Buying a home is an exciting time – this is the place where you’ll start the next chapter of your life. Whether alone or with a loved one, it could mean the start of a family, the beginning of the next adventure, and more. However, the experience is greatly affected by your choice of real estate agent. While the right estate agent will make the process smooth and straightforward, the wrong agent could cause all sorts of headaches. So, how do you get this decision right?
Talk to Friends and Family
If you have no idea where to start, talk to friends and family members because most people have bought a house at one time or another. They may recommend their own real estate agent or know somebody in the profession. As well as asking friends and family, don’t be afraid to ask colleagues and others.
Of course, we would never recommend choosing a real estate agent based on recommendation alone, but it’s a good starting point.
Check Online Reviews
After listing a few names, look online. These days, the internet is a beautiful resource in gauging the quality and reputation of businesses. As well as Google reviews, look at Facebook reviews and see what people are saying about the real estate agent online. If customers have a good or bad experience, the first place they go to share this experience usually is online, so take advantage of this.
Contact a Shortlist of Agents
For many people looking to buy a home, one of the most common mistakes is only contacting one. Instead, speak with a handful of services and have conversations with them. Don’t be blinded by experience and portfolios because you need to get on with the person just as much as everything else. Often, experts advise buyers/sellers to choose the person rather than the experience, with that being said, you should do your due diligence. Compare real estates with Local Agent Finder.
Do you have good chemistry with the agent? Are they approachable? Do you feel as though you can call with a question? Do they have your best interests at heart? Do you trust them? Home purchasing is a business revolving around people, so choose somebody you trust to find your forever home.
Write a List of Important Qualities
Rather than thinking about other people, write down a list of qualities important to YOU. Do you admire a real estate agent with passion, honesty, eagerness, support, or something else entirely? If a real estate agent is personable, you’re more likely to have a positive experience.
Test Procedures
The last thing you want is to choose a real estate agent only to find that it’s almost impossible to reach them – you phone and phone but the line just rings (and they never get back to you!). When contacting the shortlist, test different contact methods and see which agent is best at answering and/or returning your calls. If the agent doesn’t monitor their phone or emails, you’ll soon have a frustrating experience.
When choosing a real estate agent, you should feel as though you have support at all times.
Check the Basics
As well as everything mentioned, you should also check the basics like how the agent operates, how the purchase works, how much they charge, and how they mitigate risk. For most people, they know when they find the right agent because they feel supported, the agent is honest and prepares for the initial meeting, and they have a genuine interest in finding your new home. Thankfully, it’s easier than ever to compare different real estate agents with advanced online comparison tools.
Image Credits: mynemesis2011
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