In Search of a Good Traditional Real Estate Agent

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If you are looking to buy a home or sell a property, having a skilled and experienced agent is essential. It can sometimes be a hard find; relying solely on online reviews and testimonials will tell you only half the story. Consider the following to help find an accurate representation of prospective real estate agents.

Ask your friends and family for some referrals.

Referrals are an excellent way to reveal the quality of services offered by any real estate agent. Ask your friends and family for referrals, and ask why they would recommend that particular agent. This will provide you with some more detailed information, which can be used to decide whether a specific real estate agent is suited to help reach your real estate goals.

Look for a real estate agent with thorough knowledge of your neighborhood.

Neighborhood knowledge is a valuable asset. The more a real estate agent knows about any given area, the better. Your real estate agent should be highly knowledgeable about the area you’re selling or buying in to ensure your goals are met efficiently and effectively.

Do read online reviews and testimonials.

The internet is a great place to evaluate the quality of potential real estate agents. Many real estate agents share client testimonials on their own website, whereas some agents share comments on the social media platforms. These testimonials, however, are unlikely to disclose negative feedback. To ensure you have an accurate representation of a real estate agent, conduct a non-related online search for user-submitted reviews and testimonials. You will usually collect the pros and cons of the services offered based on unedited experiences.

Interview several different agents.

Once you have a collection of possible real estate agents, conduct interviews to narrow in on the specific strong points of each. There are various sales techniques real estate agents use to help clients buy or sell a home, as well as different levels and areas of expertise. Your criteria can include the number of years in the industry and personality styles. It’s crucial to find a real estate agent who aligns with your personal goals and preferences to ensure a successful and enjoyable experience.

Are their recommendations for pricing for sellers realistic?

No real estate agent should suggest that you list your house at the highest price without first considering all the key factors. When selling your home, get listing presentations from at least three separate agents. They will be able to tell you how much similar homes have sold for within the area, how long they took to sell, and other valuable information and recommendations that are well calculated. Listing a home at too high a price will result in it taking much longer to sell, or worse, buyers may not even look at it. The longer a house sits on the market unsold, the more people will start to think something is wrong with it. Always select a real estate agent who provides realistic recommendations and listing prices, and does not try to “bid” for your listing with inflated market analyses.

Are they energetic enough to show you several houses when you are buying?

This may be a touchy subject to bring up, but try to discover if the agent/candidate will be selfish with his time or commission, should the occasion arise. You two may be going on an extended vacation relationship.

Look for a REALTOR®

When you start your search, know the difference between a real estate agent and a REALTOR®. A real estate agent is someone who has taken classes and passed the licensing test for their particular state. REALTORS® are members of the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). The requirements to join this prestigious professional organization involve more than just being licensed and active in the industry. REALTORS® follow a strict code of ethics. While you try to identify a real estate agent you like, to see if they are a REALTOR®, simply search their name on and area served on realtor.com.

The success of your investment depends on the real estate agent you choose. Follow these guidelines in your search for a real estate agent who will help you navigate your home buying or selling process with some degree of ease. Next we will look at the process of selling your own house with no agent.

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