Don’t hire a real estate agent without DOING these 5 things.
Let’s say it like it is: Buying a home is a big deal.
In fact it’s likely to be one of the most important financial moves you make in your life which is why you wouldn’t just buy the first one you view right? You take your time to assess your priorities, you look at different options, you research the neighborhood… it’s a process.
And finding the right Real Estate professional who you can trust to help you on that journey should be too.
Making sure they are licensed and have a good portfolio & client recommendations is a great place to start but it’s not just about their real estate expertise, it’s also about finding the right fit for you and your needs.
Read on for TDO’s ultimate checklist for choosing a real estate agent:
1: MAKE YOU THE STARTING POINT
Before even beginning your research, take the time to think about what qualities are most important to you in your agent and what’s going to fit best with your needs and start from there. Think about everything from what availability hours suit you best, to what communication method (phone/email/text etc.) and style is going to get the best from you throughout this process.
An agent could be fantastic and well qualified but if their primetime business hours are in the morning and you are only available in the evenings, you’re setting yourself up for a logistical nightmare. Or if you are someone who needs a bit of tough love to get you moving, an agent with a softer approach who isn’t going to challenge you, probably won’t get the best results from you.
2: CHECK THEY ARE LICENSED:
This may seem obvious but in the digital age, this first step in your search is more important than ever. If you’re unsure you can contact your state’s department of real estate to verify an agents credentials as well as find out whether they’ve been subject to any serious complaints or disciplinary actions.
3: DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK THE TOUGH QUESTIONS:
It’s better to ask now than have regrets later. Make sure you ask about your potential agent’s experience, local area knowledge, current client load, specialisms, and portfolio as well as anything else that comes up for you.
And don’t be afraid to ask for references from previous clients, if an agent isn’t happy to provide these it could be considered a red flag.
4. AND ENSURE THEY ARE ASKING YOU THE RIGHT QUESTIONS:
A good real estate agent is one who is clear on their role in the process which is to use their expertise to guide and advise on how to best meet your goals and objectives. Do you have a hard deadline to move? Is maximizing sale value your main driver? Your priorities should define the approach an agent takes so if they are not asking these questions, then it’s not a good sign.
5. CHECK THEY ARE TECH-SAVVY:
Remember to ask any prospective agents how they would market your home. A professional listing agent should be happy to present a strategy outlining how they would approach all aspects of the sale from pricing to photography/videography utilizing appropriate technology to marketing.
With 9 out of 10 buyers using digital channels to search for their dream home and 50% actually purchasing a home they find online, it’s crucial that this marketing plan demonstrates proficiency in digital marketing across a range
THE BOTTOM LINE:
A “ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL” APPROACH ‘AINT GONNA CUT IT
You want to be working with a team who understand that your buying journey needs to be as unique as you are and are committed to understanding what’s important to you.
Keep your goals at the forefront and look for professionals whose mission is to use their expertise to facilitate rather the dominate the process.
Want to talk to TDO about how we can help get you on your buying or selling journey?
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