- Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
There are infinite challenges when you are selling your house or buying a new one, but one of the unexpected challenges can be finding the right real estate to work with. Your real estate agent is the person who opens the world of real estate up for you – the gatekeeper, in a sense – and it’s also someone you will be spending a lot of time with as you brave the market. You can be using the real estate agent that your friends swear was the best they ever worked with, but still feel that something is not quite there. Part of what makes a client/agent relationship is personal; the feeling that your real estate agent understands you and what you want. And part of it is professional; does your real estate agent specialize in the area you’re interested in? Does he or she have the kind of track record you are looking for? Here are a few things to keep in minding when looking for that real estate agent that’s going to be a great fit for you:
- What’s their performance record like? Don’t be shy to ask your realtor about their performance history. Ask them to bring along a copy of their MLS “inventory report” to see how many homes they’ve sold, or ask them outright about the number of home sales they have that are active, closed or in escrow. Ask the potential agent what kinds of homes they’ve sold to see if they have experience in properties similar to yours.
- Ask for a reference. You should also feel comfortable requesting a list of references and make sure you take the time to call them. It might seem intimidating, but most real estate agents will have them, and you’ll get a good sense of what the person is like by talking to other home- buyers or sellers who have worked with them.
- Talk about pricing. Ask your realtor to value your home and make sure to ask them about the methodology they used to arrive at that figure. Find out how much they know about comparable properties in that price range to ensure that they understand your market.
- Find out what the plan is. Your real estate agent should have one, and you’ll be able to gauge whether you have compatible views by finding out what the plan is.
- Finally, remember that your real estate agent needs to be a good salesperson. Does this person have the necessary sales skills to sell your home, or do you feel that their sales style doesn’t jive with what you had in mind?
By making sure that you are working with an agent that you like, and someone who brings the necessary skills to the table, you can make your home- buying or selling experience more enjoyable and rewarding than you ever thought possible.
Heleen Jacobsen
Broker of Record with InfoMarket Group GMAC Real Estate
www.infomarketgroup.com
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