One of the most important things to do when buying a home is to find a great real estate agent to keep the process going smoothly and effectively. One question many people ask is how to find a good real estate agent. The best agent may not necessarily work at one of the top ten agencies in the area. The agent that will work best for you will be an experienced agent who listens to your needs, acts professionally and ethically, and knows the market in your area.
1.) Word of mouth or referral
Most real estate professionals attract a significant amount of business from a satisfied customer who recommends them to a friend, family member, or neighbor. When you’re thinking about buying a home, it’s a good idea to ask those around you who they’ve used and ask them to explain their specific experience with the real estate agent in question. Successful real estate agents strive to make customer satisfaction their number one priority and will go to great lengths to facilitate a good customer experience. Try to find an agent who has a proven track record and a reputation for providing quality service, customer satisfaction, and expertise in the neighborhoods you’re looking for.
2.) Do an Online Search for Real Estate Agents
There are many online resources available for real estate agent referrals, but this by no means guarantees quality. Online referred agents may have paid a fee to the website owner to be listed in the directory. Doing a Google search for the best agents in your area and then checking their websites will give you a good list of agents to interview. Agents who have experience in the field will tell you, but a newer agent is more likely to have the extra time to work with you. Review customer testimonials or reviews about an agent you’re interested in retaining.
3.) Visit open houses in the area
You should visit a few area open houses where you can actually meet a potential agent in a non-threatening manner. Here you can see how they work, collect business cards, formulate an opinion and talk to them personally. If you’re thinking of selling a home, pay close attention to how the agent presents the home. Make sure the agent is courteous, informative, approachable, and professional. Does the agent promote the home by providing professional-looking spec sheets or other related materials? Is the agent trying to highlight the features that make the house more attractive? Or is the agent in the corner, with his back turned and not involved in the entire scenario?
4.) Pay attention to real estate signs
Carefully monitor real estate signs in your neighborhood. Notice how long it takes from the day they go up until the house is sold. An agent who has a high sales turnover might be a better choice than an agent who has many for sale signs but few sold signs. An agent who gets results is what you want.
5.) Why Agents Use Print Advertising
There are two main reasons real estate agents use print ads. First is to advertise and sell a specific piece of real estate. Second, advertising is used to promote the agent who makes the transaction. By checking the local Sunday real estate listings in your neighborhood and then checking the agents’ website, you can find agents who may specialize in your particular neighborhood. Contact the agent and ask about their experience and any other related questions you may have.
6.) Seek recommendations from other real estate professionals
Ask around and find other real estate agents for a referral. Most agents are happy to refer a buyer or seller to another associate if the service you need is not a specialty they can provide. Some agents only specialize in resale properties, while others deal efficiently with new home sales. Other agents work exclusively with commercial or investment properties. Mortgage brokers are a great resource for agent referrals; many brokers have first-hand knowledge and can point you in the direction of a high-quality real estate agent and remember that professionals tend to recommend like-minded peers. There is also usually a referral fee involved for the referring professional as well, so be careful that they refer you to the best agent, not the one that pays the highest referral fee.