Work with one agent

Be direct with your agent and ask about the terms of your relationship and if he/she will be representing you exclusively. Often if you sign a contract with an agent, it is expected that you will only work with that agent.

If your agent expects exclusivity, do not communicate with or call other agents. If you find a home that you want to see, contact your agent and not the agent who listed the property. You hired your agent to find you the right home and your agent will do his/her best to fulfill your needs.

Going behind your agent’s back could potentially ruin your client-agent relationship and affect your communication. In doing this, your agent may not make you a priority, therefore making it more difficult to find your dream home.

Be clear with your agent as to the manner on how you wish to communicate

Do you prefer phone calls, texts, emails, or face-to-face meetings? How often would you like to meet with your agent? It’s very important to maintain an open and constant line of communication with your agent at all times. The method and frequency that you talk with your agent play an important role in how successfully you communicate with your agent.

Be reasonable

You should feel like a priority to your agent, but keep in mind that he or she has other clients as well. Ask your agent for a typical timeframe of when you should expect to hear back from him or her. This way, you know if and when to follow up. If you have an appointment with your agent to view a home, treat it like a priority. If you are going to be late or cannot make it, call your agent and let him/her know.

If you are not ready to buy a home quite yet -  it's ok. But be mindful and do not pretend that you are ready to buy if you are not. Don’t enlist the services of an agent if you know you are still in the fact-finding and “just looking” phase of your home search. When you are ready, let your agent know and her or she will be there to assist you.

Communicate and express your wants and needs

• Your needs should be a list of what you absolutely cannot live without in a house.
• Your wants should include perks but should not be deal breakers.

Be upfront about your wants and needs so your agent can easily find exactly what you are looking for in a home. If you aren’t clear with your agent from the beginning, you will waste your time looking at houses that you’ll never purchase and miss an opportunity to purchase one that could be the perfect fit for y our needs.

Ask Questions

Asking questions is another way to communicate effectively with your agent. You should ask questions before you sign with the agent, during the home search process and after you have found your home which you wish to purchase. If you cannot meet with your agent right away, it’s best to write down all the questions you have so you can be ready for when you meet.

Effective communication with your agent is one of the best ways to make your home buying experience pleasant, smooth and stress-free. Don’t withhold important information from your agent. Don’t be afraid to offer feedback or suggestions if you feel unhappy with how you and your agent communicate. Be open and honest throughout the process, and before you know it, you will be ready to move into your dream home.

Get to the Point

When speaking to your agent, don’t be shy in getting to the point with regards to your wants, needs, concerns, particular questions, etc. Your agent will appreciate this and will be able to help you more effectively.