You’re ready to buy a home, but you’re not sure how to choose a high-performing real estate agent. You don’t’ want to trust this huge and life-altering transaction to a-friend-of-a-friend, but how do you choose an agent? What qualities should you look for in a real estate agent? No worries—we’ve got you covered!

We want your first-time home buying experience to be memorable but for all the right reasons. We’ve outlined our Top 10 Non-Negotiable Qualities of a High-Performing Real Estate to help you get started. Why high performing? In short, a real estate agent who is performing with high results will ensure a seamless customer experience from start to close. He or she will be committed to serving with honesty, integrity, and the highest level of customer service, which is our goal at HLS—making your first or even third home buying experience EXCELLENT!

While this list is not exhaustive, these top 10 non-negotiable qualities will help you identify a high-performing professional that is just right for you.

1. Integrity
   This is by far, the most significant quality, which governs and drives the remaining nine qualities. Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is around. When an agent is guided by values rooted in integrity, they will embrace the remaining nine qualities with excitement and consistency.
2. Excellent Interpersonal Skills
   As a buyer, you will spend a great deal of time interacting with your real estate agent—by telephone and in person as you view various properties.You want to work with a real estate agent who has excellent interpersonal skills, which includes verbal and non-verbal communication. You want an agent who will listen to your concerns, and needs and will suggest the best solutions to help you meet your home-buying goals.
3. Results-Driven
   Generally speaking, past performance is a reliable indicator of future performance. You want to find out how many homes the agent has sold in the past 12 months. Read the customer testimonials on the agent’s website to see what previous buyers have said about their home-buying experience. Getting the best results for their customers and achieving career success drives their high-performance.
4. Industry-Savvy
   Just as you would choose a knowledgeable tax preparer to do your income taxes, you want a real estate agent who understands the local housing market and is well informed on local and federal real estate laws. A high-performing real estate agent knows their industry and the trends that influence the market.  
5. Fearless Negotiator
   Your real estate agent can save you thousands of dollars if they put your best interest first rather than focusing on their need to close the deal. A real estate professional who is governed by integrity will fearlessly negotiate the best deal for you. They understand when and how to negotiate on your behalf and for the best results for you.   
6. Commitment to Personal and Professional Development
   Why is personal and professional development so important?In short, because growth is a continual process, and even the most seasoned real estate agent has room for personal and professional growth. Question: Does the agent have any professional designations from the National Association of Realtors? High-performing real estate agents keep growing.
7. Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
   You will experience many emotions during the home-buying process. When challenges arise—sellers have a change of heart, closing dates change, etc., you may feel anxious or even fearful. A composed real estate agent who responds well to surprises and changes will help you keep stress at bay. EQ also comes in handy when negotiating the best deal for you.
8. Proactive, Self-Disciplined and Organized
   You won’t have to search far and wide for a real estate professional who is committed to their profession. They are active and engaged in the community, building relationships, and showcasing homes for potential buyers. They have an organized system for delivering an outstanding consumer experience every time. They govern themselves with discipline in every area of their lives. You’ll often find well-disciplined real estate professionals in the gym because they understand the importance and core value of self-discipline.
9. Energetic and Self-Motivated
   High-performing real estate agents are energetic and enthusiastic! I’m not suggesting that they’re always bouncing off the walls, but you certainly don’t have to check their pulse to see if they’re breathing either. The point here is that a high-performing real estate agent is fully engaged and enjoys what he or she does every day. They wear a smile along with their professional attire. They are self-motivated and need no prompting to perform—these are the professionals you want to work with when you buy your first home.
10. Patient and Empathetic We cannot overstate the necessity of this quality in a high-performing real estate agent.  You’re purchasing a home, not a new pair of shoes. You should never fill rushed into choosing the perfect home for your budget and lifestyle. It may take viewing quite a few houses before you decide on the best one for you, not your agent. A high-performing real estate agent is patient and understands the buying process because they’ve been through it themselves.

High-performing real estate agents lead with empathy, which allows them to put themselves in your shoes and exercise patience as you consider the pros and cons of each property and your financial obligations and goals.

We could have added ten additional qualities, but we hope these top 10 qualities will get you off to a great start. If this article was helpful, we would love to hear your feedback. Comment below and be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for engaging real estate news and tips.

Remember, a real estate agent who is governed by integrity will embrace these qualities with ease and enjoyment because doing what’s right for their customer is their primary goal.

At HLS Realty, it is our aim to help you make your best real estate decisions.