How to be a top agent

This Episode's Free Online Resource for Rental Property Owners

Free Rental Property Expenses Worksheet (xls Spreadsheet)

Enjoy!

What Makes a Great Real Estate Agent?

I asked Joe what makes a top real estate. He thought it was an interesting question, and here is where he landed. Add your ideas in the comments section.

Being a top real estate agent takes more than just knowing the market or signing on the dotted line. It’s a dynamic, client-driven job that requires a combination of specific skills, a polished approach, and a willingness to adapt. Y

You need listening ears and flexible schedules. Here’s what goes into making a truly excellent real estate professional, as discussed in the first episode of our podcast.

Joe shares his perspective on what it takes to Prairie Village, Kansas. He goes into detail about the process and timelines for selling one's home as well other topics related including communication with him or other agents involved during this time period.

 

A Funny Video Joe and I Made

"10 Essential Skills for Real Estate Agents"

 

Listening is Where It All Starts

A great real estate agent knows that their client isn’t just a person—they’re the boss. If it’s helping a seller put their home on the market or guiding a buyer to their dream house, then listening is key. It’s about understanding what the client needs, their goals, and even their quirks.

For buyers, this means asking the right questions during consultations

• How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need?
• What's your budget?
• What's something unique or specific you’re looking for in a home?

The best agents pay attention to all these details. And they ask one more question Joe swears by when working with clients: “What haven’t we talked about yet?” (write that one down).

For sellers, listening means understanding your timeline and the unique details of the home. Only by truly understanding the client’s needs can an agent successfully help them achieve their goals.

 

Flexibility Is a Must

A real estate agent’s clock has no fixed hours. Buyers and sellers often need assistance outside the traditional 9-to-5 window, particularly on evenings and weekends. A top agent embraces this unpredictability, ensuring they’re available when their clients need them most.

For Joe, this wide-open schedule comes with territory that sprawls. Covering the greater Kansas City metro area, or even crisscrossing from Kansas to Missouri, means adapting to wherever a client’s needs may take him.

 

Communication is Everything

Another hallmark of an exceptional real estate agent is effective communication. And that means staying on top of every detail.

Clients don’t live in the real estate world, so they rely on their agent to explain what’s happening at every stage, from listing the house to inspections, and finally, closing the deal.

Joe highlighted the importance of walking clients through the process to eliminate any confusion or surprises. Clear communication also extends to the other parties involved, like lenders, inspectors, and title companies. Keeping open lines of communication ensures everything flows smoothly.

 

Building Rapport Quickly

Buying or selling a home is a big deal, so clients naturally want to work with someone they feel comfortable around. Top real estate agents know how to establish trust and rapport with their clients. It’s not just about transaction details, it’s making sure clients feel heard, respected, and at ease during what can be an overwhelming process.

Joe noted that this skill isn’t automatic, you develop it over time, with experience. Being genuine, personable, and approachable goes a long way in forging strong, professional relationships.

 

The Power of Knowledge and Experience

A great agent doesn’t just know the local market; they know how to make it work for their clients. This includes:

• Know and understand neighborhood trends.
• Pricing homes appropriately for their value.
• Staging techniques to make homes shine online and in person.
• Attention to practical checklists, like ensuring homes are photographed by professionals.

Joe also pointed out how being familiar with processes (like navigating the MLS or understanding comparable sales) helps agents confidently guide their clients. But even someone with experience continually learns and evolves. For example, housing markets shift, and what worked five years ago won’t always apply today.

 

Passion is the Secret Sauce

If there’s one thing that sets a top-tier real estate agent apart, it’s their love for what they do. Passion shows in the effort they bring to the table. If it’s walking alongside clients on their first home-buying adventure or helping sellers maximize the value of their property, then a great agent genuinely enjoys each step of the process.

Joe embodies this passion, thriving on the variety and excitement that comes with working across Kansas City’s sprawling metro area. For him, real estate is never boring.

Wrapping It All Up

What makes a great real estate agent? Listening skills. Flexibility. Communication. Rapport-building. Knowledge. And above all, passion. When an agent commits to these values, their work speaks for itself—and their clients walk away happy.

Are you in the Kansas City area and looking to buy or sell a home? Joe Stephenson is here to help you with professionalism, expertise, and good humor. Reach out and take the first step toward your next big move.

Summary

Joe provides insight into popular housing choices by area residents which may interests you if considering moving there soon!

We go into what it's like in that part of the area and what kind of houses one can expect to find there. Joe also goes into what's popular as a home buyer in that area. 

We then talk about what it takes to be one of the Overland Park KS. There are many factors that go into becoming among the best that include:

• Listening
• Flexibility
• Market Knowledge
• Communication

Joe talks about how each of these factors play a role in his professional career. 

We finally have some time to talk about laptops and why we use the ones we use. We talk about touch screens, Macs, PCs, and break down what we look for in a good laptop to help us do our work. 

It's the first episode of the Kansas City Real Estate Podcast! We hope you enjoy. 

KS Realty Agents Website