When choosing a real estate agent or realtor, what types of personalities should you look for? A realtor might have several years of experience, but that doesn’t mean a great personality will follow or that his or her personality will work well with you.

If you are selling your home you will be depending on the realtor to get the job done quickly and smoothly. This process can take several months or longer and can be stressful. How you get along with your realtor is very important. If your personalities clash you might end up with a deal gone sour.

If you are looking to purchase a home, hunting for houses, making offers, and obtaining financing can be time consuming and hectic. You will want someone who you trust to be patient and listen to your needs.

Most successful agents practice sales as a four-step process:

1) Clearly identifying client (your) needs and interests

2) Identifying a range of possibilities to satisfy those needs

3) Determining the possibility that best fits your needs

4) Closing the deal.

Whether you are buying or selling you might recognize this process as a basic problem solving model. Most realtors have a natural degree of interest and therefore higher involvement at different steps in the process. Regardless of their personality type, realtors should perform this process with a positive and outgoing attitude to make the process fun.

Just like people, realtors come in all types or personalities. They have varied interests, perspectives, and styles. Knowing how to identify each realtor’s unique characteristics or personalities can help you quickly establish effective communication, an essential element of the sales process.

Don’t Overlook the Introvert
While many people believe an extrovert makes a good real estate agent or salesperson, often the opposite can be true. While the extrovert might be fun and outgoing, they are often motivated by the social aspects of the job. On the other hand an introverted agent is often most interested in getting the job accomplished.

Your Personality Type
You will need to pay more attention to adjusting your style when your realtor has an opposite preference. If you are extremely extroverted, you may tend not to elicit important information gained through listening to a realtor who is more introverted. You might make inaccurate assumptions about the realtor’s preference in helping you.

Highly extroverted personality types frequently make the assumption that their introverted counterparts do not know their own interests simply because they are not quick to communicate them. Extroverted types can easily violate both the time and space of their introverted realtors. The best tool for working effectively with a highly introverted realtor is a good set of questions complimented by good listening skills and a willingness to invest a little more time in building an effective relationship.

Real estate agents are trained professionals and no matter what type of personalities they have should always behave in a professional manner. The point to this information is to know the personality of your realtor so you can have fun and effective communication together and get the job done!

Oliver Wingrove is a real estate investor based in Texas. He is a former estate agent and writes widely about issues related to real estate and finance. His current interests currently span both the US and UK market especially the sell and rent back market and how it applies to the downturn in the real estate market.