Finding the Right Real Estate Agent For You
Whether you are buying or selling, choosing the right real estate agent can be one of the most important decisions you make. More than likely, everyone you know has a friend or relative that is a Realtor. Be cautious about selecting the right person for the task. The right real estate agent for you and your needs is out there, and here are 3 tips to guide your search.
Explore and Investigate
Take a walk or drive through your neighborhood or the one that you are interested in moving into. Take note of the for sale signs in the area. Is there one company or agent that seems to dominate? Keep an eye on how fast sold signs go up on the homes for sale. Visit open houses, this is a great way to see how an agent performs in action.
Reviews and Ratings
Friendly referrals are great, but checking an agents reviews and ratings online may reveal insights that your friends or family may not actually know about. Some sights like zillow.com allow you to check the ratings and reviews of agents. Also collect flyers and business cards from open houses and search the agents name online. Often you will find reviews from your search.
Interview and Inquire
Once you narrow the field of possibilities down to a few prospects, ask for a meeting to interview the agents and their qualifications. Asking pertinent questions will help you determine if an agent will be focused on helping you buy and/or sell with your best interest in mind. Check out this article onforb.es/1luVWlT at Forbes.com for questions to ask while interviewing an agent/broker.
A small amount of detective work and a little research will help you make the best choice in choosing the right real estate agent.