Real estate is rife with agents who promise the moon but deliver little. Choosing the wrong one will cause regret, especially with an exclusive agreement that ties you to a particular agent. While these agreements offer security to professional agents who invest time, energy, and capital, they make it more important that you choose the right agent.

Trust your gut instincts. If doubts linger about an agent, don’t hire them. Assess an agent's appearance and behaviour during initial meetings. Are they professional, punctual, and do they make you feel at ease? A strong first impression in the interviewing process is essential.

However, gut instincts are just the beginning. Before hiring an agent, trust must be developed in two different ways.

Affective Trust is based on your gut instinct – your liking of the person, shared values, and belief in their inherent goodness. Essentially, it's about trusting the person on a personal level.

Cognitive Trust involves trusting the competency of the agent. You must believe in the agent's ability to get the job done. Ask them to demonstrate their systems and skills. An ideal agent showcases effective marketing skills and provides evidence of excellent negotiation skills.

Look for reasons to trust an agent on both an Affective and Cognitive level. When you find an agent who instils this trust, hire them. This parallel trust is the foundation for a successful partnership.