Anita Clark Realtor

Choosing the Right Realtor

Choosing the Right Realtor

Choosing the Right Realtor
Buying for the first time or selling a home in a changed marketplace is a diverse element that should definitely influence you choosing the right Realtor for your particular real estate needs. 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.

Good real estate agents are like gold nuggets: it takes patience, effort, and expert tricks to dig one out from a pool of candidates. Fortunately, finding a trustworthy local Realtor is not mission impossible if you know what to look for and utilize a few basic search skills.

It all looks simple and easy when you are watching HGTV, but things are not always that easy. These things depend on where you live, how much money you have, what sort of a home you are looking for, and how much money you have, which is why making sure your agent is a good fit is so important.

If you need a reliable  agent but do not know where to start looking or which red flags to keep an eye out on, here are a few tips to help you get the biggest bang for your buck when choosing the right Realtor for your specific needs.

A good referral goes a long way How to Choose the Right Realtor

There are lots of ways to discover real estate agents, but not all of these ways are good enough for you. Some people believe in online marketing ideas, TV commercials, and print ads, but others realize that these things are not always the best solution. This is the reason why the majority of people still trust referrals so utilize this resource as your first step when possible.

If you do not want to take any risks when making what will probably be the biggest transaction of your life, try getting a few reliable referrals. A neighbor, friend, or family member who has recently bought or sold might be able to recommend an honest agent. Also, do not forget to ask your contact about the agents service fee, the positive aspects of their experience, as well as the downsides and potential hitches or delays that may pop up in the process.

Look beyond your contact list

Unfortunately, sometimes knowing people who know people simply is not enough. You may believe you know someone who has dealt with great agents in the past, so you may expect these people to help you, but that is not always the case. Therefore, thinking outside the box is vital if you are trying to find a solution as soon as possible.

If nobody in your network has connections in the realty world, you can make the inquiry with an authority in a property-related niche such as local builders, carpenters, or removal companies. That way, you stand better chances of finding a real estate agent who is trustworthy, up to date with local market trends, and able to provide all relevant info about the neighborhood, facilities, and expert tips on profitable property upgrades and best local contractors.

Go over online agent listings

Even though online marketing techniques employed by Realtors across the world are not always the best resource, you should not ignore these things completely. What’s more, if you know where to look and what to focus on, consulting the Internet might help you more than you can imagine!

Agent websites let clients search based on location, so keep that in mind when you are looking for specifics about the area you are looking to purchase a home in. This can be a good starting point as you begin to research local agents for assistance. You can also Google top agents in your neighborhood and cross-compare ratings and testimonials: if scores of former clients sing praises of a Realtor, odds are they could be worth your call.

Double-check agent rep

Once you have narrowed down the search to a few handpicked agents, you should research them online and offline. An agent’s rep is one of the best guarantees of service quality, but do not be disappointed if you do not find all the information you need to make the decision online right away. If the agent has just hatched or has only recently moved to your area, you should try to find out more about their professional background and skills by asking specific questions.

Again, you can do this by consulting people you know in person, as well as talking to people online, even though you have never met these people before. Cross-referencing the search results you have received after spending tons of time looking for agents with the referrals you have gathered from your friends and family will give you the ideal person. Admittedly, this takes a huge amount of time, energy, and patience, but if you know what a difference a good Realtor can introduce into your life, you will not be afraid to invest these things.

Discover who they know

Important Questions to Ask Your Realtor

Being connected and knowing a lot of people is crucial in the real estate industry, and picking a Realtor who knows tons of different folks out there can save you money and headaches down the road. From skillful contractors to handy movers who will help you move into your new home – if your real estate agents know who to recommend to you, give them priority consideration for the projects at hand.

The latter might actually turn out to be the most crucial thing during this entire process of finding a new home and starting a new life in it. Of course, in case your Realtor is unable to find you the perfect movers, they can always mention checking out a practical van hire that will allow you to move easily and effortlessly. So, the more people your agent knows the better, so be sure you pick them as soon as you find out how connected they are!

Leave nothing to chance

In the end, if you are still unable to pick just one person and start doing business with them, there is another idea you could explore. Make a list of questions you would like to ask your future Realtor, then ask those to each prospective agent ranking the responses so you have a better idea of who can assist you the best. Talking to potential candidates will help you figure out who is right for you and your home hunt, so do not be afraid to keep cross-examining them all until you have found the perfect one.

So, what you need to remember is that, when deciding which real estate agent to hire, just a few questions will help you pick the right person for your budget and property needs. Here are some of the most important questions to ask your Realtor before you enlist them to fight in your corner.

How long has the Realtor been in business?

Some people do not mind picking Realtors who are new to the field, and that might sometimes be a good idea because these young folks could be more passionate and dedicated to their clients. However, if you want to get the job done and end up being satisfied with the overall experience, choosing experience is always better. Therefore, aim for an experienced agent, not necessarily a newbie who is learning the ropes and using you as a guinea pig to acquire experience.

How long has the agent lived in the area? 

These experienced Realtors will know everything there is to know about properties in your area, including all their advantages and disadvantages. However, this is only possible if they are living in your area and are familiar with the homes in your neighborhood. So, you need to talk to them about their immediate experience and what they know about the area you are thinking about moving into.

Realtors who have spent years in the neighborhood usually have better insight into market trends than someone who has just moved in, so choosing the right Realtor can have long-term benefits when you are looking to sell a property.

Does the agent work alone or with a team?

Many independent realtors are gems, but service quality tends to go up with a team in the mix. Having a team of people working for you means you’ll have more to look for when meeting with your realtors – more ideas, more suggestions, more homes, and, ultimately, more options to pick from.

So, no matter how individualistic this entire process seems, having more people by your side is never a bad idea.

Does the Realtor have a pre-set schedule?

The Biggest Red Flags When Hiring A Realtor

Regardless of whether you are looking to buy or sell a home, you will need to know when your Realtor will be available for the showings. Insisting on a responsive agent and always there for you is crucial for the outcome of the process. If you can not reach your real estate agent, not only could you miss out on the home of your dreams but you will become frustrated as your needs go unmet.

So, if you are in a position to choose, pick a person who does not have a pre-set schedule and who is always going to be free to answer your call and show you a home you might be interested in.

Does the agent have a portfolio or site?

Seasoned agents usually have a website or portfolio with display homes you can browse through or use as a guarantee of their credibility and service quality. This is yet another way for them to be better than the competition, but it is also a way to show you that they’re worthy of your time, energy, and money.

Going through their portfolio and browsing their website will tell you what kind of people they are and how much you can trust them, so do not forget to do this before you make the final choice.

Does the real estate agent only show you homes inside your budget?

If you are looking to buy a home, ask the agent if they can find you a home within your budget. If they want to show you homes outside your budget or only show their own properties, they may not be the right agent for you. Remember, when choosing the right Realtor includes establishing the right budget and sticking to it as much as possible. These are two of the crucial things all buyers need to stay focused on.

Watch out for red flags

There are a few red flags you should keep an eye out for when choosing a real estate agent. Use the list below to eliminate the no-go agents from those that are worth your time and cash.

The agent offers the highest price for your property – When selling a home, property appraisals should be your guiding light, not the agents fancy. If the agent throws around figures lightly, or is unprepared, look for someone else.

The agent is merely dabbling in real estate as a side gig – Many agents are part-timers. Doing real estate as a side gig does not make an agent bad, but do they really have your best interest at heart when they are not fully committed to their profession? When in doubt, find an expert, not a dabbler.

The agent charges a ridiculously low commission – Price is not necessarily a guarantee of service quality, but unrealistically low commissions are a major red flag you should not dismiss lightly. Wanting to save money is smart but if something sounds too good to be true, you can bet it most likely is!

The agent rarely deals with your type of property – Different Realtors deal with different property types. To stay on the safe side of the real estate deal, go with an agent who’s well-versed in the type of property you want to purchase.

The agent does not deal with homes within your price range – Certain Realtors do not even bother showing low-end homes, which is why you should ask your agent about the property price range they usually deal in.

The agent does not know the local property landscape – If the agent does not know the homes for sale in your neighborhood, or does not know the market conditions, odds are they are not up to date with local real estate trends and do not deserve your trust.

The agent fails to update you about the transaction – If your agent keeps forgetting to update you about the upcoming home sale or purchase, they are wasting your time and money; do not let them get away with it.

Finding a skilled Realtor should be a methodical process, ending with you working with the agent who fulfills your real estate needs. Follow the steps listed above and you are bound to locate a real estate magician from a fistful of agents in a matter of days.

If you found this article on choosing the right Realtor helpful, please share the article so more consumers can benefit from the information provided.

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About Anita Clark Realtor

Anita Clark has written 646 posts on this blog.

Anita is a residential Real Estate Agent in Warner Robins Georgia, with Coldwell Banker Access Realty (478) 953-8595, aiding buyers and sellers with all their real estate questions on her Warner Robins blog.

  • Anita Clark Realtor

    470 S Houston Lake Rd
    Warner Robins, GA 31088

    (478) 960-8055

    anitaclark160@gmail.com

    Coldwell Banker Access Realty

    (478) 953-8595

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