Gordon JamesChoosing a Realtor to guide you through the buying process is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when buying a home.
Not only will you be paying them, but they’ll also be your point of contact throughout the process.
Best real estate agents are responsible for everything from negotiating prices with sellers, collecting mortgage information, and completing paperwork to ensuring that all inspections go smoothly.
This guide will help you find the ideal Realtor for your needs by:
How Long Have They Been in Business?
If a real estate agent has been in business for a long time, this is a good sign that they know what they are doing.
The longer an agent has been in business, the less likely they will make any major mistakes with your transaction.
Location
A great real estate agent will be able to help you find the right house at the right price — even if that means driving farther than you might like.
Ask about the agent’s local area, and don’t hire an agent who doesn’t know where all your favourite shopping spots are (or even where you live).
Is the agent licensed? This is important because it indicates that the agency follows all state licensing regulations and may be subject to inspections by state authorities.
It also means the agency staff meets certain requirements related to education and experience — which can help avoid employee turnover that can affect a real estate agency.
Reputation
Look for reviews on sites like Yelp and Angie’s List and check the Agent Commission Calculator on Realtor.com to see how much the agent earns and how many points she earns on a transaction.
The Charges
Hiring an agent with a large commission (or no commission) will increase the risk of any future deal not closing because both parties may be focused on making money rather than working together to close the sale.
Also, look at how much time is spent negotiating fees versus work done on the home sale or purchase.
Conclusion
The best way to hire a real estate agent with the highest likelihood of achieving the right results is to ask around, do research, and check referrals.
Word of mouth holds the most weight in this situation, making personal recommendations the safest bet.
Also, take a good look at the agent’s career history, as well as their sales numbers.
If they seem to be motivated by results and only want to work with homes that they are confident can sell quickly, you can bet that they will go out of their way to get your house sold quickly.
Ultimately, a reliable real estate agent will also have the experience needed to spot potential problems earlier so that it doesn’t become a more significant issue later on during the sale process.
Gordon James
