When beginning your home search online, you first want to know where the houses are, what the prices are, and can you see some photos. This falls in line with the whole purpose of the internet, to be a source of information. You may even sign up to receive email listings from a couple of real estate websites. You'll continue to receive emails until you are ready to contact an agent.
While you're about to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars you should continue to use the internet to help you find a knowledgeable agent, with experience, a solid educational background, and feedback or testimonials from their past clients.
- Buyer should first look for an agent who is an Accredited Buyer Representative. This ABR designation is proof that your agent has worked successfully with buyers in the past, and is familiar with how to best represent the buyer side of the transaction.
- Second, look for an agent who is a Certified Residential Specialist. This CRS designation proves that your agent has both the sales and educational experience to handle negotiations, and can represent you on a professional level. CRS agents are usually in the business for the long-term. This means that your agent is serious about staying in the real estate business, and is better equipped to help you make decisions about your long-term goals, not just encouraging you to make a snappy decision today to close the deal.
- Third, look for an agent who is a Graduate, of the Realtors Institute. This GRI designation is local, and portrays an agent who is committed to the details of the transaction. The GRI education path teaches your agent about all of the different parts of the real estate transaction. An agent who has this designation is more likely to inform you of contingencies that are beneficial to you, and will not let contractual deadlines expire without an expected action taking place.
- Finally, make sure your agent is a Certified Internet Professional or e-Pro! This agent is likely to understand the high-tech gobbly-gook that savvy internet consumers use. It's ok to use email, text messages, electronic signatures, YouTube, podcasts, videos. This agent will likely have many folders of bookmarked websites and pages of articles and resources that will prove beneficial to you. This agent will likely become your BFF when it comes to effective communication!
When working with a client who is moving out of town, these are the qualification that I look for when selecting an agent.
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