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Selecting a Real Estate Agent in Richmond Virginia

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Real Estate Agent with RVA Home Team 0225195925

Selecting a Real Estate Agent in Richmond Virginia

Selecting a Real Estate Agent in Richmond Virginia, Shannon Milligan, Home Sweet Henrico, Keller Williams Realty Richmond West

So you find yourself relocating to Richmond Virginia and don't know where to start in your home search. Well, I can help with that! The very first step to beginning your Richmond home search is selecting a real estate agent in Richmond Virginia. With over 32,000 agents in the State of Virginia and approximately 4,000 active real estate agents in the Richmond area, how do you begin to find THE Richmond Realtor for you? Here are some tips to finding the very best Richmond real estate agent:

1. Ask for referrals from family, friends, and co-workers who have lived in the Richmond area for some time and with whom you value their opinion. These spheres of influence will quickly tell you the good, the bad, and (hopefully not) the ugly experiences they have had and the names of the agents. Gather several names as personalities vary and although Bob may work well with Jane, Bob may not work well with you. Don't have anyone you can ask? Try step 2.

2. Research the local Richmond Association of Realtors website. Here you will find a list of those 4,000 plus active Richmond real estate agents along with their contact information and the name of the company they work for. Browse through the list and select a handful of names you would like to know more about. (May I suggest Shannon Milligan?!)

3. Do your due diligence. No one likes homework, but it is important that you know the background of the person who will be assisting you with one of the biggest investments you may ever make in your lifetime. The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) has a fabulous site where you can look up the licensing information of the names you have gathered. Here you will find any violations the agent may have acquired on their record and evaluate their post licensing or continuing education status.

4. Interview. Now that you are armed with a few names of Richmond real estate agents, call them to set up an in-person or over the phone interview. Ask your potential new Richmond real estate agent some of these important questions:

*Are you a Realtor? Yes, there is a difference between being a real estate agent and a Realtor. Realtors belong to the National Association of Realtors and have made a commitment to be held to a higher standard in the real estate world, mainly subscribing to the Realtor Code of Ethics. These codes are made up of 17 articles that Realtors promise to uphold.

*Are you a full time Realtor? Do you have another job in addition to practicing Richmond real estate? Although there is a very small sample of good part-time real estate agents, I truly believe it is important to select a Realtor in Richmond Virginia whose only career is focused on real estate. A full time Richmond Realtor's sole purpose is to buy and sell real estate and does not treat the profession as a hobby. Remember what I said in tip #3, this is one of the BIGGEST investments you will make. You want a Richmond Realtor whose biggest investment is in their CAREER.

*What areas do you serve? The Richmond Metro area is expansive and an agents chosen "territory" may not be in line with where you would like to focus your search.

*How does the new Virginia Buyer Agency Law play into our relationship? As of July 1st, 2012 all licensed real estate agents in Virginia must enter into a WRITTEN brokerage agreement with buyer clients. For years this was a requirement for sellers and now it is also applies to buyers. This is a GREAT thing as it details our duties to one another and clearly defines our working relationship.

*Why should I select you as my Richmond Realtor? Every person you interview should be able to answer this question with ease. And the answers will vary greatly from person-to-person. One may focus on their people skills. Another may focus on their strong negotiation skills. And yet another may point to their expertise in a certain area. Ideally, you will uncover the agent that wraps these all into one beautiful package!

5. Consider each Realtor's attributes. Did you feel an immediate connection with one of the Richmond Realtor's you interviewed? Was one particularly organized? Was one agent receptive to your questions and thoughtful with their answers? If all potential agents were fairly equal in their answers, then it comes down to your intuition on who you think will make the best partner and advocate for your Richmond real estate journey.

6. Hire your Richmond Realtor. You've done your research and now it is time to select a real estate agent in Richmond Virginia. Contact the Realtor of your choice and let them know you would like them to represent you in your Richmond area home search. But, don't leave the other agents hanging. A polite email thanking them for their time is always appreciated!

What about me? Here are a few things I would like you to know about my Richmond real estate business at Home Sweet Henrico with Keller Williams Realty Richmond West: I am a full-time, full service Richmond Realtor serving many Richmond Metro areas such as Henrico County, Hanover County, Richmond, Goochland County, and Chesterfield County. My Richmond real estate business is built upon the foundation of customer service, education, and communication. I firmly believe our relationship does not end once a transaction is over. I want to be your Richmond Realtor for life and will be there long after you have moved into your new home. If you need a contractor recommendation, I will have one. If you need help with a home warranty issue, I will be there to help you every step of the way and BEYOND!

Want to learn more about me? Please contact me today as I am greatly looking forward to learning more about YOU!

 

Posted by

Shannon Milligan, Associate Broker/Realtor

RVA Home Team

Winning with Integrity

eXp Realty 

6802 Paragon Place #410, Richmond, VA, 23230

804-248-8207 (cell)

www.rvahometeam.com

 

 

 

Comments (5)

Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good information for prospective home buyers.  Selecting an outstanding agent can be the key to a successful transaction.

Jul 24, 2012 04:37 AM
Shannon Milligan, Richmond VA Real Estate Agent/Associate Broker
RVA Home Team - Richmond, VA
RVA Home Team - Winning with Integrity.

Thank you Roy! Hope you are enjoying your day! It was a hot one today in Richmond and a slight storm just blew threw breaking the heat bit!

Jul 24, 2012 07:45 AM
Michelle Gibson
Hansen Real Estate Group Inc. - Wellington, FL
REALTOR

Shannon - The first step to buying a home is hiring a real estate agent, great suggestions.

Jul 24, 2012 12:16 PM
Shannon Milligan, Richmond VA Real Estate Agent/Associate Broker
RVA Home Team - Richmond, VA
RVA Home Team - Winning with Integrity.

Michelle - thank you!

Jul 24, 2012 12:18 PM
Anonymous
Adrian

This is a great article, another thing to keep in mind is to have someone come out and survey the land. We went with http://virginiasurveying.com/ for our needs.. they cover commercial, residential and industrial land survey specialists.

Apr 30, 2015 02:58 AM
#5