When you’re ready to buy or sell a home, it’s a big and often overwhelming decision. There are a lot of factors that go into the process, and the best thing you can do for yourself in the long and short-term is choose a professional realtor who’s going to be your partner through this process. When you buy or sell a home, it’s not only a big lifestyle decision, but it’s also a massive financial decision. There are so many real estate agents who are all trying to get your business, so how do you cut through the noise and find someone with whom you can create a strong, viable partnership? The following are things to keep in mind as you’re choosing a real estate agent. Get Referrals
One of the best ways to narrow down the realtors vying for your business is to get referrals from people you know and trust. This can help you create a shortlist of potential candidates. The reason referrals from friends and family can be so useful is because you want to ideally find a realtor who works with people similar to you as far as the types of homes and neighborhoods you may be looking for. Do Your Own Research and Conduct Interviews
Once you get referrals, remember this is only a shortlist. Don’t settle on a real estate agent without going further into the process. You want to choose someone who is a good fit professionally and who has experience, but also someone who you mesh with well in terms of personality. Your realtor is someone you’re going to be working closely with, and you need to feel comfortable being open and honest with them and discussing any concerns you may have. When you’re talking to potential candidates, you want to interview them to get a feel for fit. You want to ask questions that will let you know more about their experience and their style. A real estate agent should not only be willing to answer questions but should also have a polished presentation for you that shows they’re putting in the effort. During the interview, you can learn more about how agents prefer to communicate, what their approach is, and how much interaction you can expect. During this time, you also want to express your own preferences and priorities because it may turn out that an agent decides they aren’t the best fit for you based on this. Credentials are important as you choose someone to work with, as well. First, you should look for an agent who is a Realtor. If someone has the Realtor designation, it means they are part of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) TM. There are other training areas a Realtor might have completed, as well. For example, a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) has undergone additional training to handle residential real estate while an Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR), specializes in working with buyers. Go with Your Instincts
Once you’ve gotten referrals and references, conducted interviews of at least three candidates, and you have gone through details such as credentials, you will have to think about what you feel in your gut. In many cases, you will speak with several qualified Realtors, all of whom have a lot to bring to the table, so chemistry is the deciding factor. If you’re ready to find the perfect real estate agent for you, contact EffectiveAgents.com today to get started. Photo credit: hutomo-abrianto-LT0_qOWaM1k-unsplash
