Buying a home is a huge investment and a significant milestone in any phase of your life. It's only natural, then, that you should pick the best possible real estate agent for you. Sexy websites and flashy billboards do not necessarily guarantee the right choice. Every home buyer has unique needs, including you. Perhaps you are buying out of state, or are a first-time buyer, need help selling your current home, or have credit issues. Likewise, every real estate agent is uniquely suited to certain clients and certain market areas.
Once you have found your fit, stay loyal to your agent and she or he will jump through hoops to find you your perfect home! 
Consider the Following advice to help you find the best fit for you:
1. Interview Several Professionals:
An estimated 80 percent of home buyers stay with the 1st agent they speak to whether they are happy or not. Don’t jump at the first agent you meet without speaking to a couple other agents. I wouldn’t suggest talking to every single real estate agent in the area either. Do speak with at least two or three to find someone you can work with WELL and has the experience you NEED. Most agents will respect your process of interview and make time to meet with you.
2. Ask your Friends, Co-Workers and Family:
Close friends and family know you very well, and they may know your needs and tendencies, and have your best interests in mind. A referral from a friend or family member is a referral you can typically trust. ** Make sure the agents KNOWS the market area you are looking in!! If they need a map to get to the community you’re looking in, they might be the wrong choice!!!
3. Market Area & Experience Many agents are a "jack of all trades trades”. Depending on your situation, consider an agent that has a niche or a concentration in a certain area that you are looking. Think about this theory when choosing any professional. Why should it be any different with a real estate agent? Also ask about time in position as a full time professional. Your agent should have transactions under their belt or a mentor that does and will closely work with them. We learn by experience and with any trade, the book work is NOT enough. Can’t stress enough; choose an agent that knows the area you are looking in! If they pull out the Rand McNally street map for every home, you might want to reconsider.
4. Personality a plus:
Not critical but definitely a bonus. Even though you are working with a professional, buying a house can be an intensely emotional experience. You'll want to pick a real estate agent whose personality works well with yours... liking them might even make the process much more of a positive experience. But at the end of the day,a balance of like and respect will get the job done! Buying a house typically takes from 2 to 12 months, you and your agent will be spending a loooooot of time together J If you “click”, you will not get as frustrated and won't rush the process to end in disaster or buyers remorse.
5. Search Style:
Find out how your agent searches for homes during the initial interview. Some agents have their own preferred listings, which is fine to a point. Ultimately, though, you want an agent who will find the best possible home for you, not the most convenient sale for himself. Make sure they are willing to look at every Brokers listing, using the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) in addition to their private network.
Past performance is typically an indication of future performance. Sherrie & Chris have an extremely high referral rate. What this means to you is, past satisfied clients are referring their friends, relatives and co-workers to the team to help them find a home. Would you refer someone if you were not happy with the service? Consider Sherrie and Chris as one of your Real Estate agents that you interview in the Knox County - Apple Valley Lake area!
Email: applevalleylake@gmail.com
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