Buying or selling a house is already an extremely daunting task, let alone having to add the burden of choosing the right real estate agent on top of that.
Sounds impossible, doesn’t it? Having a good real estate agent would literally make all the difference between that awful feeling one might get when buying or selling a home. While online reviews are really helpful, they need to be balanced by several other factors to ensure you work with the right professional.
In this article, we’ll look at some things to look for when choosing a real estate agent, beyond reviews.
Hidden Gems Buried Beyond the Reviews
Let’s clarify this first: Real estate website reviews are great for giving you a look at the kind of service you can expect from your realtor, but it might be biased or tell half the story in the realtor’s favor.
Other aspects, such as certifications and professional affiliations, may also be considered while considering a realtor.
And what factors are we looking for if not for good reviews and word of mouth?
There are also several regulatory bodies that could vouch for their registered realtors; the members of the National Association of Realtors, for example, often manifest a sense of commitment towards ethical standards and professional growth.
Such affiliations can be considered a reliable indicator for the trustworthiness and reliability of the real estate agent.
Speciality designations also exist, showing the speciality of a realtor in specific niches of the real estate field. Some of these are the following:
- CRS (Certified Residential Specialist)
- GRI (Graduate, REALTOR® Institute)
- CLHMS (Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist).
These are only examples, but there are many more, each showing the specific niche a realtor may be most competent at.
Another important factor you should discuss is the reputation of your realtor in that neighborhood. It is always good when you have people who you can vouch for, recommend one to friends, family members, or even neighbors. A realest known for great reputation by locals often well-informed on the specific market of the region he or she specializes in.
Interviewing Your Realtor: What Questions to Ask
Alright, so you have narrowed it down now to the list of best realtors suited for your needs; what next?
Interviewing possible realtors and what you should ask would probably be the only way to really get an idea of what you are going to get in each case.
Here is what you should ask:
Ask the number of years they have been working in the real estate market, especially in your local neighborhood. That way, a more experienced realtor might be well versed with market trends and local regulations.
Ask for the realtor’s knowledge on current market trends when it comes to pricing and interest rates or the inventory level. A good realtor would give you important information and advice based on experience.
An efficient negotiator will get the very best for your money. Ask them whether they negotiate in the offers or contracts so freely.
Find out if their method of communicating is as good as what you think should be applied. When home buying and selling occur, communication needs to take a center position.
And as a final step in your interview, ask for references from previous clients to obtain direct feedback about the realtor. Word of mouth is also one of the most honest ways of obtaining reliable information
Referrals and Recommendations
No one is arguing with the fact that online reviews are a great source of information, but people are more than willing to get scammed and deal with fake information if that’s all they are doing.
Apart from this, make sure to ask for referrals and recommendations to some extent because these can paint a very real picture of a realtor’s character and capacity. There are always more people that have had a great experience with a certain realtor or realtors than there are those that don’t and therefore they are always more likely to recommend them.
First of all, they should turn to friends or relatives, co-workers, or previous clients and ask for referrals. Seek out those who can also share similar experiences on real estate, like purchasing a house, selling a house, being in the same locality or property class and other matters related to it.
But do not rule out online sites yet, you might meet some really good people to speak to on a platform/ via social media who have transacted with genuine realtors. There are online platforms where people interested in real estate are also present; you can seek their opinion and share yours.
Look Out For Red Flags
Well, you have selected your real estate agent and the time is ripe to ink the deal. oh, we are out of the woods now!
Nope. You’re still missing the most important part: signing the contract.
This will make it as plain as possible if all the terms and conditions are read and understood just before signing. The more a contract is written in a way that leaves a lot of room for interpretation, the sketchier the contract is likely to be. Thus, when you are reading, be very sensitive to such things as the use of broad terms and conditions.
Avoid getting those fees so steep because they do increase your overhead costs in a way that reduces your profit margin. Second, do not go for those extra concealed charges and hazy agency structures.
It is therefore important to grasp the quantum of liability of the one who breached the duty where mistakes or negligence happen. Avoid the clauses that release a realtor from responsibility in relation to the damages.
And as an added precaution—just in case—because it is always safe to go overboard before signing, you can even consult an attorney to review the contract for you.
Conclusion
While using the recommendations of friends and acquaintances together with online ratings, it is necessary to go deeper into the realtor’s credentials, his or her reputation, and experience. It’s always said and remains true that the right realtor can make your home buying or selling process easier.
Here are some key points to keep in mind:
- Professional affiliations and certifications: Pay attention to the realtors who associated with some trustworthy organizations and obtained necessary certificates indicating their professionalism and adequate knowledge.
- Local reputation: People should consult friends, relatives, or neighbors for recommendations. That is a trusted realtor from the locality who will be conversant with the area.
- Interviewing: During the interviews with potential realtors, discuss their work experience, their understanding of the market, their ability to negotiate, how they communicate with clients and provide references to know more about the candidate.
- Referrals: To get honest input from more people about realtors’ competency, consult your network.
- Contract review: It is recommended to read the contract until the end so that the client avoids such situations as obscurity of the conditions, high commissions, or shifting of the responsibilities of the realtor.
These are the steps that may help boost your chances of hiring a realtor who leads you through the process effortlessly and fulfilling the real estate dream