The Top 5 Traits of a Great Realtor (And Why You Shouldn't Settle for Less)

by Tricia Farin

Choosing a Realtor isn't like choosing a pizza topping. One bad decision won't just ruin dinner—it could cost you thousands of dollars, weeks of stress, and leave you wondering why you ever trusted your biggest financial investment to someone whose biggest accomplishment was posting "Just Listed!" graphics on Facebook.

Let's be honest: there are a lot of Realtors.

Some are fantastic.

Some...well...they own a lockbox.

If you're hiring someone to negotiate one of the largest transactions of your life, here's what actually matters.

1. A Great Realtor is a Marketing Machine

Putting your home in the MLS isn't marketing.

It's the bare minimum.

Today's buyers expect cinematic video, professional photography, drone footage, targeted digital advertising, social media campaigns, email marketing, and search engine visibility. If your Realtor's marketing plan consists of sticking a sign in the yard and hoping for the best, they're selling homes like it's 2004.

Why I Do It Differently

Before real estate, I owned a marketing company for more than 20 years. Marketing isn't something I learned after getting my real estate license—it's what I've done professionally for decades.

Every listing deserves:

Professional photography
Cinematic video
Drone imagery
Professional staging guidance
Custom property websites
Social media campaigns
AI-enhanced marketing
Targeted online advertising

I don't "list" homes.

I launch them.

2. A Great Realtor Negotiates Like It's Their Own Money

Anyone can unlock a door.

Negotiation is where the money is made—or lost.

The best Realtors know:

when to push,
when to stay silent,
when to counter,
when to walk away,
and when the other side is bluffing.

A few sentences in a contract can mean thousands of dollars.

My Philosophy

I negotiate every deal as if I were buying or selling my own home.

I'm not interested in simply getting to the closing table.

I'm interested in getting there on the best possible terms for my clients.

3. A Great Realtor Actually Communicates

You shouldn't have to wonder if your Realtor is alive.

One of the biggest complaints homeowners have is:

"I never heard from my agent."

That shouldn't happen.

Ever.

Selling a home is stressful enough without playing detective trying to figure out what's happening.

What My Clients Get

Communication isn't optional.

It's part of the service.

My sellers receive consistent updates about:

Showing activity
Buyer feedback
Market changes
Marketing performance
Recommended adjustments
Contract milestones

No guessing.

No ghosting.

No disappearing until it's time to collect a commission check.

4. A Great Realtor Never Stops Learning

The market changes constantly.

Interest rates change.

Technology changes.

Marketing changes.

Contracts change.

Consumer behavior changes.

The Realtor who sold homes successfully ten years ago—but hasn't learned anything since—is already behind.

Why That Matters

I'm continually investing in education, certifications, technology, AI tools, and marketing strategies because staying ahead benefits my clients.

Some of my professional credentials include:

Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR)
Certified Home Stager
Certified Mobile Real Estate Photographer

I also embrace cutting-edge technology to market homes in ways that simply weren't possible a few years ago.

Because buyers have changed.

Marketing should too.

5. A Great Realtor Puts Clients Before Ego

Here's a little industry secret.

Sometimes the best advice costs a Realtor money.

There are times I'll tell a seller to wait before listing.

Or advise a buyer to walk away from a house.

Or recommend reducing a price instead of chasing the market down.

Why?

Because my job isn't to make a quick sale.

It's to help clients make smart decisions.

Sometimes the right answer isn't the easy answer.

Bonus Trait: They Actually Care

This one can't be taught.

You either care—or you don't.

Real estate isn't just contracts and commission checks.

It's families starting over.

Retirees downsizing.

Couples buying their first home.

Parents selling the house where they raised their children.

These are emotional moments.

People deserve an agent who understands that.

Why I Love What I Do

I genuinely enjoy helping people navigate one of life's biggest transitions.

Whether you're buying your first condo, selling your forever home, relocating across the country, or investing in real estate, I want you to feel informed, confident, and protected every step of the way.

Yes, I take my business seriously.

I also never forget that this is your story, not mine.