Whether you’re buying or selling a home, the right real estate agent can help guide
you through the myriad technical, tactical and financial questions that arise. But how
do you find one?
Ask for recommendations from friends, family and neighbors who have recently
bought or sold a home. Oftentimes, this is the best way to get an accurate picture of
someone’s professional skills and work ethic. Plus, since real estate is local, an agent
who frequently works in your neighborhood may have knowledge of the market that
an out-of-towner simply cannot — such as how quickly homes are selling and
whether or not a given neighborhood favors buyers or sellers. Also read https://www.fastcashhouseoffer.com/we-buy-houses-south-bend-in/
Another good option is to ask for a list of previous clients (and their contact
information) from an agent you’re considering. This will allow you to follow up with
those past clients and determine for yourself how well the agent worked with them.
In addition, you can also visit open houses in your area and observe how the agent
interacts with potential buyers. This is a good opportunity to assess the quality of an
agent’s customer service and to see if you have personal chemistry with them.
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, it’s time to schedule phone or in-person
interviews. This is a great chance for you to ask your prospective agents the tough
questions, like how long they’ve been in the business and what their specialty is. It’s
also an excellent opportunity to gauge their professionalism, which can be
determined by how they answer your questions and their overall demeanor.
The last step is to make sure that the agent you select has a current license and
disciplinary record, which can be done by visiting your state’s real estate
department website. In addition, you can also check out their social media to see
how active they are in the community and their general online presence.
As you interview, make it clear to the agent what your needs and expectations are
for the home-buying or selling process. This will give them a better idea of how to
help you and will ensure that both parties are on the same page. Also, be sure to
establish how you prefer to communicate (email, text, phone call, etc.) and to ask
about their availability. This will prevent any misunderstandings about how to
proceed with the transaction down the line. Using these tips, you’ll be on your way to
finding the perfect real estate agent. Good luck!
