How to Hire a Good Real Estate Agent
Whether you plan to buy or sell a property, a real estate agent can offer specialist guidance. And because not all real estate agents have the same knowledge and skills, you need a few prospects to screen before hiring someone.
Professional Experience
One of the first things you want to know about your prospects is their industry experience. How long have they been a real estate agent? Besides that, you’d also like to know whether or not they have significant experience with buyers who have the same needs as yours. Also note that there’s a great difference between agents who are part-time and full-time. To put it simply, you cannot expect part-timers to be able to give you the level of service that a full-timer can.
Areas and Types of Properties
Real estate agents can also differ among each other based on the types of properties and geographic areas they specialize in. However, neighborhood expertise is key for any agent for the reason that different places can have different quirks. If you are buying or selling a historic house, find an agent who specializes in this type of property, which is known for some unique challenges, including potential restrictions. Additionally, see how an agent advertises himself on the Internet. If he says he’s a condo specialist and you want to buy a house, he’s hardly the right agent for you.
Communication
In any real estate transaction, agent-client communication is extremely important. Find an agent who will quickly return your calls, SMS or emails. Also ask who your main point of contact will be. Some agents are so busy they employ sub-agents or assistants, and you may not have a direct line with the agent you pick.
References
Besides interviewing potential agents, have a chat with their buyers and sellers too. This way, you can hear about your prospects from someone else, and you would know how they actually did. You might want to ask the agents as well if they’re getting mostly referrals or repeat business. This gives you a clue as to whether their prior clients were satisfied or not.
Closing Costs
Buyers usually don’t pay commission directly, but sellers usually do just that, and the costs are different from one agent to another. Make sure you ask for a breakdown of the projected closing costs. If one agent is charging you less than the others, see if the reduced commission also means reduced services. Find out where the property is going to be listed and how visible the agent is online. If the agent lists the property on his social media accounts, how many followers does he have?
These are the main points you need to cover as you assess whether or not a particular agent is right for you. Whatever information you have, understand it and listen to your gut.
