Updated 4/25/22.
There’s an ocean of residential real estate brokerage professionals to pick from when it comes to selling or buying property. Choosing the right one can be quite the challenge leaving you wondering, “How can I find a realtor that can represent my interests with great results?” To answer that question, below are a couple of pointers to get you started:
First off, a rental property realtor differs from a real estate agent/broker in that they are members of the National Association of Realtors. However, all must have completed their state’s examinations to get a license and are thus qualified, real estate agents.
Ask about their training and real estate experience. An agent with local expertise can provide unique insights about an area/neighborhood/comparable properties you are in, so searching for a “rental property realtor near me” should yield some good candidates.
Proof from other people about a real estate agent’s ability is a great way to get started on your search. A past of happy clients/referrals from people you know means an agent was able to negotiate strongly and honestly on their behalf and was therefore skilled in the best way to do real estate transactions.
Making the decision to move can be both extremely exciting and sad at the same time. You may not want to leave behind the memories in your existing house, making you re-think the move. But the possibilities that await you are endless; you can choose from any type of home on the market, from luxury houses for sale, to rural properties for sale, to country homes for sale, to waterfront properties.
All of these options can be overwhelming. Most real estate listings in any town number in the thousands, and narrowing the selection down takes time and effort. For this reason, many people hire a real estate agent to help.
Here are three tips on how to pick the best agent for the job.
- Specialization. Real estate agents are trained in handling buying and selling most kinds of properties, but many of them specialize in a specific area. For example, an agent that focuses on selling condos may not have access to the most current listing for luxury houses for sale, as this is not their specialty. So, it is important to find an agent that knows how to search and negotiate for the home that you want.
- Former Clients. One of the best ways to find out about an agent’s effectiveness is to talk to former clients. They will be able to give you an idea of how much the agent costs, how well he or she was able to negotiate the price of the home, if the agent was accessible, and other important details. You can also talk to the real estate company the agent works for to ask if he or she has garnered any complaints from other clients.
- Experience. When you look for an agent, be sure to ask how long the agent has been in business. If you find that the agent has only spent a few years working with clients, you will probably want to steer clear of that person. The reason for this is that experienced agents will have savvy negotiating skills, know the market, and be up-to-date on the current listings.
As the housing market continues to pick up, finding a home will be even harder, since more people will be looking to close on a house quickly. Hiring the right agent can help you secure the new house of your dreams before anyone else snatches it up. Find more on this here.
