1. Qualifications and accreditations
- Business Licence and Practising Qualifications: Ensure that the agency has a valid business licence issued by the local government, which is the basic proof of its legal operation. At the same time, check whether its practitioners hold the appropriate qualification certificates, for example, in some countries and regions, real estate agents need to obtain the relevant qualifications through specific examinations and training in order to legally engage in real estate agency services.
- Professional accreditations: Quality real estate agents are usually accredited by local real estate industry associations or other professional organisations. These accreditations signify that the intermediary has the appropriate professional competence and service level, follows industry norms and standards, and is able to provide reliable services to clients. For example, real estate agency associations in certain countries conduct strict audits and regulation of their members, and only agencies that meet certain criteria are allowed to join.
- Credit rating and reputation: Check the agency's credit rating report to understand its financial status and credit history. This information can be obtained through professional credit rating agencies or relevant financial information platforms. It is also possible to search online for reviews and reputation of the intermediary company to find out the experience and feedback of other clients. If the intermediary company has a large number of negative reviews or complaints, then it needs to be chosen with caution.
2. Professional competence
- Degree of local market understanding: A reliable real estate agent should have an in-depth understanding of the local property market, including the trend of house prices, supply and demand, investment hotspots, and the development plans of different regions. They are able to provide accurate market analyses and professional advice based on customers' needs and budgets to help them make informed home-buying decisions. For example, intermediaries should be able to clearly introduce the characteristics, advantages and potential risks of properties in different local areas, as well as the impact of future development trends on property values.
- Mastery of property information: The intermediary should have a rich database of property information and be able to provide clients with a diverse selection of properties. This listing information should be true, accurate, complete and up-to-date. The intermediary needs to have a detailed understanding of the basic conditions of each listing, such as the size of the house, the type of house, the decoration, the surrounding facilities, etc., in order to be able to accurately introduce them to the client. At the same time, the agent should also be able to quickly filter out eligible properties according to the specific needs of the client.
- Familiarity with the transaction process: The process of overseas property transactions may vary from country to country and from region to region, involving the signing of contracts, transfer of property rights, payment of taxes and fees, and so on. Reliable agents should be able to master the local real estate transaction process and provide clients with full consultation and assistance. They will be able to help clients prepare the relevant documents and information, and co-ordinate the work of all parties to ensure a smooth transaction. For example, in some countries, property transactions need to be reviewed and witnessed by lawyers, and intermediaries should be able to work with a team of professional lawyers to provide legal support to clients.
3. Service quality aspects
- Communication skills: Good communication is one of the most important factors in choosing a property agent. Intermediaries should be able to listen carefully to clients‘ needs and concerns, answer clients’ questions promptly and accurately, and be able to explain complex information related to property transactions to clients in plain language. During the communication process, customers can feel the professionalism and service attitude of the agents and judge whether they are trustworthy or not.
- Post-sale tracking services: Quality agents not only provide services during the property purchase process, but also provide post-sale tracking services. For example, assisting clients with issues such as lease management, repair and maintenance to ensure that their property is well maintained and managed. The intermediary should have a specialised after-sales team or personnel that can respond to clients' needs in a timely manner and provide long-term support and assistance to clients.
4. In terms of company size and stability
- Company size: Generally speaking, larger estate agencies usually have richer resources and greater strength. They may have more branches and professional staff, and are able to provide a wider service network and better quality services to their clients. At the same time, large agencies also have stronger bargaining power in co-operating with developers, banks and other related organisations, and are able to secure better terms for their clients.
- Stability of operation: Understand the operating history and financial status of the agency to determine whether it has long-term stability of operation. You can check the company's establishment time, past performance records, financial statements and other information. If the agency is not stable in its operation, it may have various problems in the process of purchasing a property, even affecting the rights and interests of the clients.
