How to Pick a Real Estate Agent
Choosing the right real estate agent is one of the most important decisions that
you’ll make during the home buying or selling process. It’s not something to take
lightly, as you will be teaming up with this person to either help make your
homeowner dreams a reality or sell your home for the best price possible.
Fortunately, it’s not that hard to find an agent who fits the bill. The key is doing your
research. Start by casting a wide net and looking online for agents who have
experience in your area and specialize in properties similar to yours. Then narrow
down your options by asking for referrals and interviewing candidates to assess their
knowledge, work style, and personality.
Once you’ve compiled your list of potential real estate agents, consider their past
transactions and online reviews. If an agent has a low volume of sales, that might be
a red flag, especially if the number of transactions is low relative to their overall real
estate career. You can also check out your state’s real estate regulator website to
see if they have any disciplinary history.
It’s also a good idea to ask for references from previous clients and talk to them
about their experiences with the real estate agent in question. This can be a great
way to see how the agent treats their clients, whether they are buyers or sellers. It’s
also a great way to gauge how much the agent knows about the local market and
housing market trends. Also read https://www.carolinashousebuyers.com/we-buy-houses-berea-south-carolina/
During your interviews, you’ll want to ask the real estate agents some incisive
questions and listen intently to their answers. It’s important to keep in mind that
each agent is trying to sell themselves, so they will likely talk about their most
attractive qualities and highlight their track record of success. However, it’s
important to avoid letting this drive the conversation, as you will be missing out on
an opportunity to learn more about their skills and experience.
The biggest mistake that some sellers make is getting swooned by the wrong
criteria when searching for an agent online. For example, Zillow highlights certain
agents as “premier” and other designations that they pay for, which can make a
seller think that these are the best agents around. However, those same agents may
be inexperienced, unqualified, or downright mismatched for their seller’s needs.
Another big mistake is judging an agent’s personality by how they talk about
themselves online. The internet can be a cruel place, so an agent who goes off on an
over-the-top, self-promoting rant is probably not worth considering.
The right real estate agent will have a strong grasp of the local market, be
experienced in negotiating homes for both buyers and sellers, and work well with
people. By conducting thorough due diligence before choosing an agent, you can be
confident that they’ll have your best interests at heart and help you achieve your
goals.
