Finding the right real estate agent can be a challenge. Most people tend to go with someone they know or with a referral from a friend or family member. That’s a good route to take, but it’s not always what’s best for you. Buying or selling a home is a complex process with many moving parts. You need a real estate agent who does more than just contact other agents and push you through the financing process. You need someone who gets you and works hard for you as if you were their highest priority.
So, before you go with the first option handed to you, consider these seven crucial factors when choosing a real estate agent.
You connect with them.
It goes without saying that with any working relationship there needs to be a connection. You don’t need to be head over heels for your real estate agent, but you need to feel good when you’re around them and talking with them. You will be communicating with your agent often, so the conversations should be something you look forward to. Your real estate agent needs to understand you beyond just your home wishlist and budget. They need to be on the same page as you and understand where you’re coming from to find the home that fits you perfectly.
They respond quickly and are available.
Buying a home is a huge decision. The process can be stressful and time isn’t always on your side, especially in a hot real estate market. You need a real estate agent who notifies you quickly about available homes, updates, changes, and requirements. They also need to be available anytime you call. You need to feel like their most important priority when you talk with them. Now, it is important to understand that a good real estate agent will probably be working with several clients at once. But a great skill for a real estate agent is the ability to make a client feel like they are their only client.
They are proactive and forward thinking.
A lot can happen during the property buying process. There are new properties coming on the market constantly that could interest you. A good agent will not just wait for you to reach out to them, but will take initiative for you. Once you’ve chosen a property, there are even more steps that go into buying it. You know you’ve chosen the right real estate agent if they are always one step ahead making things as easy as possible for you. They need to be calling the seller’s agent to get updates and to negotiate and they need to be ready to jump into the next phase of the process.
They asked you to get pre-approved.
There are many real estate transactions that have fallen through because the buyer wasn’t pre-approved. Buying a home or property requires jumping over a lot of financial hurdles. A good real estate agent will make sure you talk to a mortgage professional first so that there are no surprises during the buying process. The pre-approval process will reveal any roadblocks in the way of buying a home, like credit requirements and financing. Getting pre-approved will also solidify your budget and put you at ease when you are searching for a potential new home.
They fight for you.
Buying a home or property is not as simple as it looks. You may find the perfect house, but find there are other people interested in it, too. Or you may want to offer a less than asking price for a house to get a great deal. A good real estate agent will negotiate for you to get the best price, sometimes saving thousands of dollars for you. They won’t break under pressure from other agents and they’ll stay on top of the lender to get things done on time.
They don’t give up.
Not every real estate transaction goes off without a hitch. In fact, it seems that most of the time there is some surprise or unexpected hoop to jump through. A good real estate agent will take it in stride and work hard to keep you in the game. When you want to give up and move on, they find a solution to clear the way. Many home buyers will credit their real estate agent for making it possible for them to buy their home. The right real estate agent will go out of their way to find creative ways to help you out.
They are honest about everything.
Honesty is one of the most important qualities for a real estate agent. The right real estate agent will be honest with you, even when it is hard. There is a lot of money in the balance on a real estate transaction. A good agent will be honest and open even if it means losing money on a potential deal. That means they’ll be truthful when it comes to your budget, the houses you want to look at, and the entire process of buying and selling. In the end, you’ll appreciate the honesty above everything else.
If you’re looking for a real estate agent that has your best interest at heart, then let us help. We’ve been representing home buyers and sellers for more than 30 years and we understand all the highs and lows of real estate. We’ll work hard for you and put you at ease, knowing we’ve got everything covered. We promise you’ll love working with us. Give us a call today to help you find your dream home!
