Looking to buy or sell a property? Stop! Before choosing a real estate agent there are some things you need to do first. In this piece, we’re going to look at the four key things you should know to begin.
Ideally, you want a real estate expert on your side. The right real estate agent can make the process of finding and buying a home immensely easy for you, whereas the wrong agent is most likely to ruin your home-buying journey. The same holds true when selling your home. Let’s jump in.
4 Things to Consider Before Choosing a Real Estate Agent
Buying a home is an emotional journey for most first-time home buyers, and hence one would want an agent that understands their needs, likes, and dislikes thoroughly. If you are struggling to make a decision, given below are four things you should consider before choosing a real estate agent.
1. Are They Tech-savvy?
Good real estate agents are well-versed in all things tech, as the home buying process is getting influenced through digital means. Virtual showings, virtual open houses, online listings, and digital documentation have immensely digitized the entire home-buying process, and the agent you choose should be on top of their game.
While choosing an agent, be on the lookout for their experience in digital listing and online deal closing. It is also a good idea to ask them if they use CRM software. Real estate CRM helps agents manage all of their customer data, listing information, and contracts online, and knowing that your agent has invested in it would convey their commitment to efficiency.
2. Do They Have Positive Reviews?
Before choosing a real estate agent, you need to make sure that their previous and current clients have had a positive experience with them. To do so, it is a good idea to check their online reviews, but be sure to take these with a grain of salt as those reviews may not be authentic.
A great way to determine the authenticity of your agent’s reviews is to personally try to contact their previous clients and ask for their input. You could also ask for recommendations from friends and family as these would be reviews that you can trust and wouldn’t have to verify.
3. Are They Experienced?
Whether you are looking to build or buy an existing home you should have an experienced agent on your side. If your chosen agent has been in the business for a nice, long time, they’ll have been a greater number of real estate transactions. That means they’ve seen it all! This, of course, means they’ll be better equipped to help you.
If you end up choosing a real estate agent who doesn’t have the experience, there are a large number of “surprises” that might just happen. Let’s be honest, no one needs that right now.
4. Are They Proactive and Reliable?
Before choosing a real estate agent, you must be sure that they are doing this as a full-time profession or engaging in real estate on a part-time basis. You wouldn’t want a real estate agent who already has another full-time job and wouldn’t be able to give you the time and attention you deserve. Choosing a real estate agent who is proactive is a necessity.
In addition to being proactive, your chosen real estate agent also needs to be reliable and someone who you can count on. Being flaky isn’t an attractive trait in anyone and let alone in a real estate agent. Your chosen agent should be able to meet your obligations on time and be consistent in their approach.
Conclusion
Choosing a great real estate agent is crucial because they bring expertise, market knowledge, and negotiation skills to the table. They can accurately price properties, navigate complex transactions, and provide valuable insights into neighborhoods. A skilled agent ensures a smoother buying or selling process, saving time, reducing stress, and potentially maximizing financial outcomes.
If you are choosing one for the first time please pay attention to the above-mentioned considerations. Then you will be able to find a real estate agent that you can trust and have a great relationship with.
