Are you in the market for a home? If so, one of the most important choices you may make in this entire process is the selection of your real estate agent.
A competent real estate agent helps to not only answer your questions and take you step by step through the process of buying and closing on a home, but they also provide the invaluable service of making sure you are shown the homes on the market that best fit your needs and wants.
Despite the importance of finding a good agent, many buyers end up selecting their agent at random. There are plenty of real estate agents to pick from, and many home buyers go with the first real estate agent they come across without employing any strategy or investigation first.
A better plan is to do some digging first and make sure you look around to find the agent that will be ready and capable of finding the perfect property for you.
Here are some expert tips for finding the right real estate professional for you:
1) Interview your candidates. Trust us, it’s not going to be a huge, time consuming process and it’s worth it to take the time to at least compare the different real estate agents from the agencies you find to see which ones you connect with and have the most confidence in. As you interview the candidates, ask about their education and experience as well as paying attention to their manner and customer service.
2) Take a look at the agents’ experience and sales history. In the real estate business, an agent with a high amount of sales is one that delivers results for their clients. Seek out an agent who has served for years in the area in which you’re looking to buy. In each community you’re bound to find several agents with the most impressive track record; these agents are in demand because they’re successful and knowledgeable.
3) Finding the right personality. As you well know if you’ve ever made an offer on a home, buying and selling real estate is a very emotional process, so you need to work with a professional with whom you’re compatible. Communication is key to getting the results you want, so make sure you and the agent are on the same page and understand each other well. You know it isn’t a good fit if the agent is not meeting all of your needs and your agent is becoming frustrated because you haven’t felt comfortable placing any bids. You need to find a person who evokes a better comfort level for you so that those problems can be avoided.
4) Creativity. Your agent will utilize the Multiple Listing Service, or M.L.S., to find potential homes for you. However, he or she also should demonstrate some resourcefulness through their contacts and knowledge to help find more homes that match your criteria. You could run simple searches from home yourself, you’re looking for a professional who has more skills and knowledge about the industry than you do to help you find your dream home.