Many realtors are available to help you buy or sell, so how do you choose the right one for you?
The first step to choosing a real estate agent is identifying your needs.
What are you looking for in an agent?
Are you looking for someone to help you find a home, or are you looking to work with someone to help you list and sell a home?
Do you need to find an agent who can help you with all aspects of the home buying or selling process, or do you only need to look for an agent to help with a specific part of the process?
Choosing the right real estate agent that cares and is committed to your success is very important, as you will want an agent that fits your needs which should include them being experienced and knowledgeable in your local area.
There are many agents out there; not all know the area well. Therefore, you need to find an agent who knows the market well to get a great deal on buying or selling a home.
Here are 10 Tips for choosing the right real estate agent that fits your needs to help you make the best-informed decision.
1. What Do You Want In A Real Estate Agent?
The potential agent is first someone who you feel you can easily communicate with and trust.
You’ll want someone to be a voice for you, explain things to you in detail, and also someone that can understand the difficulties of what you are currently going through.
They also need to be able to help with any issues at hand that you bring to their attention.
Moreover, your potential agent really also needs to be someone you believe in within the world of real estate.
Why would you want them on your side if you don’t think they can get you’re buying or selling job done for you?
Next, ensure they use your preferred method of communication that you are comfortable with.
This could include discussing financial decisions in person, on the phone, by email, and by SMS text messages.
Don’t be afraid to ask to see if your agent will be proactive in keeping you updated during the process.
They may have a preferred contact method whereby they respond the quickest to ensure you are never waiting for answers and receive prompt and professional service.
Check whether the agent you’re interviewing has their contact information listed on Google search and a Facebook and Instagram page.
They should have lots of positive online reviews from previous customers. This will help you choose and find an agent that fits your specific needs.
Taking the time to weigh all of the pros and cons of the options available to you, makes it easy to make the best decision for your needs.
2. Find A Local Agent Familiar With The Neighborhood And Works Full-Time
When looking for a real estate agent, it is important to find someone who is familiar with the neighborhood or type of home you are interested in.
An agent who knows the area well will be able to help you find the right home for your needs and budget.
They will also be able to provide you with information about the local market and any upcoming changes that could impact your search.
When it comes to finding the right real estate agent, experience and availability are key.
You’ll want to find an agent who has been in the business for a while and is available to show you houses when it fits your schedule.
Keep in mind that not all agents are full-time real estate professionals, so their availability may be limited.
3. Why Does An Agent’s Knowledge About The Neighborhood Matter?
Working with a real estate agent familiar with the housing stock can be beneficial for several reasons.
A good example is an agent knowledgeable of the local area in purchasing houses with bungalows.
An agent that has seen a lot of the housing stock that has come up on the market would know that not all bungalows have back splits.
A buyer may lose out picking a less knowledgeable agent who has not seen the housing stock on the market.
Additionally, an educated agent local to the area may know how the buses run in the neighborhood.
Including how sounds on the highway may affect your piece of mind once you settle into your new home.
They may also be aware of the schools in the neighborhood and know how traffic flows during the day.
This will help inform you better of any traffic-congested areas, or where cars may speed, have complaints of kids, or speedbumps.
These are all things to take into account and why just picking any random agent doing research on a property you are interested in may not be good enough.
If you're looking for important and timely real estate insights and information
to make the best, informed decisions for yourself and your family
provide your name, and email below.
4. Interview Several Agents Or Ask Friends And Family For Agent Referrals
When buying or selling a home, it’s important to have a good real estate agent.
A great way to find a good agent is by asking your friends or family for a referral.
A good real estate agent will know the market and the area, negotiate well, and be responsive to your needs.
A bad real estate agent can make the process of buying or selling a home much more difficult than it needs to be.
It is important that you and your agent have a good relationship
It’s important to have a good relationship with your agent, so make sure you spend some time building a strong relationship.
A good agent will make an effort to get to know you and create a strong bond with you as well.
Is your agent attentive and do they comprehend your spending plan prerequisites and what’s most important to you?
You need to find an agent who understands your expectations, as this is valuable alongside experience and skills.
But what if you don’t have any friends or family in the industry? How do you go about finding a good, reputable real estate agent?
Below is a list of tips and questions you may consider when finding a good reputable real estate agent.
5. List Of Tips And Questions To Ask For Selecting A Real Estate Agent:
If You’re Buying A Home:
- The agent should explain to you how much house you can afford
- The agent doesn’t pressure or rush you into making a purchase
If You’re Selling A Home:
- The agent helps to get you top dollar for your property
- The agent hires a staging company to make your place look good to potential buyers
General Tips For Both Buyers And Sellers:
- Can I contact any of your references?
- Is your real estate license active and free from penalties and may I see it?
- Do you represent both buyers and sellers?
- Are you currently working as a real estate agent full-time or part-time?
6. Your Agent Must Have A Winning Strategy
When hiring a real estate agent, you want to ensure they have a solid plan.
You don’t want an agent who is just winging it.
A good agent will have a strategy for marketing your home, pricing it competitively, and getting it sold quickly.
They’ll work hard to get the best possible price for you and be your advocate.
Start by requesting to look over their portfolio.
Take the time to look at their portfolio of current and past clients to see what they have done in your neighborhood.
See if there are any reviews and testimonials from previous clients.
Get references from your friends, family, or co-workers that live in the area and have recently sold a home.
The more people you ask around, the better chances you will have of finding a successful real estate agent.
7. Your Real Estate Agents Business Network
It’s no secret that buying a home is a huge undertaking.
There are so many facets to the process, and it can be difficult to keep track of everything that needs to be done.
That’s where your real estate agent comes in.
A good agent will be able to recommend mortgage brokers, appraisers, inspectors, real estate lawyers, general contractors, moving companies, and anything else you might need in order to make your home purchase or sale go smoothly.
8. How Is Your Commission Structured?
Before hiring a real estate agent, it’s important to understand how they are compensated.
Agents typically earn a commission based on the sale price of the home.
The commission is usually a percentage of the sale price, and is split between the buyer’s and seller’s agent.
In some cases, the agent may also charge a flat fee. It’s important to ask about all fees before entering into a relationship with an agent.
9. Choose A Tech-Savvy Real Estate Agent
Choose a real estate agent who possesses excellent tech proficiency.
Lots of great methods are available through excellent technology, and well-informed agents will take advantage of these resources to be more productive and help them to fulfill your objectives.
Look at your listings on realtor.ca. How well is your home advertised?
Buyers start their search online, and this is one of the most important factors.
Determine how presentable your presentation is. Online listings typically begin the buyer’s approach, so this is of vital significance.
Is your agent active on social media, and do they habitually use it to market their real estate as well as for self-promotional purposes?
When choosing a real estate agent, it is important to consider their tech proficiency.
There are many great methods and tools available through technology, and agents who are well-informed about these can help you make the best decisions for your needs.
10. Find An Agent Who Is Responsive
It’s important to choose an agent who is responsive to your needs.
You want someone who cares about you and will answer your calls and emails promptly.
Ask your agent how quickly they usually return calls and emails.
You may have a lot of questions when you’re buying or selling a home.
A good agent will be able to answer all of your questions, as well as explain the process step-by-step.
Experience
- You don’t want to be a guinea pig for a new real estate agent. Make sure your agent has plenty of experience helping people buy or sell homes in the area you’re interested in.
Accessibility
- You want an agent who is flexible enough to work around your schedule – even if that means weekday evenings or weekends. You should also ask whether the agent has anyone else working with him or her so that you can still get help if he or she goes on vacation or is ill.
They should keep you updated on the status of your transaction.
A responsive agent will make the process of buying or selling a home much smoother.
Finally Choosing A Real Estate Agent As Your Listing Agent
In conclusion, when looking for a real estate agent, consider these ten tips: their experience, whether they are a full-time or part-time agent, how well they know the area, their success rate, how they communicate, if they have a team, what resources they have available, whether they are a buyer’s agent or a listing agent, and finally, ask for referrals.
With so many realtors to choose from, finding the right real estate agent will make the process easier and help you get the best possible outcome.
Odane Harding
Odane Harding is a Toronto Real Estate Agent who specializes in helping new buyers and sellers of homes. With over 6 years of experience in the industry, Odane brings his knowledge and expertise to each client, ensuring they have a smooth transaction. His passion for helping people and his dedication to providing excellent service makes him stand out amongst other agents. Call Odane today to get a free consultation with your next new home purchase or sale.
If you're looking for important and timely real estate insights and information
to make the best, informed decisions for yourself and your family
provide your name, and email below.