How to Find the Right Ottawa Real Estate Agent

April 15, 2019 | Working with an Agent

Are you looking for Ottawa real estate agent who can help make your home sale or purchase a success? Start your search confidently with our quick guide to finding a fantastic real estate professional…

If you’re buying or selling a home, it will probably be one of the biggest transactions of your life. The stakes are high, so having the right guidance is important. We’re not just talking about someone with advanced skills, expertise, and a knowledge of the local market (though all of these things are important). A great agent will also earn your trust and do everything they can to make you feel comfortable! Read on to learn how to choose Ottawa real estate agent that will work for you.

Do your homework

If you’re looking for great Ottawa real estate agent, you’ll likely begin your search online. There’s nothing wrong with that—in fact, the internet is one of the best places to start narrowing down your options. It goes without saying that when you’re on an agent’s website, you should learn as much as you can about their professional approach. But it’s also important to look beyond what they’re writing about themselves. Have they received any awards or distinctions that might set them apart from the competition? More importantly, what do past clients have to say about them? Read an agent’s testimonials—and any other online reviews you can find—to get a sense of what working with them is really like.

Ask for recommendations

When you’re looking for help, who better to ask than family and friends? Whether it’s a brother-in-law’s parents or a coworker’s best friend, those who we have a personal connection with are often the most honest and helpful resources at our disposal. We suggest asking around to find someone who’s had a good recent experience with a local agent. You can ask the people closest to you to help spread the word, or pose the question on social media to further extend your reach. Either way, there’s a good chance that mining your networks will help you find some great potential leads!

Interview thoroughly

Of course, coming up with a shortlist of Ottawa Realtors is only half the battle. Once you have a few professionals in mind, it’s wise to move onto the interview phase. As agents, some of the most important questions we hear have to do with our credentials, our communities of expertise, and how we communicate with clients. Many buyers and sellers also find it helpful to ask how we’ve dealt with situations like theirs in the past. Bottom line? We see every interview as an opportunity for potential clients to learn more, whether they ultimately decide to work with us or not. Any agent worth their salt will take the time to answer every question you have.

Watch for red flags

Learning to spot a great Realtor is important, but so is knowing what to avoid. One of the biggest potential red flags is a general lack of interest. If an agent offers suggestions before they’ve asked any questions about you or what you’re hoping to achieve, it’s definitely a bad sign. You should also be wary of anyone who says “yes” to everything. If an agent is telling you what you want to hear without providing additional information, the outcome of working with them will likely fall far short of your expectations. A credible professional should also demonstrate that they have the industry connections and neighbourhood experience to support you on your journey. If they can’t, it’s probably a sign that you should look elsewhere for help.

Talk to past clients

Testimonials can be very helpful in the early stages of your search. But once you’re seriously considering a couple of Ottawa Realtors, it makes sense to dig deeper. If you want to know what working with a specific agent is truly like, you should get some references from honest (and unfiltered) sources. Past clients will provide that. Buying or selling a major investment (like a home) can have a huge impact on a person’s life, and someone who’s gone through it isn’t going to sugarcoat the experience. They’ll tell you what an agent did—or didn’t do—to make their transaction a success.

We know there’s a lot riding on your real estate deal, which is why choosing an agent can be so stressful. While you should definitely trust your gut, being prepared with a relevant search criteria and a few important questions can help you make the right decision!

Looking for experienced Ottawa Realtors who care about your success? Whether you’re buying or selling, get in touch to learn what we have to offer!