Top Tips for Selecting a Top Real Estate Agent

The process of purchasing a property is not the easiest, so choosing the best agent might be the difference between a speedy and smooth transaction and a nightmare you can’t seem to escape. This article examines tried-and-true techniques for finding the ideal real estate agent who possesses both experience and a firm grasp on trends in the housing market. Learn more by reading on.

Research Local Agents

You might be able to get a better deal from local estate agents because they typically charge cheaper costs than national ones. Additionally, as they are more likely to be familiar with the neighborhood real estate market, local estate agents can help you receive the greatest possible value for your property if you’re on the selling end. If you’re a buyer who’s looking to relocate, then a local agent can give you the latest information about the community that you’re considering.

Experience Matters

Working with a seasoned real estate agent has advantages such as relationships with other agents, market understanding, strong recommendations, and a history of routinely closing deals. Ideally, you should look for an agent with at least five years of experience and who is already working on property deals along a price range that’s close to your budget in the location where you’re buying or selling.

Market Knowledge

Along with experience, a solid real estate agent will stay updated on the latest trends in the housing market in addition to keeping up with the current news on interest rates. On the more local level, agents will have strong knowledge about the community’s job market and overall growth and any other factors that would affect the sale of a home.

Communication Skills

Likewise, a top real estate agent will exhibit stellar communication skills for negotiating an offer on behalf of a seller, explaining the house-buying process to a first-time home buyer, or marketing to potential clients via social media, their website, or blog. Furthermore, top agents keep their clients updated during every step of the process and are prepared to answer questions—find out where to get the information that their clients need.

Network and Resources

Effective networkers can use their contacts to broaden their reach and get important insights into current market trends. Additionally, they have memberships in various real estate organizations along with their local chamber of commerce or a small business network. Having access to resources for information and contacts for their clients increases the chances of making a sale or finding the right property that a buyer is searching for.

Problem-Solving Skills

Another trait to look for in a top agent is their problem-solving skills. Even if the process has gone smoothly up to the point of the transaction, you can expect the unexpected. If something goes wrong, and either party wants to walk away from the deal, then the real estate agent must quickly figure out a solution that satisfies all parties involved. Likewise, if a client needs to buy or sell a property by a certain date, then the agent needs to know how to get past various obstacles to make it happen.

Open House Visits

You can also determine if an agent is the right professional for your situation by watching him or her in action. The best scenario would be an open house where you can observe how the agent points out the prime qualities of the property and answers questions. 

Homeowner’s Exemption

Additionally, a knowledgeable agent will inform you about the homeowner’s exemption. A homestead exemption shields a portion of the assessed value of your property from creditors and can shield you from property taxes up to a certain amount.

Fees and Contracts

Plus, when you have an agent who informs you of all fees and contract stipulations upfront, then you know whether you can expect a smooth transaction. This information is vital since it outlines who covers lien searches, estoppel fees, and survey costs, which can be a deal breaker if not properly provided in the contract.

Read Reviews and Testimonials

Finally, one of the best ways to choose a good agent is to peruse through their websites and read their reviews and testimonials. However, the reviews that you find on Yelp, Google, or other platforms would be more telling since the agent (or their web manager) can’t select which ones to display. You can also ask your friends or relatives who have recently bought or sold a home for their insight.

Conclusion

In a real estate transaction, the real estate agent represents you. When purchasing or selling a house, they are your first line of protection against anything that could go wrong. When you work with Legacy Homes, you can rely on top real estate agents/brokers who will help you navigate the process, starting with your goals and expectations for buying or selling all the way to the closing. With over a decade of experience in the real estate sector, Dan and Melisa are ready to assist you in your search (or in your sale) and to answer all your questions. Contact today!

FAQs

What do people want most in a real estate agent?

Reliability, transparency, and excellent communication and problem-solving skills are some of the most sought-after qualities.

Is it better to buy and sell with the same estate agent?

If the agent has the skills and experience of handling both sides, then this situation could work out. However, if you’re relocating to a different city, or if the sale proves to be too much for one person to handle, then you should work with two agents instead of one.

Why does a good real estate agent matter?

To help you achieve your home-buying goals while staying within your budget, a smart real estate agent will steer you through the home-search process with objectivity and valuable insight. For such a major milestone, you’ll only want to work with the best.