Finding a good real estate agent is one of the most important things you can do
when buying or selling a home. The right agent can make the process much
smoother and less stressful. However, many people find it difficult to know how to
pick a real estate agent, which can often delay the homebuying or selling process.
This article will discuss some of the key factors to look for in an agent, and how to
choose a real estate agent that is the best fit for you.
Most real estate agents have some experience in the market, so it’s important to
find out how long they have been working in the industry and how many homes
they’ve sold in the past year. It’s also helpful to look for any awards or designations
they may have earned. These can be a sign of knowledge, expertise and
professionalism.
Another factor to consider is an agent’s marketing skills. Find out what their typical
marketing strategy is for a home sale and see how it matches your own needs. For
example, if you’re selling a condo and need to be able to attract buyers within a
certain time frame to avoid capital gains taxes, it’s crucial that your agent has
experience and understands how to market a property for the maximum amount in
the least amount of time.
It’s a good idea to meet with several real estate agents when searching for the
perfect person for the job. This will give you a chance to compare their skills and
experience, as well as how they work with clients. It’s a great idea to bring a list of
your “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves” in order to help the agent narrow down
listings that are most relevant to your goals. Also read https://www.dignityproperties.com/
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of potential agents, it’s a good idea to check
out their online reviews. Use sites like Zillow and Redfin to look at third-party reviews
on how the agent works with clients, their connections and more. Be sure to read the
reviews carefully and take into consideration any negative or neutral comments.
If you’re buying a home, it’s also a good idea to get preapproved for a mortgage
before you start looking. This will let your agent know that you are serious about the
purchase and shows that you have the ability to afford a property. In addition, some
real estate agents will not show properties to buyers without a mortgage
preapproval letter in place.
Ask friends, family members and coworkers for recommendations when choosing a
real estate agent. Many people find their ideal agent through a personal referral
from someone they trust, which increases the likelihood that the agent will deliver
on what they promise. You can also search for vetted agents on Zillow’s Agent
Finder tool to compare reviews, number of sales and more. And don’t forget to drive
or walk around your neighborhood and look for repeat agents’ names on for-sale
signs.
