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How to Find a Great Real Estate Agent- Part Two

08 May

How to Find a Great Real Estate Agent- Part Two

Unless you're experienced and knowledgeable about what it takes to buy or sell a home, a great real estate agent is essential to a smooth and successful buying or selling experience. But how do you find the best agent for you? 

In Part One of How to Find a Great Real Estate Agent, you discovered what traits make an agent stand out from others and how to begin choosing a good fit for your buying or selling needs and goals. Now, we'll wrap it up with four more helpful tips, exploring where to look for an agent and knowing what questions to ask the contenders. 

After reading through Part One and Part Two of this important topic, you'll be ready to begin searching for a great real estate agent! 

What Did We Learn in Part One? 

Before you continue, be sure you have checked out Part One. It is packed with helpful information to start finding a great real estate agent. 

Here's what you missed if you haven't yet visited the first part of this blog. 

What Makes a Great Real Estate Agent? 

We began by defining what being a "great" real estate agent means. While it is often subjective, there are several qualities most people can agree on, including: 

  • Honesty 
  • Passion 
  • Friendly 
  • Up-to-Date with trends 
  • Self-Motivated 

Helpful Tips 

Before we dive into the final four of seven tips for finding the right agent for you, let's recap what we learned in Part One. 

So far, we've discussed the following three tips: 

  1. What does "great" mean to you?- Consider your personal needs and goals to help you determine what a "great" agent is to you. 
  2. Choose a Few to Interview.- Interviewing one agent that stood out to you isn't going to do the trick. Dig deeper to collect a few contenders so you have something to compare each professional to. 
  3. Discover their Availability.- If you need to buy or sell as quickly as possible, a busy agent tending to several demanding clients may not be a good fit for you. 

4 More Tips for Finding a Great Real Estate Agent 

4 | Always Ask About Experience. 

It's easy to see why working with a professional with plenty of experience is better than one new to the field. Agents with several successes in the past are more likely to sell or home for the best price or help you get the best deal. 

Additionally, it's equally important to compare the nature of their previous jobs to your needs. For instance, suppose you're moving out of state. In that case, you won't want a real estate agent who has only worked with local transitions. Similarly, if you're a first-time buyer, you'll want to watch for agents who have previously worked with first-time buyers. 

5 | Look for Agents with Many Listings. 

An almost effortless method of finding a great agent is to sort your options by how many listings they have in your area. A professional with several listings shows they are ambitious and skilled. However, too many listings may indicate you'll just be another number, making for a less personal experience. 

6 | Ask Around. 

One of the best ways to find the right fit for you is to ask around. Talk to your family, friends, and neighbors about the agents they've worked with and how they feel about their experience. 

7 | Don't Forget to Check for a Valid License. 

It sounds like common sense, but you'd be surprised how many people forget this critical step in searching for your best real estate agent. Always ask for proof of the agent's license and certifications. 

Where Do You Find a Great Real Estate Agent? 

Buyers and sellers discover a great real estate agent in two primary ways– through referrals or on the world wide web. We suggest contacting relatives, friends, neighbors, and co-workers first. Personal accounts are more reliable than potentially fabricated online information. 

Talk to the People You Know. 

Nearly half of buyers and sellers end up working with an agent recommended by a friend or family member. Word of mouth is a powerful marketing strategy for real estate agents and professionals in different industries. 

Chat with co-workers, relatives, friends, and other people in your life. You can even use social media to your advantage. Try posting a question like, "Does anyone have a real estate agent they would recommend?"  

Do Some Research. 

You can visit numerous websites to see what real estate agents are in your area. When looking further into the agents that grab your attention, remember to check online reviews from multiple sources. 

Sometimes you can even request the contact information from the agent's previous clients. That way, you can get the best insight into how the real estate agent helped buy or sell other homes. 

Questions to Ask Real Estate Agents 

It's not usually enough to merely ask the agents you're considering about their rates. While you need to ensure the agent will fit your budget, there are several other things you need to know to discover if they are a good fit.  

Questions Buyers and Sellers Should Ask 

What is Your Experience as a Real Estate Agent? 

You need to know the professional's years of experience and the type. Have they worked with clients with needs and goals similar to your own? 

Are You Certified and Licensed? 

As mentioned, confirming the individual is a licensed real estate agent is essential. The agent may also have additional certifications that make them more competitive and qualified. 

What to Ask as a Seller 

What Are Your Best Marketing Skills and Strategies? 

Compare the approach the different agents you're considering have to market the home you want to sell. What have they done in the past? Which tactic is usually most successful or makes the most significant impact in their experience? 

Do You Have Experience Selling Homes Like Mine? 

Each house has unique qualities, perks, and cons. Has the agent worked with clients with a home with similar features to yours? 

What to Ask as a Buyer 

What's Your Approach for Showing a Client their Options? 

Ask the agent how they have helped previous clients discover homes with their needs and within their budget. It's essential to see if the real estate agent works in a way that serves your needs. 

Will You Help with Offers and Negotiating? 

If you're not confident in your negotiating skills or have difficulty standing your ground, you'll need an agent willing to be very involved in these areas.  

CITED: Nerdwallet.com, Forbes.com, Realtor.com 


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