Here are six steps to finding a real estate agent who is friendly, experienced, and is looking out for your best interests as a house buyer:
1. Before looking for a real estate agent, speak with a lender.
Your first instinct may be to contact a real estate agent right away so you may begin looking at xpu ha houses for sale.
However, you should first contact lenders to obtain an idea of the mortgage programs that are available in your area and to be prequalified for a mortgage.
A mortgage pre-qualification, often known as a preapproval, determines how much house you can afford.
You risk hiring an agent merely to look at properties that a lender won’t authorize you to buy if you don’t first receive a pre-approval.
It’s not a certainty, though, because before you can close on a loan, lenders must review your application through stringent underwriting requirements.
However, a preapproval gives you an idea of how much you might be able to borrow based on your income, credit history, and current debt-to-income ratio (DTI).
You risk hiring an agent solely to look at homes that a lender will not approve you to buy if you don’t have one.
If you know you’re looking at homes within your budget from the start, you’ll have a better chance of finding one.
2. Seek agent references from family, friends, and neighbors.
We’re so used to Googling every topic that comes to mind that it’s understandable if your first thought is to look for real estate agents online.
However, nothing beats a good old-fashioned word-of-mouth recommendation when it comes to finding the proper agent.
Your friends and relatives will tell you information about an agent that you won’t find on their website, such as how attentive they were to emails and texts, how proactive they were in recommending properties, and their general demeanor.
Ideally, your realtor should have extensive knowledge of local market trends as well as an instinct for the types of houses that will best meet your wants and purchasing capacities.
Because you’ll be working with your real estate agent intimately throughout the homebuying process, it’s critical that you trust them.
The people closest to you have a sense for the personalities with whom you’ll get along best, and they can tell you what it’s like to work with a specific agency.
Your neighbors can also be helpful because the agent they employed is usually familiar with the region where you want to buy.
Ideally, your realtor should have extensive knowledge of local market trends as well as an instinct for the types of houses that will best meet your wants and purchasing capacities.
3. Request referrals from your previous agent.
If you’ve previously purchased a property but your previous realtor does not work in the region where you wish to relocate, inquire about any contacts they may have in the area.
Another agent may be able to point you in the direction of reputable real estate firms or may even know a local agent who would be ideal for you.
When it comes to the buying process, family references are excellent, but a colleague agent may have a different perspective on what makes someone great at their job.
Getting their professional advice might help you see all of your possibilities from a different perspective.
4. Research possible real estate agents using online reviews.
When you need to discover a real estate agent, a Google search will come in handy.
After you’ve compiled your list of recommendations, go online and look up their names. Check to see if other homebuyers agree with your friends and family.
When reading real estate agent evaluations, consider the following questions:
- Does this agent have a lot of positive feedback?
- Are they known for their ability to close deals?
- Do they provide emotional and logistical support?
- Do buyers claim to be quick to respond to questions?
- Is it common for them to work with buyers in your age group?
An realtor who works with clients who have similar income and lifestyle needs to you may be better able to predict your preferences and suggest homes that may pique your interest.
5. Before hiring an agent, meet with them in person.
You should meet with many agents before deciding on one, just as you should apply for a mortgage with at least three lenders.
Even if a friend or relative introduces you to an agent they know personally, this is still true. It doesn’t mean an agent is the best person to represent you just because he or she is a buddy of your father’s.
Inquire about the types of properties they specialize in and the types of clientele they generally work with while speaking with different agents.
You don’t want to sign on with an agent that mostly works with luxury purchasers if you’re searching for a tiny starting house.
Inquire about the types of properties they specialize in and the types of clientele they generally work with while speaking with different agents.
Because real estate agents are paid on commission, they may be less attentive than you’d want due to their focus on larger transactions. You want to work with someone who will fully support you.
Also inquire about their working approaches. Is it true that they are “always on”? Is it possible to contact them after hours with questions? What percentage of the time do they leave the office?
Consider your expectations for your real estate agent and ensure that their approach is compatible with your goals.
Home buyers are frequently so eager to start looking for a home that they rush into a connection with a real estate agent who isn’t a good fit for their needs.
6. Make sure your agent’s license is current.
To legally advise and represent you on a transaction, real estate agents must have current, valid licenses.
Check the National Association of Realtors (NAR) database to see if an agent is licensed before you commit to a relationship.
If your state’s association has a website, you can check for their credentials there, or you can call the association and ask for assistance.
Hopefully, any agent you are referred to has a current and legitimate license. However, double-checking is simple and quick, and it might save you a lot of time and aggravation if something isn’t right.
Why is it so important to hire a professional real estate agent?
A smart real estate agent does more than just assist you in locating your ideal house. They will also represent you during the purchasing process. They can assist you come up with a reasonable starting offer and create a competitive offer in a competitive market.
An agent can provide perspective if you miss out on your dream house or the inspection process uncovers huge red flags because they’ve seen so many deals succeed — and fail.
Your real estate agent will also negotiate the purchase price and other specifics, such as who will undertake certain repairs and whether the seller would assist with closing fees (which can be up to 5 percent of your mortgage).
In a nutshell, you require the services of a reliable real estate agent. That’s why you should begin your search in person rather than online.
You should get real estate agent suggestions from people you already know, even if you started your house hunt using virtual tours on Zillow and Trulia.
The more information you know on a real estate agent, the better informed you’ll be — and the more effective your home-buying experience will be.
Finally, some thoughts
The thrill of buying a home may make you want to hire a real estate agent as soon as possible.
However, because this is such a significant relationship, it’s worth taking the time to find out who is best suited to represent you and who you’ll want to work with throughout an exciting — but also stressful and emotional — process.
