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Most of us will decide to move at some point in our lives, and that might include buying a house. But what’s the first step? When is the right time to sell?
All of these questions and more can be answered easily by a real estate agent. But before you go hiring, consider these five things to look for in an agent.
How experienced is your Real Estate agent?
Considering this is your new home we are talking about, it should be a given that your agent is experienced. Not only do experienced agents provide more assurance for the client (you), but they can also point you in the right direction when looking for houses. If you ask for a specific feature in a house, an experienced agent may be able to tell you the advantages and disadvantages of such a feature. Consult references from friends and families, businesses that employ real estate agents, or a broker to find an experienced agent.
How many other clients are they working with?
While it would be nice to imagine that you are the only client of your agent, this is usually not the case. Real estate agents can get busy in their job just like any other profession, so be sure to hire an agent that will give your situation adequate attention. This doesn’t mean you have to scope out an agent that only has you as a client; in fact, no clients would be a telltale sign for someone without experience or references.
Do they have references?
Once you have zeroed in on a couple of real estate agents, request references from other businesses or the business they work for, and especially from other clients. Look for professionalism and satisfaction in such references. You could also look up properties that they have previously worked on to add to your research. If one agent sticks out to you in particular, then you are that much closer to finding your dream home.
Do they have knowledge of the area and what you’re looking for?
Agents are expensive, however helpful. Before hiring, think about conducting a phone interview with the agent. Ask about the areas they specialize in and the houses they know a lot about. If you hire an agent that specializes in a different county, you’re bound not to get as thorough results as you would hiring an agent that knows the neighborhoods and the real estate in the area like the back of their hand.
Do they have all the legal requirements?
All things considering, it is not hard to become a real estate agent. Make sure the agent you are looking at has all of the right credentials for your state and your county. A quick internet search will yield the proper documents a real estate agent should have. If you are suspicious in any way, feel free to ask your agent about their education and credentials.
Finding the perfect house is an exciting chapter in your life, so allow yourself to ease some of the stress by hiring a real estate agent. But whether you hire through word of mouth or through a business, consider these five things before committing yourself to an agent.
