When it comes to choosing who to hire as your Realtor® when buying in Kelowna, British Columbia, or anywhere in the Okanagan, there are 7 essential considerations to look for.

Experience:

You want to choose a Realtor® who has a proven track record of success in the Kelowna market. You want to make sure they have at least 5+ years of experience, have a proven track record of success in the Kelowna real estate market, and display confidence in their ability to navigate you through whatever economic conditions currently at play in the market.

Local knowledge:

Kelowna, British Columbia is a growing and expansive market.  It changes daily with new opportunities and things to consider. So, you want to choose a Reator® who is familiar with the neighborhoods and communities in Kelowna and has a strong and up-to-date understanding of the Kelowna and surrounding area real estate market.

Professionalism:

Of course, you want to make sure your real estate agent is fully licensed by the Canadian Real Estate Association, the British Columbia Real Estate Association, and the Interior Realtors Association. In addition, the Realtor® should behave as you would expect a professional to behave.  That means they should display strong communication skills, behave ethically at all times, maintain and protect your confidentiality, and treat you and your welfare as more important they their own.

Reviews and testimonials:

Another great method to help you choose is to look at the Agent's online reviews. Don't be fooled by the number of reviews someone has; some of the very best Realtor® in Kelowna, Vernon, and Peachland have very few reviews. Instead, read what the reviewers say.  Look for honesty and truth.  Also, asking friends and family for referrals is always a good idea.  But, it's important you make your own decision.  You have to trust the person.  Also, you can look out for any testimonials on their website.

Marketing and negotiation skills:

An effective Realtor® in Kelowna will have a proven system for marketing your property effectively. As well, they should be able to negotiate (communicate) in a way that ensures the best possible price for you (whether you're buying or selling).

Communication and availability:

If you've noticed, communication has occurred through this post repeatedly. That's so because communication is so vitally important during the process of buying and/or selling your home. So ensure the Realtor® you're considering is both easy to communicate with, doesn't bully you or make you feel pressured, and is available to answer your questions quickly and readily. Good communication makes for a brilliant purchase and sale process.  One of my strongest points is both my speedy communication with all my clients and my ready availability. 

Lastly:

You should look at a Realtor's online presence.  How is their Instagram? How about the blogs they write? What about the photos and ideas they post?  You can learn a lot about a person through their social media. In Kelowna, many Realtor's have Instagram accounts.  Check them out.  Especially, check out mine.

Buying or selling a home in the Okanagan, whether it's Kelowna, Vernon, Lake Country, or Peachland is a challenging process.  You want to make sure you select the best when it comes to representing your interests.  These 7 essential considerations will help you determine who will work best with you.