How to Choose A Realtor

Are you thinking of buying or selling a home? Finding the right real estate agent can make all the difference in your transaction, ensuring that you get the best deal that you can. But with over 2 million real estate agents in the United States, choosing a realtor can feel like picking a needle from a haystack.

Look, many people make the mistake of hiring the first real estate agent that they get. But truth is, it’s not just enough to hire a realtor, you must find a good real estate agent that is worth their weight in gold.

The best way to get the right realtor is by asking for referrals from friends, family, colleagues, and local brokerage. The goal is to find someone who shares your vision, is honest about the risks involved, and someone with whom you can communicate and connect naturally.

Narrowing your search involves asking pertinent questions about their experience with the local market and their connections with other real estate professionals. This way, you can get someone who prioritizes your needs so you can get the best price possible.

In this definitive guide, we will be going over steps on how to choose the right realtor for you. In the end, you will know the basic process, important characteristics to look for, and where to find the right realtor for you.

Step 1: Get Referrals from Friends and Family

In a world that is constantly dominated by advertising, slogans, and brands, getting the best fit realtor can be a daunting task. If you just choose blindly, you can easily fall into a pitfall that can cost you time, money, and resources. Getting referrals from your friends and family is a surefire way to get the right real estate.

Ask your circle of connections if they have a trusted realtor with who they have worked before. In so doing, you can get a scoop of potential realtors who have helped a friend, family or coworker close a deal successfully. Tech-savvy buyers and sellers can also look for referrals from your social media connections.

Step 2: Know What You Are Looking For

Without a clear understanding of your specific needs, you can easily fall for anybody who passes as a realtor. Identify some of the key characteristics you’d like in a realtor. You could be looking for someone excellent in communication, a local realtor who is easily available, or an aggressive shark with experience in certain real estate markets.

It is important to understand that the needs of a first-time buyer are unique from those of a repeat homeowner looking for newer prospects. Whatever need is top of your list, you must choose a realtor whose philosophy and goals are similar to yours for a successful relationship.

Step 3: Search for An Area expert

Look for an agent who has sufficient knowledge about your neighborhood, and one who is aware of the typical local offering and selling prices. The best way to find local realtors is to ask for recommendations from a local brokerage or look up agents with the most listings in local real estate publications.

Step 4: Review Credentials

Real estate is a massive industry and different local, state or national markets have their unique development and housing needs and trends. When looking for a realtor, you want one who has the requisite qualifications and experience with the ever-changing market. Their experience and expertise will give you an edge when buying or selling your home.

Your preferred real estate agent should be licensed to practice within the state where your property is located. Some realtors also have a Realtor designation (with capital R), meaning that they are members of the National Association of Realtors. Registered Realtors abide by a strict code of ethics that ensures that are designed to protect your interests throughout the transaction.

Depending on your needs, it’s advisable to go for a realtor with any of the following credentials:

· Realtor: The real estate agent is a member of the National Association of Realtors

· Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR): These are real estate agents with special training in buyer representation in real estate transactions.

· Accredited Seller Representative (ASR): These are realtors with specific training in seller representation in real estate transactions.

· Certified Residential Specialist (CRS): These are top-of-the-line real estate sharks that have a record and history for top performance.

· Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES): These are specialized agents who’ve completed training in helping buyers and sellers over the age of 50 years.

Step 5: Meet With At Least Three Agents

Once you have narrowed your search, it is important to have a face-to-face meeting with your preferred candidates. These in-person meetings help you assess the realtor’s personality, punctuality, and communication skills.

These meetings also give you the chance to compare and contrast the different real estate agents, allowing you to find someone who is a good fit for you. In most cases, many buyers and sellers realize that their front-runner agents are not well-positioned for their specific deals.

Step 6: Ask the right questions

If you’re looking to buy or sell a home, there’s no shortage of representation. For first-time buyers and sellers, the relationship with your real estate agent can lead to a smooth and seamless experience or turn into a complete nightmare. It is therefore important to do all due diligence before settling with one. Asking the right questions is perhaps the best way for you to vet a realtor before you hire them.

Some of the most important questions that can help you identify any red flags early on include:

· How long have you been an agent?

· Can I see your real estate license?

· How many clients are you working with currently?

· How will you communicate with me?

· Can I review documents ahead of time?

· Would you be willing to pass along a list of referrals?

· Do you have a team or are do you work independently?

· What’s Your Average List-Price-To-Sales-Price Ratio?

· What is the market like in this neighborhood?

· What’s your commission fee?

· How will you market my home?

· What’s your specialty?

Step 7: Choose a teacher and not a salesman

There is a fine line between advising and being salesy. You want to go for a teaching-oriented realtor who is interested in educating you instead of a salesman who is hell-bent to push a deal.

Why? Because a realtor who offers advice and education is only interested in seeing you get the best deal and have your best interests at heart. On the other hand, a salesman is more self-centered and is only interested in seeing through a deal that is most favorable to them.

Step 8: Explain your communication Preferences

Before signing up a realtor, it is important to be upfront about your preferred mode of communication that is ideal for your specific situation. Tell the broker if you’d like your communications done through emails, texts, or phone calls.

Whatever your needs, ensure that your preferred agent is comfortable with your mode of communication and that they can provide a status report whenever needed. This way, you can both gel seamlessly.

Step 9: Review Their Contract and Marketing Materials

This is perhaps the most important step when hiring a real estate agent. Unfortunately, many home buyers and sellers tend to not take enough time after interviewing their prospective agents. Yet, the contract and the marketing materials contain all the nuances and fine details of how the real estate agent is going to run your transaction.

You should therefore take time to review all documents carefully before deciding on who to choose. The idea is to ensure that your interests are safeguarded, ensuring that there are no clauses that would tie you up in case of fallout later on.

Important Characteristics To Look For: The Realtor Hiring Checklist

Buying or selling a house can be a long, grueling process. It is therefore important to have a reliable real estate agent by your side to guide you through the sometimes overwhelming, but exciting, process. Here are some traits to look for in a good real estate agent for a truly seamless experience:

· Honesty and integrity

· Proactive

· Problem solver mindset

· Self-motivated

· Knowledge of purchase process

· Understanding of the local housing market

· Responsiveness

· Good communication skills

· Stellar negotiation skills

· Engaging personality

Conclusion

The process of finding the right real estate agent for you can be overwhelming. However, if you do your homework carefully, you can avoid a lot of stress and hassles down the line. Remember: even if the real estate agent is touted as the best in your neighborhood, that really doesn’t count if you do not connect with them at a personal level.

Besides choosing a knowledgeable and experienced professional who can represent your interest and negotiate on your behalf, be sure to go for an agent with who you can communicate effortlessly and whose chemistry and goals gel with yours. Ask the right probing questions and assess whether the agent has well throughout answers. That way, you can have the best realtor in your corner.