Scott McGillivray’s 10 Signs That You’ve Hired the Wrong Real Estate Agent

In the real estate business, there are good agents and bad agents – and the difference in your overall experience can be tremendous depending on who you work with. Here’s how to know if you’ve hired the wrong person.

Scott McGillivray is a real estate expert and host of HGTV Canada’s Income Property and Moving the McGillivrays.

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1 / 10

They Show You Houses You Can’t Afford

This is something that I hear buyers complain about all the time. Their agent shows them houses they can’t afford, they fall in love with them and then they’re disappointed. Or worse, they fall so in love that they end up buying something outside of their budget and get into financial trouble. A good agent will take your price limitations seriously and only show you what is within your limit.

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2 / 10

They Don’t Communicate

Buying or selling a home has huge financial implications on your life, so you need an agent who is keeping you in the loop about what’s going on. They should be proactive about sending you information and be pretty quick to respond to your texts and emails. That said, you can’t harass someone at all hours, so have a discussion beforehand about work hours and methods of communication.

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3 / 10

They Don’t Have a Marketing Plan

As far as I’m concerned, a complete marketing plan is essential for getting a home sold for top dollar. Before I hire an agent, I ask what they’re going to do to get my property in front of qualified buyers. Sometimes it will be limited to social media, other times mail campaigns and flyers, other times it could be TV or YouTube ads. Depending on what you’re selling and where you’re selling it, marketing plans will change, but make sure to ask the question before you start.

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4 / 10

They Show You Houses That Don’t Fit Your Specifications (Within Reason)

If you’re shopping for a house, you’ve probably given your realtor specifications for what you want. It’s important that they do their best to show you houses that fit those requests. That’s not to say they shouldn’t show you some different options, but if you need three bedrooms, they shouldn’t be showing you two-bedroom homes. If you’ve specified a detached home, they shouldn’t be showing you semis or rows. Sometimes compromises have to be made and that’s okay, but make sure your realtor is doing their best to find what you’re looking for.

Real estate agent shows older couple design on tablet

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5 / 10

They Don’t Offer You Guidance

You’ve hired an agent because they’re an expert in the field. Chances are, you are not. Therefore it’s reasonable to expect your agent to offer you guidance throughout the process. Whether it’s about the state of the market, how to make an offer or what’s involved in closing, a good agent will help you navigate the process so that you can make informed decisions.

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6 / 10

They Don’t Have a Network

A real estate agent is not a lone wolf. Those who really know the business and do their jobs well will have a network of people who can help you through the process of buying and settling in to your new home. A good agent should be able to offer recommendations for home inspectors, mortgage lenders, real estate lawyers and more.

Realtor gives new homeowners keys to house

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7 / 10

They’re a “Yes Person”

I like people who say yes, but I don’t like “yes people.” Let me clarify. People who say yes are the ones who figure out how to make things happen. “Yes people” on the other hand just tell you whatever you want to hear. I want people to say yes, but only because they’re determined to figure out how to get me what I want. But if your real estate agent is just a “yes person” who promises the world and delivers nothing, it could lead to no good. Make sure your agent is honest and upfront and is willing to do what it takes to help you reach your goals.

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8 / 10

They Don’t Value Your Time

When you hire an agent, remember that you are the client and your time is valuable. An agent who brushes you off and doesn’t value your time as much as theirs is not someone you want to be working with. Of course, the reverse is true as well. If you want your agent to value your time, you must do the same in return.

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9 / 10

They’re Too Pushy

Buying a house is a big deal. If you’ve got an agent who is pressuring you to buy something you’re not ready and/or able to buy, you’ve got the wrong agent. Sure, they want to make the sale and wrap things up, but a good agent will never try to force you into something you’re not ready for. In my opinion, a pushy agent is not trustworthy.

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10 / 10

They Have No Web Presence

These days a strong web presence is a must, particularly in a competitive business like real estate. When I start working with someone new, I want to make sure they’re at the forefront of digital technology. I also want to be able to learn more about them through websites, social media and client reviews. If I look someone up and don’t find anything, I’m immediately suspicious of how successful they really are. Someone who takes the time to cultivate a strong web presence is serious about their business.