How Do I Choose A Good Real Estate Agent?

The right real estate agent can be the difference between a pleasant, successful real estate transaction and a nightmare. Even though you do not have to hand your agent a check for her services, you do pay for her efforts in a commission. Therefore, it is worth the time and the effort to find the right agent for you who will give you the service you need and deserve.

Ask for referrals. 

Friends, family, members of churches and social groups you are involved in, and your co-workers are good people to ask. Ask these people why they are recommending their choices to you. If an agent’s name keeps coming up or a person who was in a situation similar to yours is recommending a particular agent, you should check those agents out.

Drive around where you live or in the area, you would like to move. You will begin to see multiple signs for the same agent. That real estate agent probably specializes in the area. He will be more knowledgeable about the market and availability in that area than other agents will and could be a good choice.

Call three or four of the top recommendations and the one or two agents whose signs you saw the most. If any of the agents do not respond within a few hours, drop them off the list. If they will not call you back to get your business, they will not call you back once they have your business.

Ask the real estate agents questions about their experience, areas of expertise, working preferences, and availability. Look for the two or three agents who you can communicate with well, whom you feel comfortable with, and who knows the area and has easy access to the knowledge. A quality agent asks good questions and listens to the answers you give.

Meet with your final picks and make sure that your impression of them from over the phone still holds true. If you do not get a good feeling or are not at ease with any of the agents in person, delete them from your list. Ask them for market analysis and potential sale price, if a listing agent, or to show you information about their top picks for houses for you, if a buyer’s agent.

Choose the agent that represents the best combination of knowledge, experience, and responsiveness and who seems to understand you and your needs. It is better to choose someone you can work well with but who may be less experienced than an experienced agent who does not have a handle on what you need and does not listen to you.

References

Tips-

Take your time finding the right agent. When you have found her, listen to her advice and work with her, not against her. You have hired your agent to do a job, let her do it.

Warnings

If you are unhappy with your agent, you can usually cancel an agency agreement with the written notification and a small fee. Make sure you understand how to cancel your contract with your agent so that you are prepared in case the need comes up.

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