Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial and emotional decisions most people will ever make. There are a lot of moving parts involved, far more than most homeowners realize.

Many people think all real estate agents are essentially the same, or that the job is simply putting a sign in the yard or unlocking doors for showings. The truth is, the agent you choose can directly impact your price, your timeline, your stress level, and sometimes whether the deal even
makes it to the closing table.

What most people don’t see is everything that happens behind the scenes. In many cases, clients aren’t aware of the issues that come up because it’s our job as your Realtor to handle them quietly and efficiently. We’re there to anticipate problems, negotiate on your behalf, keep
everyone on track, and make sure deadlines are met and everyone does what they’re supposed to do. The sign of a good Realtor isn’t that they don’t do anything, it’s that they do so much behind the scenes that their client isn’t even aware of it, all to ensure a successful and smooth closing.

Most buyers begin their home search online, scrolling through homes on Zillow, Realtor.com, and other popular websites. When they’re ready to take the next step, they reach out to a Realtor, sometimes by clicking “Contact Agent” on a listing, other times through a referral from a friend
or family member. For many buyers, that decision happens quickly, without much thought given to how critical the choice of agent truly is.

Sellers, on the other hand, often focus on preparing their home for the market. They organize, declutter, make repairs, and work hard to present their home in the best possible light.

While all of that is important, one key decision is often overlooked: choosing the right Realtor to represent them.

The agent you select plays a major role in how smoothly the process goes, and how successful the sale ultimately is.

As a Realtor for over 17 years, I am still shocked at some of the Realtors I encounter, their lack of knowledge, professionalism, and agents putting their own interests ahead of their clients. In just the past couple of months, I’ve been involved in several transactions that nearly fell apart, and not because of the buyer or seller but because of their Realtor.

That’s why I wanted to write this article, to make sure buyers and sellers understand how important it is to work with the right agent, so you don’t end up with someone who could jeopardize your transaction.

In one transaction, I represented the buyer, and the seller’s agent was extremely difficult to communicate with, often going for days without acknowledging emails or text messages. What should have been a straightforward process quickly became unnecessarily complicated and
unpleasant for everyone involved.
Routine issues weren’t addressed in a timely manner, deadlines were put at risk, and confusion began to build between all parties. Eventually, their broker had to step in just to make sure the necessary steps were completed so the transaction could move forward. The deal did close, but
not without added stress, delays, and risk that could have been completely avoided.

In another transaction, I represented the seller, and the buyer’s agent was very inexperienced. Because of that, they did not advise their client properly, particularly when it came to understanding the inspection period, what it meant, and how to move forward with repair requests. As a result, demands became unreasonable and unacceptable, timeframes had to be
extended, and the transaction nearly fell apart during the inspection contingency.

In both of these cases, it wasn’t the buyer or the seller who created the problems, it was their  agent. The wrong agent nearly cost them their deal.

Choosing the right real estate agent isn’t just important, it’s critical.

When it comes time to buy or sell a home, take a little extra time choosing the person who will guide you through the process. Ask questions, look at experience, and pay attention to communication and professionalism. A good Realtor doesn’t just help you buy or sell a home, they protect your interests, reduce your stress, and help ensure the process goes as smoothly as
possible. In a transaction where so much is at stake, having the right agent by your side can truly make all the difference.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or would like more information about buying or selling a home.