Whether you are selling your home or you are investing in a new home, having a top-notch realtor can make a huge difference. Finding a realtor who can answer any of your queries about buying and selling property is key to getting a good deal.
Buying a new home is one of the biggest things you will ever have to do in your life, so having someone who knows what they are doing helps. Selling your home is not an easy process, so having a licensed property manager who knows the ins and outs of the property market, especially the current market in your area is vital. To help you find a realtor that suits you, we have combined these useful steps.
Speak with People in your Area who have Recently Bought or Sold a House
Doing a little market research can prove beneficial. Asking friends, family members, or neighbors who have recently worked with a realtor about their experiences can help. They are likely to give an honest opinion on how their dealings with their property sales agent went. This will give you a good indication of what to expect from a certain realtor. If the process went smoothly, they are likely to recommend a realtor.
You might also consider asking professionals in the industry for advice too. People like bank loan officers and brokers will have plenty of contacts that might be able to help you. It’s in the mortgage brokers’ best interest that you get a good deal, so don’t hesitate to ask them for a recommendation.
Attend Open Houses in Your Area
One of the best ways of finding a good realtor is by visiting open houses in your area. Not only will you get a chance to see a house for sale in your neighborhood, but you will also get to watch a realtor selling a home. In an open house, you can collect business cards and information from the agents you meet. You can take notes on how the agent goes about selling a home. A good realtor will have good social skills, lots of useful information and they must be polite to potential buyers and sellers.
The agent must make sure that they speak with every potential buyer in the open house. They should be working hard, giving tours, and asking if people need help. There is no point in hiring an agent that ignores potential buyers.
Research Online
Nowadays, you don’t physically have to go to an agent’s office nor drive around a neighborhood looking for “For Sale” signs to see what properties are for sale on the market. Instead, websites are listing different houses available. This is a fast and easy way to see which agents are selling most of the homes in your area.
A lot of agents leave houses that they have already sold on the web, however, they put a “sale agreed” or “sold” sign on the property. Instead of looking for realtors who have a long list of unsold properties, finding a realtor that only has a select few with a lot of houses sold might be your best option. Some agents take on so much work they are unable to give their clients their full attention. You will want an agent that will make time to speak with you about any issues you may have. Hiring an agent that is snowed under with the amount of work they already have is never a good idea.
Online, you might be able to search for the best real estate agents in your neighborhood. You will be able to check out the agent’s profile, and where their offices are located. Hiring someone with a lot of experience can help, however, don’t rule out a new agent either. New realtors are often excited, and they will be able to focus on selling your home. A lot of people like to post reviews and leave comments about their experiences with agents on the internet.
Social media platforms like Facebook and Linkedin can also provide you with a wealth of information about different realtors and properties available.
Consider using an Agent you have Worked with Previously
If you have bought or sold property from a real estate agent in the past, consider speaking to them. There are plenty of advantages of using the same realtor such as:
- If you are selling the same home that they helped sell to you in the past, they will be familiar with the property.
- Since they sold that house to you, they might have a list of potential buyers already.
- You will know whether or not to trust them, you will know their work ethic and their professionalism.
- Because you are a repeat customer, they might lower their fee.
However, just because you go back to the same realtor doesn’t necessarily mean you have to hire them. Explain to them that you are in the market for a new realtor and ask what they can bring to the table.
