Finding Your Real Estate Agent

Who’s Your Agent?

Buying or selling a home is, normally, one of our bigger financial decisions in life. With such a big decision, you really want to make sure you have a reliable, trustworthy source to guide you. As of November 2022, there are more than 3 million people in the United States alone that hold a Real Estate license according to Homelight. That’s a lot of agents to choose from! Here are some variables to consider when picking your agent.

1. Expert in the Location. An agent who covers a large radius might have less familiarity on the immediate location that you are seeking out. It is important that your agent knows not only the area, but the current home prices in that area. Fluctuations in pricing can happen quickly and your agent needs to be versed in what your current and/or new home is worth so that you can make the best financial decision possible. Some ‘Find an Agent’ websites may connect you to any agent in the vicinity. If you are crossing borders, you may want to consult an agent that can direct you to a proven professional in the area based on their statistics and reputation.

2. Not Afraid to Hustle. A good agent is not afraid to door knock, call, mail, or get on social media and do a few videos. When you list your home, you want an agent that will contact the neighbors, the town, even those out of state to find you the right buyer at the right price. They will market your listing through and through. When you are buying, you want someone who will find the perfect home for you- even if it is not on the market yet! Beyond that, when the deal is going through they need to be diligent. There are deadlines and negotiations that need to happen quickly and correctly to protect your investment.

3. Highly Motivated. Motivation is key in a lot of areas of life. Having a proactive agent will mean that you know about the houses first, see them first and get your offer in quickly when it counts. A lot of the agents actions can determine if you will get the house or not, so keep that in mind when making your selection.

4. Negotiation skills. In recent years, we have seen a market that, especially on the buy side, you need top negotiation skills to get your foot in the door. There are different negotiation techniques a realtor can use to get your offer at the top of the list. Beyond the offer, negotiating terms becomes a key point in how much comes out of both parties' pockets at the end of the deal. Plus, many key factors that are important to you on the buyer or seller end can be negotiated into the terms when needed.

5. A People Person. It is important that you are comfortable contacting your agent. Buying/selling a home is a very personal experience. Maybe this is your dream home on the line, or you're selling your childhood home, or moving out of the only town you have ever know! Whatever the reason may be, it likely will jerk at some of your feels, and you want someone that can be there for the contractual aspect but also the emotional side of the situation as well.

6. A Knowledge Seeker. Knowledge is power they say! Well, I like to believe that is normally a true statement. Being up to date on current matters is vital in this industry. Interest rates, home values, availability, it is all ever changing. It Is important that your agent knows the day-to-day details and does their research regularly.

7. High Attention to Detail: We are dealing with legal contracts here and strict deadlines. There are minor details that can make or break a deal, and characteristics or variables of a home that you probably want to be aware of and consider during your search or sale. Work with someone who will dot the I’s and cross those T’s every time.

8. Honesty and Compassion. Above all your agent is a person you need to trust. Someone that puts their all in for you. They will give you all the information they have and that you need to make the best decision. Even the information you may not want to hear. Every client (the person, not the deal) means a lot to a caring agent- and without that other variables just aren’t enough for them to make the cut.

Of course, reviews and statistics can be found online. You may want to do some research and pick a few agents to interview to find the one you would prefer to work with. The brokerage they work for can often play a role in how well they work for you, just due simply to the resources they have available to them. Some agencies have better training, or materials, or other agent resources that make for a better experience. There are so many variables, but the most important thing is that you can trust the agent.

If you would like assistance finding an agent in your area, feel free to reach out! We can help connect you to a proven professional that knows your neck of the woods.

Happy housing!