How to Choose the Right Real Estate Agent
With the market for homes so tight and competition amongst real estate agents at an all-time high, finding a good one can be difficult. You will want someone reliable who has your best interests in mind. But how do you know if they are not just trying to sell themselves or their service? As challenging as buying property might seem now compared with previous years when everyone seemed ready to get into homeownership right away no matter what it took, picking out trustworthy professionals is a must if you hope to get your dream property. Choosing the right real estate agent is one of life’s most important decisions. You are investing in someone who will represent you and guide you every step along this journey, so it pays off to do plenty of research beforehand! Luckily, we have compiled all our top advice into an easy-to read list for you below.
Contact previous clients
The first thing you should do before selecting a real estate agent is to chat with other clients (if possible). You can ask the potential agent for his or her list of what they have sold in the past year and be sure to ask for contact information.
Your friends and family can be a great resource. Ask them if they know any prospective agents in the area or have had experience working with someone highly reputable. Check out the agent’s website, along with what people say online about their work ethic and expertise; also take note of past clients!
What experience does the agent have?
You should find out how long an agent has been in the real estate business and whether they have experience with negotiating skills by simply asking them if they are experienced or not. During the first five years agents are still in a learning curve so consider someone who has more knowledge on negotiation tactics.
In order to protect yourself during these negotiations, make sure that you ask questions such as; “What is your base rate?” This will allow buyers access up front information about any fees associated with making purchase decisions easier, which could save money down the road because there is nothing worse than getting stuck paying higher interest rates after buying a property!
Interview at least three agents
There’s no better way to find out what makes someone tick than by interviewing them! You’ll get a good idea on their preferred communication style and whether they’re available for your needs. When interviewing real estate agents, you want to find someone who is familiar with the area and understands your budget.
A good way of doing this would be by asking them questions about their experiences in different types or neighborhoods so that they can give an accurate portrayal on what it’s like being a homeowner there!
Check out the agent’s listings
Check out the agent’s current listings to determine if they are a good match. You can do this online by accessing their website or other sites and see if past purchases were like the type of home you want – in terms of price range and other important characteristics.
One way to find an agent that knows the area you are considering is by asking about properties that are recently put on sale or sold. If they immediately know what property it was, then there’s a good chance their knowledge extends beyond just this one specific market and into other areas where homes may be available for purchase!
Check if the agent has a valid license
One of the most essential things to look for in a real estate agent is their license status. The real estate agent that you are dealing with must be licensed by the state they’re practicing in. Make sure they are licensed by checking with your state’s regulatory body, which may reveal any complaints against them, or disciplinary actions taken so far.
It’s well worth checking a real estate agent’s credentials. They should have the right training and experience, just like lawyers do! In this example, you can see that the credentials Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) indicates they are 50 years old or older- meaning that they are the perfect agent for people who want to work with someone who is more experienced in this industry.
A Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) is someone who’s taken the extra classes to become an expert in buying and selling residential property.
Agents that are Accredited Buyer’s Representatives (ABR) will have had further education in representing home buyers.
An ABR (Accredited Buyer’s Representative) should be someone who can represent your best interests from start to finish of any transaction – both when negotiating on price and ensuring all paperwork is done correctly.
The agent needs extensive knowledge about various aspects concerning residential real estate law, including contracts needed before purchasing or selling property and relevant jurisdiction laws depending on the state the property is located.
High ethical standards
Some of the most important things to look at when searching for a real estate agent is experience and awards, they might have won or recognition they got from others in the real estate industry. This can indicate that this person is committed to maintaining high ethical standards and has been recognized by other professionals as someone who always goes above-and beyond what is expected!
The Realtor of the Year award has been given to some agents that are trustworthy and respected by other real estate professionals. This means a lot, as it shows how much others look up to the agent’s work when deciding who deserves this prestigious title!
Conclusion: Trust your intuition
Choosing a real estate agent is one of the most significant decisions you will ever make. It’s also an expensive journey, so it makes sense to take some time and do your research before deciding on who should guide this process for you. You may have reservations about certain agents because they don’t meet all criteria or fit with what seems like “the perfect person” but sometimes intuition works as well – and can be just as reliable in selecting someone whose skill set best suits yours!
