Expert Tips To Help You Find A Great Real Estate Agent

Most people only speak with one real estate agent, even though a lot of experts say you should interview at least a few. So, how do you pick a good one, and how do you select prospective agents to interview in the first place?tips on finding a great real estate agent

Let’s start with the selection process, after all there are about 9,500 real estate agents in Orlando to choose from. Here are three ways to narrow the field.

First, personal referrals are a tried and true method of selecting a prospective real estate agent. Most of us probably know someone that has purchased or sold real estate in the last six months or so. Ask your friends, family or co-workers who they used and what they thought of them. Second, if you are new to the area or cannot get a good personal referral try review sites like Yelp or Angie’s List. Third, try Googling your neighborhood or town for real estate such as “Orlando real estate” to see who pops up. Odds are, an agent that shows up in these results is tech savvy and it likely means more experienced.

Now that you have a few agents to interview what should you look for in a good agent? Ask them questions about their qualifications:

“How long have you been in real estate?”
“How many homes do you sell each year?”

What is a good answer to these questions is hard to say. Let’s face it someone who has only been in real estate for a year may be a much better fit for you than someone who has been around for ages. If a more direct connection with your agent is what you are looking for, you may not want a big team that sells 50 or 100 properties a year. If you like the team approach, then you may not want to speak with an agent that works alone. I do think if an agent is selling fewer than six properties a year they may not be very “in touch” with the market. Here in Orlando, a huge percentage of the real estate agents sold fewer than two properties last year. Ask about the market, and see what they can tell you about what is going on in your area.

If you are selling ask them to put together a comparative market analysis (CMA) and check out the properties they are comparing to your home. Try not to list with an agent just because they gave you the highest value for your property. Buying or selling, you want an agent that asks you questions too. If they don’t know what your situation is, how can they know how to best help you? Keep this in mind too. Once you select a real estate agent, you may be working closely with them for several weeks or even several months. Ask yourself if this is someone you want to spend that much time working with.

How to Find the Best Real Estate Agent for You

Finding a realtor can be confusing, disheartening, and frustrating among other things. Here are a few simple rules to help you find the absolute best real estate agent for you and your housing needs:

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1.       Interview Several Agents

First, make sure you interview several agents. Depending on whether you are looking for a buyers agent or a sellers agent, there are different sets of questions you may want to ask. If you are looking for a buyers agent, be sure not to rush into signing the Buyer’s agreement form without first looking at properties together. The more agents you interview, the better your ultimate choice will be.

2.       Make sure they are Licensed

Make sure your agent has all the right certifications and licenses. Bear in mind that not all real estate agents are actually realtors (which requires a license). It can often be difficult to know what you’re looking for but look online for the state in which your agent/realtor is located and check the required licenses; these may include CRS (Certified Residential Specialist), ABR (Accredited Buyers Representative), and SRES (Senior Real Estate Specialist). Reviewing the license will also let you know how long your real estate professional has been in business.

3.       Obtain references

While references do not necessarily guarantee the best realtor for you specifically, they do create some familiarity with the realtor and their previous works and successes. If you have a friend, colleague, or family member that has recently dealt with a realtor, it does not hurt to ask them a few questions to learn more before making your decision. Real Estate Agents when asked should also be able to provide their own list of references that you can call to ask about the reliability of the agent.

4.       They should be online

A good agent must be online. Most home buyers in today’s market see their homes and prospective communities online for the first time. Your agent’s profile should include pictures with each house listed. Checking the online listings will give you a better idea of how busy your realtor is, whether or not they have been successful in the past, and will also let you know that you can contact your agent via email or other online methods. It also reassures you that your agent is up-to-date.

5.       Ensure your agent in Knowledgeable

Ask your agent questions about the neighborhood in which the house of interest is located. He/she should be able to tell you about the best schools, places of interest, and the potential negatives of the area. They should also be able to provide information about other homes for sale in the area off the top of their heads. This means that they really know the area and are good at their job. Another good trick is to ask where your agent lives. If they live and work in the same general location, they have an added advantage of having personal experience and will be more knowledgeable than someone from the outside.

6.       Experienced Agents

Find out if your agent is part-time or full-time. Do they have another job to concentrate on or is this their main livelihood? If they do work full-time, ask them how long they have been working full-time. This can give you an idea of how experienced your agent is. Newcomers will not be as seasoned as someone with years in the industry.

There are many other important factors when looking for a real estate agent to help you buy or sell a house and we have just covered a few of the most important points. Please bear in mind that ultimately, you want someone who you feel you will work well with, will be available to take your questions, and will fight to make you happy. No matter who you pick, you will be taking a risk but doing the research is a good way to make the best decision possible. Good Luck!

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