How To Hire The Right Real Estate Agent
Whether you are buying real estate to make a profit or just looking for a great place to live, your next real estate purchase is an investment, hands down. It is one of the most important investments you’ll make during your lifetime. So how do you make sure that you hire a real estate agent that is going to help you make the best real estate purchase decision? While every home buyer has different needs and wishes when buying real estate, there are a few fundamental truths that hold, no matter what you desire.
1. When buying real estate, you need a local realtor who understands current local market values to make sure you are getting a great value, whether for short term or long term gain.
2. You need to hire a real estate agent who fully understands each of the different home buying processes, so that you can deal with any seller when buying real estate in any situation.
3. You need to hire a real estate agent who can correctly guide you navigate through the negotiation process to ensure that you make the overall best purchase.
This becomes especially true when buying real estate from distressed sellers, because of the inherent liabilities that come along with financial problems, incomplete repairs and property disclosures.
We all know that it is especially difficult these days to find a local realtor / real estate agent that provides strong customer service, demonstrates a complete understanding of local real estate values, and does it all with your unique goals in mind. Some of this may seem general, but forgetting one step can leave you with the wrong property or no property at all, and more often than not, when buying real estate the majority of the risk falls on the home buyer.
HIRING A REAL ESTATE AGENT
Instructions
• STEP 1: Talk to people you trust who have recently hired a real estate agent and have purchased real estate thru that agent. Ask them how buying real estate went for them. Gather leads from your church, the homeowner’s association, home inspectors and neighbors. Contact online services like your local Board of Realtors.
• STEP 2: Go online or telephone your local realtor licensing board to verify credentials and confirm that their local realtor license is up to date. Check with the brokerage firm that the real estate agent works for them and find out if they are a top producer, what kind of hours they keep, and if they would be the top recommendation from that real estate broker for the type of real estate you are buying. Contact your local or state Board of Realtors to find out if the local realtor has any unresolved complaints on file.
• STEP 3: Identify several real estate agents. Describe your dream home or real estate investment and ask if they’ve handled comparable clients in the past year. Check their availability and discuss your budget. Ask them specific questions about the type of neighborhood and community you’d like to invest in. Narrow the group to those available real estate agents who impressed you most.
• STEP 4: Ask for names and numbers of current and former clients. Interview them about each local realtor’s strengths and weaknesses, and ask how the real estate buying experience went. Was the real estate agent attentive to your specific needs and requirements? Did they demonstrate an understanding of local real estate values and price movements? During the closing, did the real estate agent keep you informed? Did the real estate agent treat your property and family respectfully? Would you hire him or her again?
• STEP 5: Ask the top two or three agents to compile a list of properties that meet your criteria, see how quick they respond. Watch for confidence in their understanding and interpretation of your request. Go over the list of properties with the local real estate agent over the phone to prequalify the properties before you spend the time to go out and see them.
• STEP 6: Set up an appointment with the top local realtor of your choice, feel free to enter an exclusive representation agreement with them. This agreement ensures them that you will use them if you buy real estate, and that their investment of time and resources will not be wasted.
Buying real estate can be a very rewarding and beneficial investment of your time, money and dedication. You must hire a real estate agent that understands you, your local real estate market, and how the two of you will fit together. Your local realtor is your professional extension into the market place, make sure that it is a strong and knowledgeable connection. If something seems amiss, go elsewhere.
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