Are you in the market for buying or selling a home? Picking the right real estate agent for your needs can take stress out of the process. If you want to sell in an up or down market you likely have concerns about moving your home or purchasing a new house.
Do your homework to find a skilled, reputable agent. Using both online and offline research can help you narrow down your search quickly. Patiently interview a few prospective agents to find the right match for your individual needs. Don’t rush through the due diligence process. Acquire all the facts you need to make an intelligent, informed decision.
Use the Internet to Narrow Down Your Search
Research prospective agents online. Search real estate company websites to learn more about your prospective realtor. Dig deeply into online forums and social networking websites to learn about your agents. Online forums are meeting places rich with helpful feedback and endorsements concerning agents. Trawl around forums for both positive and negative feedback to build a healthy watch list of agents in your area.
Facebook Groups offer you a research tool through which you can learn more about real estate agents. Groups are a likely source of both positive and negative feedback concerning the agents you want to learn more about.
Ask around for Referrals
Asking family, friends, neighbors and co-workers for referrals can give you a trusted source through which you can choose a reliable, honest realtor. Patiently ask people close to you for feedback concerning their experiences. Friends and neighbors can delve into their personal networks to find a real estate agent for your needs.
You can also ask any friends who may be agents for professional referrals, if your friends aren’t working the neighborhood where you plan to buy a home.
Referrals are the most powerful form of marketing. Hearing a suggestion or rousing endorsement from an individual whom you trust helps you believe in the agent and trust that they’re being honest with you.
Ask as many people as possible for referrals to leverage your presence. It never hurts to ask someone for their suggestions or connections because the worst thing they could do is say that they have no references.
Do an in Person Interview
Sitting down with a real estate agent for an interview helps you take the agent through the paces. Ask them about their experience buying or selling homes within your price range. Inquire into their professional history to see if they have what it takes to get the job done. Interviewing your prospective agent helps you get a feel for their motives. Honest, genuine, authentic realtors give off an attractive vibe which will likely seal the deal for you.
On the other hand, agents who are out to make a sale at any cost give off a repelling vibe. Go with your intuition. After speaking with a few real estate agents you can quickly sift out the poor matches to make room for quality matches.