Choosing the Right Realtor

Buying for the first time or selling Warner Robins real estate in a changed marketplace are diverse elements that should influence your choice of realtor. Not only are not all realtors equal, the right choice for one type of purchase (or sale) may not be the best for another type. Before you sign on the dotted line, there are several aspects to consider to inform your choice.

Buyer Representation

Plan ahead for the questions you want answered when you are buying. Does your realtor specialize in first-time buyers? Investor? Live/work spaces? Do they market online? If you clearly know what and how you want to buy, you’re more likely to find the right person to help you get there. Remember, when you are buying, you are hiring an agent to represent you personally, so put yourself in the hiring seat. You don’t want to be represented by someone that tells you only what you want to hear, or only wants to sell you properties that he represents—you want someone that can guide you to the closest approximation of what you want, then show you how to get it. When you work with a real estate professional you expose a lot of yourself and your family to her, so if she makes you feel uncomfortable, look for someone else. If your gut says “I don’t really trust him,” move on to the next one. Ask friends and family for referrals, but filter their referrals through the same screening questions you would use with a complete stranger.

While you may be tempted to use a family member or close friend, buying a home is a big investment and can be very stressful. Using someone close to you (or even a relative or friend of someone close to you) could jeopardize that relationship or introduce personal or financial information into the personal association that you cannot undo. Your interactions and relationships with your real estate agent should be entirely professional and his focus should be to represent you.

Seller Representation

When looking for a selling agent, you want one that is focused on representing your property. While it may seem like splitting hairs, representation of your property may be entirely different from representing you, the seller. What that means is, you need an agent that sees the potential in the property other than what you see in it. That large country property you inherited from grandma may hold your childhood memories, but your agent should also be able to see it as someone else’s Bed & Breakfast or summer home, church retreat or other possibilities. Your starter home might be just right for a downsizing empty nester. The job of the selling agent is to understand and represent the property. This concept is particularly true in fluctuating markets, changing neighborhoods and diverse demographics. Additionally, you need full disclosure from your selling agent on the price you can reasonably expect to sell for. It is not in anyone’s interest to keep a property on the market for several months with no hope of selling it. If a selling agent specializes in your neighborhood, she knows the market, knows what to ask for, knows who is buying there, how to market it, how to make it compare favorably to other nearby homes and most importantly, what price to ask.

Making a Choice

Many real estate Websites offer agent reviews, and social media links may give you insights to a possible agent so you should read the reviews. One thing is for certain, for the cash buyer seeking Warner Robins real estate or Miami homes for sale, there are a lot of choices. Once you’ve narrowed down the field, make appointments with at least three agents and interview them in person. Ask them your questions and get a feel for how they interact with you. Then, ask for references from recent clients. Make sure to take the time to contact the references, ask them all the same questions so that you can compare the answers.

When It’s Not Working

If the relationship with your realtor is not working, do not hesitate to break it according to the contract that you signed. After all, whether you are buying or selling, you are the one that has to live with the final outcome.

As always, Warner Robins real estate information is provided as a courtesy by Anita Clark, your Warner Robins Real Estate Specialist, (478) 960-8055.