A Google search is great for a lot of things – finding local restaurants, the nearest gas station, or the best walking trails. But it is not a reliable way to find the right real estate agent for YOU! You will get thousands of results in your market, and there is no guarantee you’ll find someone who is a good fit for you. After all, real estate agents are as individual as you are.
Here are some tips to help you find the right real estate agent for you:
- Get referrals from friends, family, and colleagues. You will get honest feedback that can help you create a list of potential real estate agents to contact.
- From that list, identify who is a REALTOR® and who isn’t. A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate salesperson who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, the largest trade group in the country. Every agent is not a REALTOR®, but many are. If you’re not sure, ask prospective agents if they’re a licensed REALTOR®. REALTORS® are held to a higher ethical standard than licensed agents and must adhere to a Code of Ethics and additional education.
- If you’re buying a home, you’ll want to select a buyer’s agent who can help you find and tour listed homes, make competitive offers, and negotiate with sellers.
- If you’re selling a home, you’ll want to choose a listing agent who helps their clients price their homes, list and market them, and negotiate with potential buyers.
- Drive around the city, region, or neighborhoods you are considering. Whose “for sale” and “sold” signs are you seeing the most? Visit the websites of those agents to see their listings and to learn more about each one to narrow down your list.
- Once you’ve got a shortlist of real estate agents to consider, read client reviews and testimonials to see what buyers and sellers have said about their experience.
- Schedule calls or meetings with potential real estate agents to get to know them better. Ask how long they have been an agent, how well they know the area, and whether they are working solo or have a support team. Be sure to ask whose interests they are representing – those of the buyer, seller, or both.
- Ask each real estate agent about their real estate experience, education, and areas of specialty. What makes them tick? Do they thrive on helping buyers find the perfect home, or are they focused on helping sellers get top dollar and finding replacement homes?
- If you want to be bold, ask the agents who their ideal client is, and find out how they handle challenges along the way. Does this sound like someone you want to work with?
- During the call or meeting, pay attention to their working style. Does it match yours or can you see areas for potential conflict? For example, are they good listeners, or do they interrupt you? Are they patient or pushy? Do you feel a connection?
Whether you are buying or selling a home, choosing the right real estate agent for you is critical. This will be someone you will be communicating with frequently, and who is helping facilitate one of the largest financial decisions of your life, so choose carefully before signing on the dotted line.
