Your agent has two main functions: the first is to find you the home of your dreams (or at least something close); the second is to negotiate the best deal for you. You want an agent who is compatible enough with your personality, who works easily with you, so that he or she will know what you want and find it. At the same time, you want an agent who, once you’ve found the right home, is aggressive enough to go out there and get the seller to accept an offer favorable to you.
One of the biggest complaints that I hear about agents is that they can sometimes be overly assertive. I’ve talked with buyers who have said that some of the agents they’ve dealt with seemed to have their own agenda. If the buyers rejected property after property, the agent would become increasingly irritated. The agent would suggest that the buyers ought to make up their minds more quickly or, since they’ve seen all the properties the agent has to show, they should pick one, now. Otherwise, by implication (if not downright statement), they were wasting the agent’s time.
You don’t have to put up with that, and you shouldn’t. A good agent won’t attempt to push you into something you don’t want. A good agent will simply present properties to you.
You can easily tell when an agent is compatible with you. Going out and looking at houses, if not outright fun, will at least be a rewarding experience. You won’t feel threatened, intimidated, or pushed into anything. Yes, the agent may indicate that the home is a good price for the market or that a particular home is well situated or otherwise tell you which home they think is a better buy, but the good agent will give you room and time to make your own decision. If you don’t feel completely comfortable going out with an agent, drop that person like a hot potato.
On the other hand, the danger is that an agent who is obsequious, too submissive, or too easygoing and friendly will not be a strong enough advocate for you when it comes time to present your offer to the seller. If they’re weak with you, how will they be with a seller (and seller’s agent) who may demand a too high price and strict terms?
Ideally you want an agent who is firm, but not harsh. (Every now and then you want to see the glint of steel in the agent’s eyes!) If you’re misinterpreting the market (thinking that houses are worth less than they really are), a good agent will firmly straighten you out. If you think a house is wonderful, but it has a drainage problem, the agent will forcefully make you see the downside of buying it. In other words, a good agent will be friendly, but strong; patient, but assertive in making things clear; open to your desires and wishes, but forceful when it comes to preventing you from making a mistake.
That’s the kind of agent who will represent you well both when looking for a home or when you make and offer.
Information about Honolulu real estate agents provided by Hawaii Realty Internationl.