When you were younger and you would imagine what your dream home was going to look like, you certainly didn’t think about having to weed through a selection of real estate agents until you found the right one.
And why would you? There’s nothing romantic about searching for a real estate agent. However, be this as it may, it is an important aspect of the process.
To help you find the right agent for you, below are some tips for your consideration.
Start With Communication
Remember that you are the one paying for the services, so you are allowed to be any type of client you want. With this in mind, it’s important that you consider the level of communication that you need and will expect from a real estate agent and ensure that you are upfront with your agent and that they can reciprocate.
Conversely, if you are only looking to be contacted when a new option has become available or they have news to tell you, be sure to bring this up during your first meeting also.
How Will They Sell Your Property?
Anybody can buy a property. You simply plug in the details of what you want into a website and are rewarded with all of the options available. Right?
Wrong. Look for an agent which has an established network of realtors which they can rely on to help expand your search. More often than not, properties are found and purchased before a photo has even been taken, let alone put on a website with details and an asking price.
An agent with access to this type of network is what you are looking for as they can help you find more properties.
What Are Their Fees?
Of course, any agent will have fees to be charged. However, not every agent will be transparent with you about these fees during your first meeting.
In addition to asking about any and all fees you can expect to pay, be sure to clarify payment methods. For example, if your agent accepts electronic transfer then you can reduce your home buying budget by utilizing the Groupon Coupons page for Western Union to make your payment.
In addition, ask about any third party fees which may be applicable, such as external commissions to other agents or similar items.
Check Their References
It is one thing to ask for references, and it is quite another to actually pick up the phone and call them. Be sure that you follow the latter.
If your agent tells you about a client who they recently helped find their dream home, ask for reference details and call them! When you do, ask about the experience and if there was anything they would do differently were they to start the process again.
Just because it isn’t romantic doesn’t mean that it isn’t important. Be sure to keep these tips in mind when choosing your real estate agent to help you find the right one for you.
