Unfortunately, not all employers are created equally, and the levels of greed and lack of respect from many employers can be shocking. Maybe we have become spoiled with better customer service in Ireland and Australia, but the working conditions here can be quite tough in comparison. Thankfully, there are some good companies and employers among the bad ones, but they can seem to be few and far between at times. We are in the great position to now work for ourselves, under the name Agent Red Devil, and we stand by our behaviour and actions alone, without having to answer to somebody else who may just see euro signs and personal gain over helping staff and clients. A happy workforce, in our opinion, breeds a positive and helpful environment all around, enabling clients to sell or purchase their property, and a real estate agent may become a new friend for many years to come. With so many real estate agents all over the Costa Blanca, it can be a minefield choosing the right estate agent, especially with many scams operating in the world today. Choosing the right estate agent can be the difference between your dreams becoming a reality or the stuff of nightmares.

Here are some of Agent Red Devil's top tips on choosing the right real estate agent here in Orihuela Costa.

Local Knowledge

Agents typically have a client list of buyers looking in the area and, in many cases, will have somebody in mind for your home as soon as they view it. If you are selling a two-bedroom apartment near the sea, a ground-floor apartment with a garden with sea views, etc., a good agent will have a list of people looking for those exact properties and can make your search for your new home or investment a lot faster. A good agent with good local knowledge and network strength will know how much demand there is currently and exactly where prices stand; they can then give you an accurate idea of how much you can realistically achieve for your property when selling.

Realistic Valuations

Don't be tempted to go with the highest valuation. If an agent overvalues your home in the hope of getting more commission, it is likely that the property will linger on the market longer than it should do and will inevitably end up being reduced in price. A good agent will open up honest communication and advise realistically what you can achieve to get the best deal possible for all parties involved.

Online Presence

For three hundred and sixty-five days of the year, people will browse properties online; many may just be looking, but there will also be many who are serious about buying, and that dream home maybe just a click away from becoming reality. It is important to check that your agent has a proper online presence of its own. Check out their website and their social media pages. Good photography is a great sign, as a good agent knows how to present your home in the best light to make it look its best on screen. At Agent Red Devil, I don't like to overshare my life online, but I also like to present myself outside of work as a person so the client can see what type of character I am before they meet me. Nothing to hide

Ask for referrals.

Before you search online for real estate agents in your area, ask your local friends or family members whether they can recommend an agent they have worked with in the past. Asking those you trust for referrals can be the best way to find an agent. At Agent Red Devil, we are proud of the many referrals and positive comments made by many clients who have now become friends.

Ask questions

When you meet with some of your shortlisted agents, ask them questions to get a sense of how they work and how they can help you buy or sell a home. The best real estate agents will welcome questions to help clients understand their process and see if they are a good fit. It’s a good idea to ask about their previous sales, experience working in your neighbourhood, work style, and other factors that might come into play while you’re working together.

Follow your gut.

If you have a weird feeling about an agent even after following all the previous steps, it’s best to follow your instincts. After all, you will be working closely with this individual, and if you aren’t entirely comfortable with them, it won’t be a very good working relationship. Crossing a contender that checks all the other boxes off your list is fine if your gut tells you it’s not a good fit.

Choosing The Right Real Estate Agent, Questions, Questions and More Questions

The following questions are good for buyers and sellers to ask real estate agents when they are shopping around to find one to help them buy a house or sell a house:

• How long have you been in the industry? Lack of experience doesn’t necessarily rule out an agent, but knowing they have experience can make you feel more confident working with them.
• How many clients do you have at one time? If an agent has too many clients, they may not have as much time for you as you would like.
• Do you work independently or as part of a team? While some agents work alone, many, like Agent Red Devil, firmly believe in collaboration. This enables us to find the right property for a client, as we have access to a vast database of properties. Instead of focussing on the most commission, we are happy to share with other companies and agents in the area to find the right property for you.

Questions for buyers to ask

If you’re looking for a real estate agent to help you find and purchase your dream home, the following questions can help you determine whether the agent you’re interviewing is a good fit:

• How will you help me find listings in my price range? Ask whether the agent will be proactive in finding listings that meet your requirements and are within your price range and how they will search for potential matches.
• Will you help me make a competitive offer once I’ve found a home I like? It’s crucial to find an agent who will help you come up with a competitive offer to increase the likelihood of it being accepted.
• How will you help with negotiations with the sellers? A real estate transaction is rarely straightforward. Ask the agent you’re considering working with how they will work with you to negotiate with the seller and come to an agreement.

Questions for sellers to ask

When searching for a real estate agent to help sell your home, it's important to ask the following questions:

• How many homes have you sold recently in this area? An agent with experience in your area will be more likely to have success helping you buy or sell a home.
• How will you go about marketing my home? Part of selling a home is ensuring you get the word out to as many potential buyers as possible. Your real estate agent’s marketing plan will greatly impact this.
• Does my home need any immediate improvements before listing? A real estate agent can likely point out any issues that may be off-putting to a buyer, such as minor repairs to the drywall or floors or unusual paint colour.  At Agent Red Devil, we have connections to many teams in the area, from carpenters to plumbers, builders to interior designers, to help the process.
• How much do you think my home is worth? Your real estate agent should give you a realistic idea of the amount you can expect to sell your home for by analysing comparable homes in the area that have recently sold and taking into account any improvements you’ve made or issues with the house.

Choosing The Right Real Estate Agent, Why Choose Agent Red Devil?

So why choose Agent Red Devil? Let us start with honesty; our word is our bond. Yes, earning a living wage is important, but we never put money and financial gain above a client and their needs. There is more to life than money, and while it is nice to earn a living from a sale or purchase, the biggest satisfaction is seeing a happy client and making new friends along the way! Being problem solvers, adaptable, and caring are also character traits we are proud of and go a long way to making a good real estate agent. Finally, in a profession with many unlicensed and unregistered agents in the area, being a registered licensed agent who is a member of API, (The Professional association of real estate agents in the province of Alicante is a public right corporation of professional character, recognised and covered by the Spanish Constitution, with its own juridical personal and full capacity for the fulfilment of its purposes.).

The association is governed by various laws and statutes to give you extra peace of mind.

So there you have it, Choosing the Right Real Estate Agent here on the Costa Blanca! Let Agent Red Devil be the better devil you know!

www.agentreddevil.com