Choosing an Agent
You are in the market for a new home, and one of the things that you have to do is find a real estate agent. This is a step that can leave you stumped as there are so many Realtors. In fact, many people end up going with the first one they come across because it is easier than taking the time to choose between them. For many home sellers - they choose someone they know, not necessarily the best person for the job. It is very important to work with the right real estate agent as they are an integral part of buying or selling a home.
Here are some tips to help you chose a real estate agent:
• The first thing that a Realtor is going to ask you is what kind of home you are looking for so take the time to decide. Choose the area where you would like it to be and what style it should be in - are you looking for a Historic home? A townhouse? Condo? Look into things like how long it takes to get from the area you have in mind to your job, the nearest school etc. You should ask the agent what is available for the type of property you are looking to buy. Find out if they have any listings that fit your personal search criteria. Ask if they know of any property that will fit your needs. Ask what areas/communities/subdivisions they would recommend. These questions are really to find out how much the real estate agent knows about the area. A good agent should immediately have a couple ideas of communities or subdivisions that fit your personal preferences.
• Work with a Realtor who is familiar with the area - they know what properties are for sale and they will take a shorter time to find you one. They also should know the lowdown of the properties. A good Realtor will know whether a property nearby has seen sold, if property value increases, or if what the level of demand is in a particular area. Ask about the local real estate market. What is the current DOM (Days on Market) for homes? What is the yearly appreciation? What is the hottest areas? What is driving that increase in property value?
• Ask for references from the agent. Feel free to ask for references from previous clients. Reach out to those previous clients - possibly on social media. Find out if they would use that agent again. When you call find out whether the Realtor was timely in finding them a home, and what their overall experience was.
• Make sure to choose a Realtor who is a good communicator. They should be able to tell you everything there is to know about a property and whether or not it is a good deal for you. A real estate agent who knows how to communicate will also get you the best deal available by negotiating on your behalf. Good realtors also ask you how you would like to be kept in the loop - they will ask you whether you would prefer that they call, text or email.
• Good realtors work with a network of relevant professionals who can help their clients close deals. They have access to real estate lawyers, appraisers, home inspectors, contractors and others so that in case their clients need them they can help out.
• Work with a real estate agent who is willing to do more than just find you a property. Searching for homes for sale can be a complicated process especially if you are doing it for the first time so you should be looking for a Realtor who can walk you through the process right to the end. They should help you with as much of the paperwork as they can.
• Find out how much the realtor will charge you. They should be able to give you a detailed contract upfront. Make sure that there are no hidden costs. In most instances, the agent representing the buyer (you) will not have any costs to you. Their commission is built into the sales price - and ultimately paid for by the seller. Some agents may request a buyer representation agreement - which insures they get paid a minimum commission.
These tips should lead you to a real estate agent who makes buying your new home easy.
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