How to Choose The Right Real Estate Agent
A real estate agent or realtor can be instrumental in assisting you in your property search. They are not just property finders but also negotiators, advisors, and paperwork managers. Whether you are looking for residential property or a commercial building, having someone who knows what they are doing and what is available can be a great help in selecting the perfect property at the right price.
But not all real estate agents are equal, and it's not as easy as turning up at an office and asking a real estate agent to help you. There is a lot that goes into building a beneficial and mutually respectful relationship with a real estate agent to ensure a fruitful endeavor for all involved parties.
So, what do you need to know about how to choose a real estate agent, and how do you go about finding the perfect person for your property search?
Get Recommendations
Talk to others about the real estate agent they used and whether or not they would use them again; this is a good indicator that they're valuable to others. Ask people who have made the same type of purchase you're looking to make what their thoughts are. This could be family and friends for residential properties or peers for business purchases that are required for your company or professional needs. Alternatively, if you are investing only, you need an agent who has experience in investment properties. Talking to people you know who have invested in similar ways can uncover real estate agents who can help you.
Research
Researching real estate agents has never been easier. Simply head online, make some queries to find the right agents for your buying needs, and then read reviews and testimonials for those who might be suitable.
Look for common themes and threads that focus on similar things and patterns within reviews. What did they do well that keeps coming up, or didn't do well? Try to avoid making decisions based on odd reviews or overly positive and negative ones. Instead, look at the more balanced reviews that seem more genuine.
Look at the websites and see what it says about them or the types of properties they have. For example, Harper Macleod properties feature residential properties and land for sale, social media accounts, and any organizations they might be a part of, or even news reports or publications they right have been featured in to help you form a more comprehensive view of the real estate agent and what they're about before you make an appointment to meet them.
Interview More Than One Agent
It's a good idea to schedule a few interviews with different agents so you can get a feel for them in person. While online research can uncover a lot of details, nothing beats meeting people face to face, and lining up multiple interviews with different agents can work in your favor.
Get a shortlist together and create a list of questions that can help you narrow down your choices and get a better idea of if or how they can help you and what to affect during the relationship. Look at how they conduct themselves. Do they engage with you or talk to you? Do they involve you or are they freely giving you examples of what they do, or are they trying to rush you into making a decision? All these signs can help you to make up your mind about a person and determine whether this will be a successful partnership.
Discuss Expectations
It's important to have expectations, but they need to be realistic. Discuss these expectations with potential agents to ensure they can meet them. This will help you find common ground and feel confident that the agent understands your needs. It's a key step in ensuring a successful partnership.
Real estate agents do more than just find your properties. They are your guiding hand and support system throughout the entire process. The more they know about you and your expectations, the better they can adapt their approach to meet your needs. This understanding and adaptability can make a significant difference in your property search.
Trust Your Gut
Your gut tells you things for a reason, and if it's not feeling good, the real estate agent you're talking to should listen to it. It isn’t likely to steer you wrong. If you have an initial reaction that doesn’t lean towards a positive relationship, don’t ignore this and keep looking until you find someone you feel more at ease with.
You need to be able to trust your agent, and if this isn't immediately obvious to you or you have concerns, you need to trust yourself that you feel this way for a reason. The agent-client relationship is built on trust, and if you don't feel comfortable or trust your agent, it's a sign that the relationship may not be successful. Don't be afraid to say this isn't going to work and walk away, and don't allow yourself to be pressured; if this occurs, your intuition is probably right and a good indicator that things won't go well for you.
Ask About Experience
The last thing you want is for the agent you choose not to be experienced in the local area, the sector you are buying in, or even in the real estate sector at all. While newer agents need to cut their teeth somewhere, somehow, if they're too inexperienced, this won't work well for you.
You want someone who is well versed in the market, knows what will happen and what to expect, and has their finger on the pulse of the current market to give you suitable properties.
Ask What They Offer
Real estate agents are busy people who need to talk to and negotiate with clients and vendors. They need to manage and arrange open houses, viewings, and paperwork, be aware of the local market and what is happening, and market themselves. There is a lot on the plate, and it's only natural they won't give you their undivided attention 100% of the time. But it isn't unrealistic to ask them what support they offer. What will they be doing for you as your agent to help find your perfect property? An experienced and successful real estate agent will have experience in juggling everything on their plate and be able to keep you updated and things on track with ease like a well-oiled machine.
How Busy Are They
A meeting might be all it takes to ascertain how busy your real estate agent is or will be with you on board. From their phone constantly going off, to them seeming preoccupied or eager to wrap things up, many telltale signs can indicate they already have a lot on their plate, and your business might be one client too many.
Don't be afraid to ask them about their capacity for clients, how many they currently work with, and what you can expect in relation to how long it takes them to reply to you, find properties, or arrange viewings. While they might not want to share that information, it can give you a good idea of how they respond to how high on their priority list you will be.
Choosing the right real estate agent can make or break your property search. They need to be your supporting partner in helping you secure the right property with favorable terms, and these tips help you find the perfect person to do just this.