Traits to Seek in Your Real Estate Agent

Dotcom Design • Apr 23, 2019

Buying and selling a piece of property is often a challenging prospect even for the most prepared and skilled individual. Most people can't get past these difficulties and may need real estate agents in Iowa City who they can trust to do this hard work for them. But how can you find a great real estate agent in a market saturated with them? By looking for the following personality traits and skills. Any realtor worth your time will have these traits and many more.

Great Communication Skills

When you work with real estate agents , you need to find someone who can talk to you and others calmly and reasonably. A good agent needs to have your best needs in mind but must be able to communicate the best needs of others in a way that is believable and honest. Any realtor who cannot talk to you and explain various elements of your property is one who you should avoid.

For example, your realtor needs to understand how to explain why a home is priced in a certain way and to discuss the elements of this cost calmly and reasonably. Breaking down these elements point by point can be tedious but must be done to ensure that everyone feels confident. Just as importantly, agents need to know how to talk to others in the deal to avoid conflict of interest.

All of these traits are critical but, most importantly, a real estate agent needs to be friendly and open and someone who doesn't shout or scream to make their point. Screamers should be avoided when it comes to real estate because they typically don't understand how to please everyone in a deal. While they might get some things done with their actions, they're more likely to alienate people than satisfy them.

Self-Starting Personality

All real estate agents need to be motivated individuals who work hard every day and who can start on their jobs without getting a kick in the butt from anybody else. Yes, you might need to keep on them from time to time about certain things, but good agents don't need your help to stay motivated. This type of trait is a tough one to find and can be faked or emulated by many.

For example, your realtor may claim to have a self-starting personality but turn out to be someone with OCD who worries too much about small details at the expensive of the larger picture. For example, they may find black mold in a home and tell you not to buy, even though you could probably get the mold cleaned if the house is the right one for your precise real estate needs.

Just as importantly, you need to find an agent who is still willing to check back with you to ensure that the deal is going smoothly. Agents who try to get everything done without your approval are a bit too self-motivated and may be worried mostly about their own needs rather than yours. These individuals may be brilliant in their way but should be avoided whenever possible to keep your purchases smooth.

Tenacity and Honesty

Real estate agents , like car dealers, have a reputation of slight “storytelling” that the less charitable would call dishonesty. These traits occur because the agent is trying to sell the home in the best possible light. They may not mean to lie to you but merely exaggerate a point or try to make it seem less important than it is to the value of your home. However, real honesty is a trait all good realtors should possess.

For example, they should be willing to show you parts of the home that are in rougher shape, even if they don't sell the house in the best light. People instinctively appreciate this honest and are more likely to buy a rough fixer-upper if the realtor is at least honest about it. Paired with honesty is the importance of tenacity, a trait that may also cause reputation problems for some agents.

Simply put, an agent should tenaciously pursue a deal to the bitter end and try to do whatever is possible to seal it. They shouldn't give up just because you and the other party are haggling or if the other party tries to pull out. Instead, they should continually work for your best interest by pursuing the best deal while also not alienating the other party in any way. This balance is hard to achieve, but it can be done.

Instinctive Understanding of Real Estate

Lastly, competent real estate agents not only understand the local housing market but have an almost intuitive grasp of where the market is heading and how they can help you achieve the best results. For example, they must know what type of property is prevalent in your area, what costs you can anticipate, and understand how to haggle the price down to a more reasonable one for your needs.

Just as importantly, an agent needs to understand what elements of real estate appeals to certain people and to tweak their pitch to specific people. For example, someone may appreciate outdoor features like pools and patios more than extra bedrooms, and your agent must know how to zero-in on this benefit in a way that sells it to the buyer in a way that moves the house.

Good agents also have a comprehensive network of connections in the area into which they can tap to learn more about a home or a deal. For example, they need to have contact with other agents, home brokers, other potential buyers and sellers, mortgage agents, and even local libraries. These connections can help them better understand their potential market and produce better results for your needs.

Real Professionals are Also Important

Other important traits to consider in an agent include excellent personal skills, intelligence, flexibility, and more. These traits all create a high-quality agent who you can trust to have your best needs in mind at all times. Many of the largest cities in Iowa, such as Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Marion, Coralville, and other surrounding areas have many agents from which you can choose.

So if you need real estate agents in Iowa City who you can trust to get the best results, please don't hesitate to contact us at Kari Juhl to learn more about your many excellent options. Our realtors are all trained to provide high-quality advice to people like you and will work hard to ensure that you either find a piece of property that is right for you or sell your home at a cost that ensures you profit.

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What Should I Know Before Moving to Cedar Rapids, Iowa?

By Dotcom Design • 21 Oct, 2022

It is a significant milestone to pick up where you are and move your whole life to a new location. Whether your profession requires it or your family circumstances necessitate that you have decided to move to Cedar Rapids, allow us to guide you as you embark on your new adventure. Below, we'll discuss everything you need to know about Cedar Rapids. We'll cover everything—from the city's neighborhoods, and school systems to the employment opportunities and recreational activities available within the city, so you can go into your move with the knowledge of what awaits you. Cedar Rapids, Iowa Cedar Rapids is one of Iowa's largest cities in America. It was originally named Rapids City after the Cedar River's rapids. Despite its industrial and cultural development, the city retains a sense of a peaceful town that makes you feel like settling down. Cedar Rapids is also known as a great place to raise a family. Many businesses fuel the economy of Cedar Rapids, ranging from agricultural-based manufacturing to electronics, telecommunications, and aviation. Almost every airline in the world uses Cedar Rapids-produced aircraft electronics. According to Expansion magazine, Cedar Rapids was placed #6 among the top 12 cities in the United States for business expansion. And according to Outlook magazine, Cedar Rapids is the second-best city in the country for overall quality of life. Climate Average temperature and humidity, yearly rainfall and snowfall, wind speeds, and other elements can influence your climatic preferences. In a typical year, Cedar Rapids experiences approximately 157 days with temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow covers the ground for over 63 days a year, or 17.3 percent of the year. Imagine 7 consecutive days of mild rain per year. At Cedar Rapids, once summer and fall hit, it is very much appreciated. In the United States, sunrise and sunset hours differ by region. And according to studies, the length of each day and the amount of sunlight can have a major impact on people's moods. In Cedar Rapids, the shortest day lasts for 9 hours and 6 minutes. During this kind of day, you'll catch the sun rising at around 7:30 am, and set as early as 4:34 pm. However, during the longest day, you'll experience daytime for 15 hours and 13 minutes. The sun will rise at 5:30 am and will set at 8:46 pm. Community Cedar Rapids has a reputation for being a peaceful, middle-aged town ideal for raising a family. If you are in your early 20s however, note that it is slowly changing. Some of the younger people like you are flocking to the revitalized NewBo, Downtown, and Czech Village. Czech Village is a unique blend of residences and commerce with walkable streets located near the Downtown District. Much of the area has been occupied by the same families for numerous generations, giving it historical significance. Downtown Cedar Rapids is home to the city's banking, insurance, and telecommunications businesses, as well as cultural gems such as the Paramount Theater, Theater Cedar Rapids, and Cedar Rapids Symphony. Cost of Living Once you have an idea of what your home expenditures will be, consider how much groceries, petrol, utilities, and other expenses will cost in this new place. Because these costs can differ greatly from state to state, it's crucial to include them when calculating your new cost of living. Cedar Rapids is not only a cost-effective area to live and work, but it also has a lower cost of living than the national average. The sales tax rate is 7%. Vehicle purchase, maintenance, and gasoline prices are all on par with the national average. When compared to other places, the costs of groceries, clothing, drink, and communication are cheaper. Education prices are considerable, from preschool through college. The typical income of a Cedar Rapids local household is $66,227, which is slightly higher than the national average and similar to Midwestern cities. Furthermore, the median property price in the neighborhood is $106,560, making it very easy to find an affordable home. Transportation Cedar Rapids Transit has a large bus and cab system that provides service across the city as well as to the adjacent towns of Marion and Kawartha. From the downtown area, a network of 14 routes services the city. The Eastern Iowa Airport, which is a regional airport with connections to other regional and international airports, is Cedar Rapids' largest airport. Education The Cedar Rapids Community School District operates the public school system in Cedar Rapids, which is one of Iowa's largest school districts, with over 17,263 students enrolled in 24 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, and 4 high schools. In addition, the city is home to several institutions and universities. Cedar Rapids is home to COE College and Mount Mercy College, as well as Kaplan University and Upper Iowa University. The University of Iowa also offers an evening MBA program in the city. Employment Your career must follow you if you relocate. Job markets and prospects fluctuate from city to city, so if you don't already have work lined up, spend some time looking at different job advertising and employment sites to get a sense of the market before relocating. The grain processing industry is the city's main sector, employing over 4,000 people directly and supplying 8,000 other jobs. Cedar Rapids is renowned as one of the world's largest corn processing cities. Rockwell Collins, a Fortune 500 corporation situated in Cedar Rapids, employs about 8,700 employees and is the city's largest employer. Culture Marvin Cone, Grant Wood, Mauricio Lasansky, Malvina Hoffman sculptures, and regionalist art from the 1930s and 1940s are among the pieces on display at the Museum of Art. The Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra presents a four-concert series at the Paramount Theater for the Performing Arts. The Cedar Rapids Opera Theater opened in 1998 and has since staged productions such as Pirates of Penzance and La Traviata. Theater Cedar Rapids is one of the country's top 20 community theaters, with eight productions ranging from musicals to dramas. During July, Cedar Rapids hosts an 11-day Freedom Festival with 75 events for people of all ages. During the spring, the Marion Arts Festival brings together artists from all across the country. Live music, food vendors, and other family-friendly activities will also be available at the event. A 5k run/walk, cross-country skiing, ice skating, and vineyard tours are all part of WinterFest in January. Other ethnic and traditional cuisines can be found in addition to the classic Czech meals such as roast pig, sauerkraut, dumplings, goulash, and cabbage rolls. During the summer months, three farmer's markets provide locally grown fruits, vegetables, flowers, and baked items. Moving to Cedar Rapids? Whatever your motivation for moving to Cedar Rapids is, whether it's for a change of scenery or work, the city will entice you with its allure. If you're seeking to sell or buy a house , let Kari give you a free property evaluation and share her experience of the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids Metro area real estate market to help you find the home of your dreams!