09/06/2026
Discover everything Kelloggs Real Estate Group has to offer.
September Real Estate News
To hire a realtor, start by gathering referrals, compare agents online , verify licenses, and interview candidates to assess experience, communication style, fees, and market knowledge. This process ensures you select a qualified professional who fits your needs and understands your local market.
A good realtor combines integrity, local expertise, communication, negotiation, and client-focused problem-solving to deliver exceptional service.
Key Qualities
1. Integrity and Honesty – A trustworthy agent prioritizes clients’ interests over personal gain, providing transparent advice and realistic property valuations.
2. Local Market Knowledge – Understanding neighborhood trends, pricing, and community dynamics allows agents to guide clients effectively and make informed recommendations.
3. Strong Communication Skills – Successful realtors are clear, responsive, and adaptable in their communication, ensuring clients feel informed and confident throughout the process.
4. Negotiation Expertise – Skilled agents can advocate for clients, balancing both buyer and seller perspectives to achieve favorable outcomes.
5. Problem-Solving Ability – Realtors often face unexpected challenges; creative solutions and adaptability are essential for smooth transactions .
6. Client-Focused Approach – Putting clients first, showing empathy, and building trust ensures long-term relationships and satisfaction.
7. Experience and Track Record – Proven success across different market cycles demonstrates reliability and competence.
8. Entrepreneurial Spirit – Self-motivation, initiative, and the drive to manage one’s business effectively are key traits for sustained success.
9. Technological Savvy – Using digital tools, social media, and online marketing enhances property visibility and client engagement.
10. Availability and Responsiveness – Being accessible for questions, showings, and guidance reassures clients and strengthens trust .
1. They have the right expertise
11. Want to check the MLS for a 4B/2B with an EIK and a W/D? Real estate has its own language, full of acronyms and semi-arcane jargon, and your Realtor is trained to speak that language fluently.
12. Plus, buying or selling a home usually requires dozens of forms, reports, disclosures, and other technical documents. Realtors have the expertise to help you prepare a killer deal—while avoiding delays or costly mistakes that can seriously mess you up.
13. 2. They have turbocharged searching power
14. The Internet is awesome. You can find almost anything—anything! And with online real estate listing sites such as yours truly, you can find up-to-date home listings on your own, any time you want. But guess what? Realtors have access to even more listings. Sometimes properties are available but not actively advertised. A Realtor can help you find those hidden gems.
15. Plus, a good local Realtor is going to know the search area way better than you ever could. Have your eye on a particular neighborhood, but it's just out of your price range? Your Realtor is equipped to know the ins and outs of every neighborhood, so she can direct you toward a home in your price range that you may have overlooked.
16. 3. They have bullish negotiating chops
17. Any time you buy or sell a home, you're going to encounter negotiations—and as today's housing market heats up, those negotiations are more likely than ever to get a little heated.
18. You can expect lots of competition, cutthroat tactics, all-cash offers, and bidding wars. Don't you want a savvy and professional negotiator on your side to seal the best deal for you?
19. And it's not just about how much money you end up spending or netting. A Realtor will help draw up a purchase agreement that allows enough time for inspections, contingencies, and anything else that's crucial to your particular needs.
20. 4. They're connected to everyone
21. Realtors might not know everything, but they make it their mission to know just about everyone who can possibly help in the process of buying or selling a home. Mortgage brokers, real estate attorneys, home inspectors, home stagers, interior designers—the list goes on—and they're all in your Realtor's network. Use them.
22. 5. They adhere to a strict code of ethics
23. Not every real estate agent is a Realtor, who is a licensed real estate salesperson who belongs to the National Association of Realtors®, the largest trade group in the country.
24. What difference does it make? Realtors are held to a higher ethical standard than licensed agents and must adhere to a Code of Ethics.
25. 6. They're your sage parent/data analyst/therapist—all rolled into one
26. The thing about Realtors: They wear a lot of different hats. Sure, they're salespeople, but they actually do a whole heck of a lot to earn their commission. They're constantly driving around, checking out listings for you. They spend their own money on marketing your home (if you're selling). They're researching comps to make sure you're getting the best deal.
27. And, of course, they're working for you at nearly all hours of the day and night—whether you need more info on a home or just someone to talk to in order to feel at ease with the offer you just put in. This is the biggest financial (and possibly emotional) decision of your life, and guiding you through it isn't a responsibility Realtors take lightly.
28. These qualities collectively ensure that a realtor can navigate complex transactions, provide expert guidance, and maintain strong client relationships, making them effective and respected in the real estate industry.
Ken Kellogg, Agent/Broker DRE #01415040
[email protected]
