Successful Real Estate Agent Qualities
Among all professionals involved in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit’s real estate industry, agents play a key role representing agencies and acting as intermediaries between property sellers and buyers. It is a job linked directly to the needs of the industry’s key players with the potential to produce successful transactions for all involved. Yet, how can we know who has what it takes? Several local brokers shared the traits they look for in a real estate agent when considering bringing someone new into their workforce, along with the qualities clients appreciate the most about these professionals that guide them through the property purchasing/selling process.
Encouraged by the many real estate opportunities available in our region and the significant number of professionals working for this sector, we asked a few local brokers about the traits and skillset a real estate agent should have to succeed in the business and provide both clients and representing agencies with positive experiences. While this is not a definitive list, we are happy to share our findings:
Personal attributes
Harriet Cochran Murray, Cochran Real Estate director and AMPI Vallarta president (a local branch of Mexico’s National Association of Real Estate Professionals), mentions that the qualities she would look for in a real estate agent include honesty, character, understanding of ethics and responsibility while protecting both buyers and sellers.
Carl Timothy, founder/president of Timothy Real Estate Group and AMPI member, considers communication skills to be pivotal: being bilingual and having the ability to relate effectively with any client profile in the market. In that respect, Sherri Narro—Sherri Narro & Associates president—mentions that, aside from knowledge, clients look for someone who is willing to answer all their questions. Guiding them through the process and showing professionalism, trust and confidence, may very well lead to a successful experience that, subsequently, brings more opportunities to the agent when people offer references and recommendations.
Independence
Even though real estate agents represent companies, the ability to generate opportunities by themselves is highly desirable. “They have to be able to generate their own client base. I need people that have a significant amount of knowledge to work for the industry, while I will guide, oversee and do everything in my power to help. Self-motivation is another important characteristic,” remarked Sherri Narro.
Use of technologies
Taking advantage of marketing tools available on the internet is essential to promote the brand and services that define a real estate agent. Carl Timothy considers important to have a good knowledge of marketing vehicles, such as newsletters and social media sites in an ever-changing world looking to access information.
Constant education
Harriet Cochran Murray and Carl Timothy both mentioned the importance of ongoing education for those working for the real estate industry. Murray encourage agents in the region to explore the educational alternatives available through the local AMPI chapter, such as courses available in person and online from different sources, such as the United States NAR (National Association of Realtors), and certification programs such as REALTOR, CIPS (Certified International Property Specialist), CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) and CONOCER (The Normalization and Certification Board of Labor Competency).