Don’t Judge a Real Estate Agent by These 5 Outward Appearances

When it comes to choosing a real estate agent, it’s easy to fall into the trap of judging them based on superficial qualities. But deciding on an agent to work with based on their appearance is like picking a book for its cover — it’s what’s on the inside of both that matters most!

Would you rather have an agent who just looks like they could play the role of an agent on TV, or one that can actually help you find and negotiate the best possible price for the perfect house to watch TV?

Before you hire your next real estate agent, here are 5 things you might want to overlook if you want to hire the best agent for the job:

1) Their Car

If you had to choose between an agent who pulls up in a brand new Mercedes, or one with a modest minivan, there’s a good chance you might think that the luxury vehicle is a sure sign that agent is more successful, and therefore a better agent. But looks can be deceiving…

Just because an agent doesn’t drive the newest or nicest car, doesn’t mean they aren’t great at what they do! Perhaps they’re just frugal, or it’s a practical decision for their lifestyle. Judge an agent based upon their knowledge and skills, not the brand, make and model of their vehicle.

2) Their Age

If an agent seems too young, you may think they don’t have enough experience. On the other hand, if they look too old, you may wonder if they’re going to be as up to date on the latest tech or marketing tactics.

While age might impact how much experience an agent has in one way or another, it’s not always a reliable way to measure their skills, or how effectively they’ll be able to achieve your goals.

3) Their Tattoos

Visible tattoos have become a lot more mainstream and acceptable over the years, but some people still consider them unprofessional.

If you’re not a fan of tattoos, you’re certainly entitled to your opinion, but not hiring an agent just because they’re inked could be a decision you regert, ahem… regret!

4) How Attractive They Are

Studies have shown that people who are considered good looking tend to land jobs more easily and earn more money, and the stats likely hold true in the real estate industry.

No matter how pretty or handsome an agent you’re considering hiring may be, don’t let their looks blind you to a more capable agent who’s not as easy on the eyes. It’s not a beauty pageant…

5) The Brand of Their Real Estate Company

It’s common for people to judge agents based upon the brand they’re with, which is typically measured by how many for sale signs they have on lawns in the area, or how much marketing they do. Agents who are with smaller brands, or ones who don’t have as much of a presence in a certain area, are often overlooked because people presume they aren’t as successful or able to do a good job.

Agents choose which brand to affiliate with for a variety of business reasons, such as the training they offer, or the compensation and incentive packages that are available. Most agents are independent contractors, and have complete control over how they do business regardless of which company they’re with. Each individual agent is essentially their own brand within a brand, so focus on the agent and not the company they’re with.