Signs of an Incompetent Real Estate Agent in Mississauga

If you’re unhappy with your real estate agent, that doesn’t necessarily mean your agent is acting maliciously. Whether you’re in the process of buying or selling your house, sometimes your chosen real estate agent just isn’t up to the task. A real estate agent that isn’t getting the job done may not be the right fit personality-wise, could be prioritizing other clients, or may not have access to the resources you need to stand out in a competitive housing market.

Watch out for these signs of an incompetent real estate agent, so you can protect your best interests during your upcoming real estate transaction. 

The signs of an incompetent estate agent:

No real estate agent is perfect, and chances are even the best agents will occasionally rub you the wrong way, but in general, you’ll want to avoid as many of these red flags as possible. 

Lack of Communication:

In the fast-moving world of real estate, quick and clear communication is key. A delayed response can sometimes mean the difference between landing or losing a deal. However, it’s important to also understand that real estate agents often work long inconsistent hours.

A tell-tale sign that you have a bad real estate agent is when you reach out to your agent and don’t hear back from them for 24 to 48 hours. It’s a lack of communication if your messages get no response at all. The same goes for the agent who does get back to you but has a communication style that doesn’t gel well with yours. If you feel like they’re rushed, irritated, or not forthcoming during your conversations it’s likely not a good fit. Another thing to watch for is if the agent tends to sugar-coat situations and only tells you what they think you want to hear. Consider, too, whether the agent uses your preferred communication methods. 

They don’t have enough real estate experience:

Sure, it may sound great that your aunt just got her real estate license or that your best friend’s sister wants your business after being licensed for only a year, but is that really what’s best for you and your home sale? We’ve come across many newbies listing agents who haven’t sold more than a couple of properties in their short time as an agent. Or even worse, they’ve been in the business for years but have only done a few deals. A newbie/inexperienced agent won’t have an established database yet and you’ll miss out on taking advantage of their solid relationships. They’re also much more likely to miss gaping issues in offers and lack negotiation experience. This could cost you either losing or paying more than what is required on the deal. Pair that with the fact they tend to be more desperate for commission, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. Finally, the inexperienced agent won’t be able to anticipate common issues encountered during a home sale, which means you can enjoy the stress of experiencing their oversights together! The result? More stress for you, many potential headaches that could be costly and crucial details being overlooked.

Poor Listening Skills:

Real estate agents need strong listening skills. If a real estate agent is unable to identify what a buyer or seller is expecting, they will fail in the business. Questions that you should expect to be asked if you’ve hired a top real estate agent include;

·         What is your time frame to buy/sell a home?

·         What are you looking for in a home?

·         What do you expect from me?

·         What is your preferred method of communication?

·         What improvements or upgrades have you made to your home?

·         Have you been pre-approved for buying a home?

If you haven’t heard any of these questions, you likely have an inexperienced real estate agent. If the conversations with your real estate agent don’t seem to go anywhere or feel like a one-way conversation, the agent probably lacks listening skills.

Lack of Professionalism:

Another sign of a bad real estate agent is that they are unprofessional. One of the biggest signs that an agent is unprofessional is whether they value your time. Does your real estate agent always show up late for appointments? Do they not show up at all? If the answer is yes to either of these questions, you have a bad real estate agent. Another way to gauge whether your real estate agent is unprofessional is by their appearance. If your real estate agent shows up to appointments and looks like they haven’t groomed themselves in a week, you have an unprofessional real estate agent.

Signs of an Inexperienced Real Estate Agent: “Too Pushy”

A real estate agent’s role is to guide you through the process of buying or selling. If you ever feel that your agent is trying to strong-arm you to make a decision because of their potential commission instead of your goals and needs, that’s a huge red flag.

You need to consider firing your agent if they are pressuring you to take a low-ball offer. Or, to purchase a home you don’t like or think you can’t afford. If you feel like you’re being pushed to make decisions that you aren’t comfortable with, it’s a sign you have a bad real estate agent.

How to Avoid Dealing with Bad Agents:

The best way to deal with a bad real estate agent is to avoid them in the first place. This can be done by conducting extensive research about the person you plan to hire.

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other social media websites are good resources for gathering information about local real estate professionals.

Look out for feedback from people who have worked with them before, find out if they charge reasonable prices, their availability during emergencies or after office hours, etc.

Once you have established that your potential realtor is a good fit for your needs, then you can proceed with signing the contract.

Ask for references from people who they have helped in the past to determine if they are truly capable of helping clients find their dream homes.

Now you know what to look for to avoid an incompetent or inexperienced agent, but where do you find a good agent? The easiest and safest course here is to work with a trusted, reputable agency. If you want to avoid bad agents and find a good real estate agent in Mississauga, then contact us today at 647 628 3434. or email us at [email protected]