| What to Look for in a Real Estate Professional |
Since you will be spending a lot of time with an agent, it's important you choose one you feel comfortable with, who is responsive to your needs and who compliments your personality. Here are some guidelines:
Get referrals from family and friends that you trust. Seek out an experienced agent with a known reputation – look at credentials, track records and awards received. Interview at least three agents – you will go to great lengths to find a doctor, dentist or even a hair stylist, so don't pick the first agent that you come in contact with. Seek out someone who is a member of the Board of Realtors® . Find someone who is continuing their education – a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Certified Residential Broker (CRB), a Graduate of the Realtors Institute (GRI) or an Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) – this shows that the Realtor is interested in the business long-term and is willing to invest in their career.
Questions to ask when getting a referral
These questions will help you learn what you need to know about an agent:
What were they like to deal with? How hard did they work for you? Did they get you a good price? Were there any complications? Did they always tell you the truth? Were they always looking out for you or just interested in getting paid? Would you use their services again?
Questions to ask when interviewing an agent
You should ask these questions before making a decision:
- How many buyers have you successfully represented in the last six months?
- Can I have the names and phone numbers of three to six of your most recent buyer clients?
- What professional designations do you have?
- Are you fully automated with your own personal computer, FAX machine, copier, pager, voice mail, etc?
- What is your commission? Or do you have hourly rates or a set fee?
- Do you have a list of home inspectors, insurance agents and reputable lenders for me to consider?
- What clauses will be included in our offer to protect us as buyers?
- Will you try to sell me one of your listed properties before you show me listings from other real estate companies?
- Do you have information about For Sale By Owner properties?
- How will you help me save money?
- How will you protect my interests, and why should I hire you rather than another agent?
Now that you've chosen a few agents and interviewed them, ask yourself the following questions to narrow your choice down:
- Did they return your phone calls?
- Did they ask you questions to determine what you want/need in a home?
- Did they perform a financial analysis to help you determine how much you can afford?
- Did they suggest financing methods?
- Did they seem knowledgeable about the community?
- Did they explain things clearly?
- Did you feel comfortable with them?
Whoever received the most "yes's" should be the one you choose – especially if the last question was a definite yes! |
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