Fairness needs to be a factor whenever money is involved with property. In a perfect world, two individuals could buy, sell, or trade their homes with 100% satisfaction. This fantasy doesn’t account for property taxes, market value, and overall quality. Great real estate brokers live to satisfy all parties in a deal, while bad ones satisfy only themselves; and that is something you should keep in mind when it comes to choosing a real estate broker.
Anyone with charisma can sell even a sub-par home. It takes a professional realtor to help the buyer find their place in a home and ensure a fair return to the previous occupant. Truly great agents, however, can’t be found through a Google search. This calls for some helpful tips on choosing a real estate broker.
Family and Friend Referrals
The easiest step you can take when choosing a real estate broker is to ask your family and friends for referrals. Ask them about their buying or selling experiences with that brokerage.
If you happen to know someone who is a real estate agent, try to ask them about the firm they belong to. While it may seem convenient to hire a friend or family member, this could pose a conflict of interest. A bad deal could not only jeopardize your finances but also your relationship with that person.
Select Three Candidates
Once you start talking to agents, don’t jump for the first one who sounds good. Narrow down your prospects to three candidates. From there, proceed as if you’re conducting a job interview.
Some questions to ask your three prospective agents could be about their years of experience, the volume of active clients, and if they work with buyers more than sellers. Explain any unique housing situations you may have and ask how they would market it. Don’t forget to ask for reference contacts.
Check Their Credentials
We value accreditation when it comes to doctors, nurses, and lawyers. Devoted realtors can be told by the credentials earned through long hours of study in their given field.
Real estate agents regularly advertise their credentials. Those who advertise themselves as capital “R” realtors are members of the National Association of Realtors. An Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) is educated in handling transactions while a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) are qualified to help buyers and sellers 50 years and older. Awards for “Realtor of the Year,” issued by the state or local branches of the NAR, are another credential that you should definitely take into consideration.
Ensure Great Communication
Naturally, you want to find a realtor who communicates well. You’ll meet agents who are great talkers but fail to empathize with your situation. This agent will be spending hours or days with you negotiating the fine print. A realtor who pays lip service and tries to rush the process through isn’t the right one for the job.
At the end of the day, the best real estate agent has a positive reputation within your community. That person must be knowledgeable enough to answer two important questions: What is my home worth and is this the right place to raise a family?