When it comes time to buy a new home, sell your old home, or both, you need the best help you can get. Unless you’re a first-time homebuyer, you know how tedious and complicated the real estate process can be. Between home inspections, mortgages, and negotiations, it’s easy to get mired down in the details.
However, having the right real estate agent can make your life much easier. The only question is how to find the best realtor for the job. Not sure where to begin? Keep reading for everything you need to know about choosing real estate agents.
1. Ask Around for Recommendations
First, talk to the people closest to you to find out if they have any suggestions. Between friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers, you probably know someone who’s moved recently. Ask these people in your immediate group of contacts if they have any recommendations for choosing real estate agents in the area.
You can also log onto Facebook and join a community page. Here, you can ask the citizens of your town for recommendations on the best realtors around.
2. Find References and Reviews
One of the best ways of finding great services is by looking up customer and client reviews. Choosing real estate agents is no different. Look at the websites of local realtors or find them on social media to see if they publish client reviews and testimonials.
Ideally, you’ll be able to see what dozens of other people have to say about their services.
3. Ask About Areas of Expertise
When searching for a new home or selling your current home, it’s important to consider a realtor’s experience. While every realtor needs to start their career at the beginning, your circumstances may call for more knowledge and experience.
For example, you may need a realtor with more home selling experience if you’re selling your house as-is. Additionally, if you’re looking to buy a home in the safest part of town within the best school districts, you’ll need a realtor who’s incredibly familiar with the area.
4. Find Out About Pricing
Next, you need to find out how much each realtor is going to charge. This will require a consultation with prospective agents as fees are not publicly disclosed through media like websites, social media, or brochures.
When comparing agent fees, remember that the seller traditionally pays for both realtors, which is a percentage of the home’s value. This “listing fee” is not paid until closing and is usually split equally between the buyer’s agent and seller’s agent.
If this makes you wonder, “is it worth it to hire a realtor as a home seller?” the answer is absolutely. Homes sell for much more when sellers use agents.
5. Ask About Services
Finally, when choosing real estate agents, ask them about the services they offer. As noted previously, real estate agents may charge differently. However, higher costs and additional fees may include extra benefits such as hosting open-houses, digital marketing knowledge, years of experience, and more.
Before deciding on a realtor, ask them about what is included in their price.
Need Help Choosing Real Estate Agents?
If you’re having trouble choosing real estate agents, I can help. Whether you’re looking at purchasing your first home or looking to sell your current home, I will make sure you get the best deal possible, as quickly as possible.
I have a background in digital marketing and know exactly how to reach out to serious buyers and negotiate with sellers. In fact, I am a certified Real Estate Negotiation Expert (RENE).
Contact me today to get started on your next real estate journey.
