There are a wide variety of players in the Kenyan real estate market, including appraisers, property managers, contractors, bankers, mortgage loan officers, government organizations, as well as potential buyers and sellers.

However, crucial people who manage the real estate transaction process are real estate agents. One of the biggest financial decisions of our lives involves real estate agents in a big way. Real estate brokers/agencies help us through a process that can seem complex when buying, selling, leasing, or renting a home.

Realtors or brokers are other names for real estate agents. The position of a realtor is currently in high demand within the real estate industry in Kenya.

The majority of real estate investors in Kenya, however, might not be able to tell the difference between a trustworthy and dishonest real estate agent. A competent real estate agent works with several parties to make a successful transaction a reality since they are professional and determined by nature. Finding a good real estate agent can be challenging, particularly for first-time buyers or prospective homeowners looking to participate in the real estate market. Here are 4 key characteristics that distinguish professional real estate agents from cons.

   1. Communication Skills

An effective communicator who delivers all information about the property is a quality real estate agent. When revealing private information, the realtor should use caution. They should always be available for communication with a possible customer.

In order to thoroughly comprehend the needs and goals of a buyer or seller, a skilled real estate agent will take the time to speak with them. Corrupt people who pose as real estate agents frequently conceal important information, which could subsequently hamper progress and result in significant losses for buyers.

    2. Attractive and Knowledgeable

Since real estate brokers are the first point of contact between sellers and buyers, their first impression might affect whether or not a property transaction is completed. Sellers who get their properties ready for showings want a realtor who represents themselves well.

A well-groomed agent communicates confidence and puts potential purchasers at ease. The property will be well-prepared for the seller’s viewing by a competent agent who immediately exudes confidence. In addition, the agent takes excellent and well-timed images for the use of the property listing.

A good realtor provides customers with exceptional service, engages in high-level corporate marketing for the client’s property to ensure it attracts purchasers, and is able to resolve conflicts that may arise from the sale or acquisition of a property. It is essential to keep an eye out for agents that lack market expertise and conflict resolution skills. In order to successfully guide their customers through the entire process, from contract to closure, successful agents maintain organization and are detail-oriented.

   3. Observant of time

Good real estate agents will respect their client’s time and will work consistently to keep appointments with buyers or sellers until a deal is finalized and the property is bought or sold. The agents must take time to study and stay well informed of the new trends in the market and existing technologies.

An agent that can use technology with ease is going to be more up-to-date on the market in the area. They will also be more likely to be an organized person who has their act together. Most sellers prefer this type of person to help them sell their property. The agents should be committed and available to give excellent service to clients, and ready to negotiate for the price on behalf of the client.

   4. Ethical Principles

Sellers need a trustworthy agent who will give them the truth, even if it is difficult for them to hear. When conducting deals, the real estate agent should keep the highest moral and ethical standards. Real estate transactions must be transparent. While a certified real estate professional should be aware that their client is their primary responsibility, it is equally crucial for an agent to keep an open mind and act honestly toward other parties involved in the transaction. A real estate agent needs to learn how to be trustworthy and patiently persistent.

Unscrupulous agents will not conduct due diligence before presenting a property for viewing to potential buyers. Instead, they will provide inadequate listing information for a property in an attempt to mislead the buyer into purchasing a property that is not authorized by the seller. It is important to verify any given information by an agent to verify whether he/she is a con artist. A professional realtor will give the client their listing of previous clients as a reference and the list of deals closed from past transactions.

As a professional realtor, It is important to be resourceful as real estate transactions are complex and require effective handling of a lot of unknown situations. Resourcefulness is a direct result of years of experience and innovative thinking habits. A good real estate agent gathers valuable information and knows how to make buyers or sellers goal achievable.