If you have been lucky enough to stay in your home for many years and are now contemplating a move, you may find yourself surprised to realize how much the real estate industry has changed. Remember when agents listed properties in the newspaper classifieds? Maybe you received a direct mail campaign to announce a house for sale, or had an agent place a cold call to seek your listing. The introduction of the internet completely transformed how agents market and sell homes.

It seems like every agent has a social media presence today. However, not all real estate agents truly master the innovative techniques available today. Read on to learn how to successfully vet a qualified real estate agent in today’s digital world.

Where To Begin?

While social media is important, it’s not always the be-all and end-all of deciding who to work with when selling your home. Highly qualified real estate agents know to maintain a strong online presence, but not rely on it to be a top producer. The best agents are highly visible and active in their communities, networking and building relationships. You’ll still see their signs on lawns and their listings displayed in their office windows. Neighbors and friends will likely have positive experiences to share as well.

So, how does social media fit into your search for the right agent? Begin by taking a look online to verify an agent’s profile. If you find an agent you may want to work with, check them out online and make sure they are active and posting frequently. Do they use their website, Instagram or Facebook as a platform to promote their listings and market effectively? This glimpse can give you real insight into their expertise and marketing style.

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Don’t Be Fooled By Flashy Metrics

When reviewing a real estate agent’s online profile, be wary of things like “too many” followers since those stats can get inflated with bots and spammers. More followers does not always mean a better agent. Are any of those followers people that you actually know in your community? If so, ask them directly if they’ve had a positive experience with the agent.

Also, don’t be swayed by flashy posts that don’t resonate with you. Some agents can go overboard with online gimmicks or silly videos to capture likes and followers. Real estate is still a human industry and you need to choose an agent that is going to represent you the way you want to be represented. 

Hoping to buy or sell a home? You’ll want to work with an experienced real estate professional. Click here to learn how to find the right agent for you.

Always Check Reviews

An agent’s social media presence is not limited to their Instagram posts or LinkedIn profile. You’ll definitely want to check their online reviews and ratings. Look at platforms like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Google Reviews to see what past clients say about potential agents. Does the agent you are considering have a substantial amount of positive reviews online? Do they reply to reviews?

When an experienced agent takes the time to acknowledge a review, it shows that they are proactively maintaining their online presence and care about how past clients view their working relationship. In reading reviews and responses, you can gauge both an agent’s experience level and how they value professionalism.

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Interview Agents Directly

The demand for specialized skills, innovative thinking, and adaptive expertise has grown in our social media-driven world. A strong online presence is critical in order to be a successful agent today. But nothing is more valuable than a face-to-face interview when it comes time to work with a real estate agent.

Not only will you be able to evaluate their communication and people skills, but you can ask those direct questions you want answered. How will the agent market your home for sale? To what extent do they take advantage of social media? Can you see examples of them using social media in current listing marketing? Challenge their knowledge of the local market and evaluate whether they seem on top of current trends and property values.

Picking An Agent

By leveraging social media in your search for a real estate agent, you can gain valuable insights into their personality, work ethic, and expertise before ever meeting in person. This approach can help you find not just a competent agent, but one who truly aligns with your needs and communication style.

Remember, while social media can be a great tool for initial research, it’s important to verify information and meet potential agents in person before making a final decision. Highly qualified agents will welcome the opportunity to connect with you and share their proven marketing strategies. So, once you’ve done your online research and have selected potential agents, set up listing appointments to find the agent who is right for you. 

Searching for professional real estate experts to guide your next move? Get in touch with our team. Click here to send us an email or call 781-729-2329 to get started.