Jeff Kalina

Jeff Kalina, RE/MAX Excalibur, Scottsdale, Arizona I could start by saying I'm a top producer. I am. Top 10 in the state for RE/MAX. But, it seems every other agent makes that claim. I could tell you how many umpteen million dollars worth of real estate I've sold. But, that's agent math and what do you care?

So, why don't I just tell you the attributes I believe a good agent has:

Listens carefully

One of the most important things a real estate agent can do is listen to you-and not simply for the things you say you want in a home or neighborhood. I don't know anyone who is in the market for 2br/2ba. A good agent should be able to read between the lines and be intuitive about amenities you don't even know you need.

Explains thoroughly

A good agent communicates effectively and explains why he or she is doing what they do. When your agent explains an unfamiliar term or concept, you should be able to understand him or her well enough to explain it to someone else.

Knows the area

Real estate is a very local business. A good agent knows the territory: the housing stock, community peculiarities and the current market trends.

Communicates frequently

A good agent responds quickly and keeps you informed of what is going on in the process.

Negotiate

A good agent must know how to negotiate, but more importantly, a good agent must be able to bring all parties to agreement. In a real estate transaction, there are many parties with competing interests: a buyer, a seller, the buyer's agent, the seller's agent, the lender, the title officer, the escrow officer, termite inspector and the home inspector. Riding herd on all these people, and their conflicting interests, is the ultimate mark of the good agent. There are many agents who believe once the transaction is in escrow, their job is over. Far from it. Many problems crop up during escrow and solving these problems is what the good agent does.

There you have it. My thoughts on what a good agent does. I hope you've found it a little more informative than how many homes I've sold, how many millions of dollars they were worth and what a wonderful agent I am.