8 TIPS TO CHOOSING A REALTOR
It seems so simple – selling or buying a house. You find the one you want, you negotiate a price, sign the paperwork and move in. Yes? Uh – no. Real estate is complex, trust us, we know. Don’t worry. We are here to help guide you through the process. Whether you select Nathan Fitts & Team or select another Real Estate professional it’s important to take the time, get your thoughts together, consider buyer or seller representatives, and come up with a plan, which usually starts with selecting a real estate agent. Steps to that decision might include any or all of the following:
1. DON'T JUST HIRE A FRIEND OR RELATIVE
Be careful when you enter into a real estate business relationship. A.) There are so many twists and turns in the process of buying or selling; it can be an emotional ride. The demands of a sale or purchase may require a little distance. B.) Choosing a real estate agent to represent you should be like choosing your doctor. Would you choose to have heart surgery performed by a surgeon just because they’re a friend of the family or your kid plays on the team with theirs? Hopefully you would choose an experienced and skilled surgeon with the highest success rate and best reputation in the industry. You should hold the standards just as high for your Realtor, the one who is representing one of the biggest investments in life. You should choose an agent who can navigate you through all the key things, as well as offer the ultimate marketing exposure and resources.
2. THAT SAID, CONSULT FRIENDS AND FAMILY
Those close to you won’t mind sharing war stories about houses they’ve bought or sold. They’ll name names and tell tales, and they will be truthful and encouraging – or discouraging – about realtors with whom they’ve worked. There’s no incentive for them to be deceptive – you are, after all, friends and family.
3. IT'S A VERY LOCAL BUSINESS
The national market for real estate has little or nothing to do with the sale-ability of your home or what you might pay for a house. If you’re a seller, ask how the agent will market your home, who the target buyer is – and get specific – and ask how they will get your home in front of those preferred buyers. Get listing presentations from at least three agents, who will tell you what comparable homes – in your region, your town, or your neighborhood -- have sold for and how long they take to sell.
4. DON'T GO PART-TIME
Whether you’re a buyer or seller, you want to choose an agent who is actively following the market every day. Working with someone who’s selling real estate on the side is rarely a good idea. If you’re buying, you want an agent who can jump on new listings and show them to you immediately. If you’re the seller, you want an agent who is always available to show your home to prospective buyers.
5. PICK A GOOD NEGOTIATOR
You’re going to have to deal with the fine art of negotiation at some point. It’s good to find a real estate agent who’s practiced, poised and persnickety about the business of negotiation. Shyness and mousiness is not a virtue when it comes time to hold the line, or push for a price.
6. CHOOSE EXPERIENCE
Who you work with matters now, more than ever, in this tighter and transitional market we’re experiencing. Selling a property takes more than putting a sign on the property and listing it in the multiple listing service. It’s not just having good luck or being in the right place at the right time. Having the knowledge, resources, and experience is priceless and the key to selling. Do your research.
7. CREDENTIALS, AWARDS & CERTIFICATIONS
Do your homework and verify your Realtor's credentials, awards & certifications.
8. TALK WITH RECENT CLIENTS
Satisfied customers mean a lot, and don’t stop with just testimonials posted to the realtor’s website. The realtor will show you what they want you to see. Instead, ask for, and follow up with, past customers of the Realtor – and be willing to spend the time to do the research. How did the process work, what did the house list for, and what it sell for – and was the experience smooth or painful? Would you hire the realtor again? It’s like checking references for a job applicant.
Real estate is a well-worn business that’s been through a lot of turmoil in recent years – those who have endured the ups and downs deserve your consideration. They may be battle weary or they may be war heroes. It’s up to you to determine the difference, but ultimately it will be well worth your effort in the end.
THE LEADING NAME IN REAL ESTATE
Nathan Fitts & Team couldn't be more proud to live in the most beautiful part of the country. We are a boutique real estate agency located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia. We specialize in helping clients buy and sell luxury homes, mountain property, log cabins, mountain view cabins, modern rustic and contemporary retreats, craftsman style homes, waterfront properties (including lake front, river front, and creek front), as well as mini farms and acreage. Our territory in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia includes highly sought after lakes and rivers such as Lake Blue Ridge, Lake Chatuge, and Lake Nottely, as well as The Toccoa River and more. We proudly serve Blue Ridge, Blairsville, Cherry Log, Ellijay, Epworth, Hiawassee, Jasper, Mineral Bluff, Morganton, McCaysville, Suches, and more, and we even have agents to serve you in North Carolina and Tennessee. If you're searching for a Realtor in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia, North Carolina or Tennessee, look no further. Nathan Fitts & Team would love the opportunity to put our experience and enthusiasm for real estate to work for you and show you why we're the leading name in real estate. Give us a call today to 877-BUY-MTNS or 706-632-3000
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