Buying or selling a home is one of the largest financial decisions you’ll make in your life. As such, it’s essential to find a real estate agent who can represent your interests and help you achieve your goals.
If you’re a first-time home buyer, finding a qualified agent is even more crucial. A good agent will have an in-depth understanding of the local real estate market, can answer your questions about mortgage programs, and guide you through the entire homebuying process.
While it’s a good idea to rely on recommendations from your friends, family and neighbors when looking for an agent, don’t settle for just any agent based on their name alone. Talk to a few different agents and get to know their styles and personalities before you decide.
A reputable referral source, such as your bank, can be an excellent way to get recommendations from people you trust in the area. It’s also a great idea to ask your real estate broker for his or her recommendation, as they may have worked with a trusted agent they like.
Checking with your state’s realtor association or licensing agency is another good way to find an agent. You can do this by using their Find a Realtor form or searching for members based on your specific geography.
Online Reviews
When researching an agent, it’s important to read online reviews from past clients. A review’s content can tell you a lot about an agent’s personality and professionalism. A good review should weigh pros and cons and include specifics, but you should also look for trends. It’s especially important to pay attention to the tone of a review, as anger, vulgarity and foul language could signal an agent with unprofessional attitudes.
The best online reviews are ones from people who have a positive experience with the agent. They will usually give you an honest, detailed account of the experience and what they liked and didn’t like about working with that agent. Also read https://www.propertyleads.com/motivated-seller-leads/motivated-seller-leads-wisconsin/
You can also check out a company’s website to see what past clients have said about it. A well-designed and user-friendly site can go a long way toward helping you choose the right real estate agent for your needs.
An agent’s availability and responsiveness are also important considerations. A good agent should respond to all client inquiries and be available to show properties or negotiate contracts quickly.
It’s a good idea to ask about an agent’s work schedule during interviews and at home viewings. A good agent should be able to answer your questions and meet your needs at the times that work for you, such as after hours or on weekends.
A good agent should always be upfront with you about their past sales record and their current pipeline, which indicates how many homes they are actively listing and selling at any given time. With the changing real estate landscape, having a proven track record is more important than ever before.
