Signs of a Bad Real Estate Agent

• No communication – This is a huge red flag! When communication is sketchy and inconsistent, it’s time to move on. If follow-up texts, emails, or phone calls are delayed by hours or days, there’s a chance that your deals may fall through as well. An agent who doesn’t get back to you or has a communication style that doesn’t align with yours, it’s not a good fit. You may notice that your real estate agent is rushed, irritated, or not forthcoming with information. Other communication issues may include sugar coating uncomfortable news, or non-adherence to your preferred method of communication. All of these signs signal a lack of chemistry. 
• Side gig – Let’s be honest. A new real estate agent has to start somewhere, and many begin while holding another job or other work responsibilities. When you’re working with a real estate agent who is spread too thin, you may be disappointed with their performance. It’s best not to partner with a real estate agent that is not fully committed to the profession. Part-time real estate agents lack the experience, expertise, and time to serve their clients properly. 
• Pushy – Signs of a good real estate agent include an ability to guide new homebuyers through the purchase process. Bad real estate agents will attempt to push and shove you through the process of buying a home. When you feel like your real estate agent is trying to strong-arm you into buying a house, it’s time to pause. Forcefulness is a clear indication that the real estate agent is motivated by their commission and not your best interests. 
• Uninformed – Being an uninformed agent is a characteristic of part-time and inexperienced agents. A real estate agent who is not knowledgeable about the market they are working in is a major red flag. They are required to understand the market to help clients make better home buying and selling decisions. Therefore, you want an agent that is current on what’s happening in the market and can provide you with reliable data to take action.
• No-show – Selling a home requires appointment scheduling, frequent meetings, and open house events. When an agent is a constant no-show, they are unreliable and have no respect for a client’s time. Even one no-show can have a detrimental effect on the progress of buying a home. 
• Shaky negotiation – Signs of a good real estate agent lay in their ability to negotiate well. They have a fiduciary duty to their clients to push for the best possible price. When you’ve received several offers on a house, but no one has settled on a final price, it is a clear sign that your real estate agent has dropped the ball in negotiations. 
• Dishonest – Telling half-truths or lies is never ok for any professional. It can be exceptionally damaging for real estate clients making big decisions with hundreds of thousands of dollars. Bad real estate agents will provide misleading information, misrepresent you or the buyer, outright lie, or encourage you to conceal information. Real Estate Agents are bound by a Real Estate Agent Code of Ethics. 
• Over-eager – All real estate agents are fighting for your business. One of the signs of bad real estate agents is an over-eager attitude to please rather than provide proper guidance. A good real estate agent is transparent and forthright. 
• No guidance – One of the signs of a good real estate agent is their ability to relay information and provide advice. You’ll notice that bad real estate agents only pass along information without any guidance and consistently ask for your approval. This is a sign that they are not advocating for you. 

What to do if Your Real Estate Agent is Bad

• Get a recommendation – You’ve probably spent a few days to a few weeks with a bad real estate agent. To speed up the process, find a recommendation from friends or family. 
• Check experience – Once you’ve gathered a few potential real estate agents, check their background and price point. Some agents are comfortable with selling homes for $150,000 but are not equipped to sell million-dollar homes. New price points require a different set of skill sets. This concept can apply to different types of homes. For example, an agent may be used to selling rural homes or farms but ill-equipped to sell homes in urban areas. 
• Check online profile – One of the most important signs of a good real estate agent is an online presence. Everyone uses the internet these days, and you should find background information on the real estate agent you work with. They will list their statistics, reviews, closings, and other data. 
• Days on market – The number of days a real estate agent stays on the market is a sign of their home turnover. This metric measures the time between a house listing and when it goes to contract. Since most sellers want a fast turnover, working with a real estate agent with a low average of days on the market is a good sign. 
• Check for clarity – Signs of a good real estate agent can be seen in transparency during the initial consultation. Your agent should be transparent about expectations, leaving you confident in their skills and commitment. If the agent doesn’t request a consultation, that’s a major red flag. 

Signs of a Good Real Estate Agent