Choosing the RIGHT Real Estate Agent for you

Buying a house isn’t just as simple as picking a carton of milk from a grocery store. The same is true with selling your home. It’s one of the biggest financial decisions that one will ever make. This is the main reason why real estate agents exist – to guide you through the complicated process of buying and selling a property. 

Since a realtor’s expertise is vital in the process, hiring one is something that you should give major consideration. With thousands of real estate agents in the market, how do you sift through all of them to know who is the right realtor for you? Here are tips that you should know.

1. Get Pre-Approval - First things first, get preapproved for a mortgage. Speak to a lender to know how much you can afford for a home. A good agent can provide several referrals for you!! Agents begin the shopping process once you've secured your pre-approval. Plus, this will determine the price range of homes that you can afford for more efficient shopping.

• Identify your target home - Know what kind of home you want. Identify the location, size, number of bedrooms, and neighborhood you desire. Also, understand which segment of the market your home of choice fits into. This will help you identify the real estate agent with the right specialization to help you in the process. 

• Ask your sphere for referrals - Your friends and family would be a great place to start your search. Ideally, you want people you trust to give you recommendations. Their experiences with their realtors will most likely give you unbiased referrals. 

• Research potential candidates - Do not just rely on others’ referrals, do your homework too. Start by looking for members of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). These realtors abide by the code of ethics of the organization. Examine their online presence, reviews, and past transactions. It would also help to ask for references.

• Find someone who is active in the area - A realtor who is experienced in the area of your choice is most probably your best bet. Look for a realtor who is trained and certified in the area. Their familiarity with the nuances in the market you are buying or selling at is something that you will need to get the best out of your purchase.

Hiring a real estate agent when buying or selling a property truly matters in today’s red hot real estate market. You need an expert who can help you navigate the tedious paperwork and complex negotiations; someone you are comfortable working with, and someone you can trust!