Buying or selling a house can be one of the biggest financial decisions in your life. You need to choose a good real estate agent with the experience to guide you through the complicated process. A good real estate agent (or realtor) is an experienced professional agent who will listen to your concerns and know the market well. They should also negotiate on your behalf to make sure you are getting the best deal that you can. The following is a brief guide to choosing a good real estate agent near you.
1. Find a real estate agent who works in your area
When you want to find a good real estate agent near you, you should first ask around. Ask your neighbors or acquaintances who recently purchased or sold a house. After getting their advice, read all the agents’ comments and recommendations available online. The agent should work in your area so that they know the area where you want to buy or sell. Agents living and working in your area will be wise to the best communities and price trends. Local agents will also know some small details such as where the best schools are, commuting time, etc.
2. Check the license of the real estate agent
The real estate agent you find should be properly licensed. There are lists of licensed agents online in each state. When going through the list of agents to contact, you should make sure that each agent you interview has a legal license to buy and sell real estate in your state. Any continuing education courses they are attending can also be checked by you if necessary, which will help you understand what their focus is.
3. Interview your real estate agent
An interview allows you to really get an idea about what the agent’s personality is and what their values are. This is the person who will guide you through the stressful and important process. You need to feel comfortable talking to them. You also need to know if they are willing to tell you the truth, not conceal the bad news. You should ask them a lot of questions during the interview. One of the first questions to ask is how long they have been dealing with sales, contracts, and negotiations for their clients. You need to ask if they work alone or in a team, ask about any planned holidays or other commitments, and ask what other properties they have sold. After meeting with the agent, don’t forget to ask for a reference list as well. You can also call a few clients on the list to make sure they have stellar reviews.
4. Check the market knowledge an agent has
A good agent should be up on the real estate market in your area. Experienced agents can give you a feel for the market and tell you how long the house usually sells and the price difference of the sold price and the asking price. This can help you decide how to price your house when you sell or buy a house.
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