The right real estate when buying or selling a home makes a big difference. It’s common for someone searching for or selling a home to find an agent only to switch agents later in the process for one reason or another.
If you’re on the hunt for the right real estate agent for your needs, consider these seven tips.
1. Ask Around
Whether you trust family, friends, your lender, or another professional, ask around for referrals. Some of the best real estate agents are found through referrals from someone in your network. A personal referral from someone you can trust can go a very long way.
2. Interview Multiple Agents
It’s recommended that you meet with multiple agents so that you can see the differences between what each might be able to provide for you. This is even more important if you’re selling your home as each agent may have a different marketing strategy. Make sure to meet with at least three agents before choosing the right one for you.
3. Consider the Agent’s Experience
While experience isn’t always the best deciding factor, it should still be considered. If you’re selling a condo, for example, you want an agent with experience selling condos. Finding an agent with experience in the type of property you plan to buy or sell will make a difference.
4. Take the Person/Chemistry into Consideration
Experience is important, but it’s often better to choose an agent based on the person or the chemistry you have with them. The most experienced agent may not fit with the way you prefer to buy or sell, while a less experienced agent may provide just what you need.
When choosing a real estate agent to buy or sell your home, consider the person, along with their experience. Someone you can relate to with the right negotiating and talking skills will help you buy or sell your home.
5. Choose Someone You Can Trust
When you’re interviewing agents, pay close attention to how they listen and communicate. Make sure you choose someone you can trust to represent you throughout the process.
If you don’t feel like you can trust your agent, it could lead to issues you really don’t want to deal with. It’s best to choose an agent you feel like you can trust and someone you respect.
6. Look for Online Reviews
Just about every good agent will have reviews online you can use to help figure out if they are a good choice for you. When you cannot get a personal referral from someone you can trust, online reviews can quickly become the next best thing.
7. Ask the Right Questions
There are some specific questions you may want to ask and you want to make sure you get the answers you need. When interviewing a real estate agent, consider the following questions:
- How long have you been a real estate agent?
- Do you work alone or as a part of a team?
- How will you market my home? (if selling)
- What’s your specialty?
- Do you typically work with buyers or sellers?
The answers to these questions will help you determine if the agent is the right choice for you. These seven tips will help you navigate the process of choosing the right real estate agent for you. Whether you’re buying or selling a home, choosing the right agent will go a long way to making the process much smoother.