5 Tips on Choosing the Right Real Estate Agent for You

Buying or selling a home is an exciting experience for anyone. While there is the thrill of the hunt and the excitement of the deal, doing it is no small feat. It is one of the biggest financial decisions of your life and can also be complicated and stressful if you don’t have the right real estate agent to help you out through the process.

With the real estate industry at its lucrative best, house hunting, buying, and selling has increased, and with virtual real estate viewings in popular demand, the sector is booming. As a result, real estate agents too are being sought out by homebuyers and investors to help them make an informed decision and ease out the entire process.

Choosing the right real estate agent is one of the most important decisions that you will make when you’re ready to buy or sell a home. A good agent can help you navigate the buying process with minimal stress, whereas a not-so-good agent might make the process harder on you (and your pocket) than it needs to be.

Finding and choosing a real estate agent is a tough job; rapport is all important when it comes to your real estate agent and your agent needs to be able to safeguard your financial securities. But with so many brokerages and agents out there to choose from, finding a perfect fit may be more of a challenge than you expected.

Working with a top agent who is experienced and trustworthy can go a long way in ensuring your property sells at a good, worthy price, or that you buy for the best price in the market. So, to help you with the selection process, we let you in on ways homebuyers and investors can make sure that the real estate agent they’re working with is the right one for them.

Choose the Person, Not the Experience

Always remember to choose an agent who works for you and with you, instead of choosing one based solely on experience. While experience is a good thing to have, it’s not everything. You will be spending a lot of time with that agent and you need to mesh, therefore, choose someone relatable and real and one who talks well and is a good negotiator.

Rule Out the Red Flags

Just as important as knowing what you do want in an agent is knowing what you don’t want in an agent. Good agents have patience on their side, so any agent that’s looking to push a property – that’s a huge red flag. Be cautious of agents who try to push, especially for a specific property or if there’s some kind of incentive for him/her. Look out for other warning signs, like agents speaking vaguely about their experience or any signs of dishonesty, however subtle.

Interview At Least 3 Agents

When hiring a real estate agent, don’t settle on the first agent you meet. By talking to multiple agents, you’ll be able to compare and contrast to find someone who will be a good fit. Handle it like a job interview — because it is. While you might have a front-runner based on a referral or local reputation, ask each of the three agents the same questions and compare their responses.

Find Someone Who Works Full-Time

While there are competent part-time agents who sell properties, it is crucial that you hire someone who can show your home at varying hours or – if you are a buyer – can take you out to see properties at a time that is convenient for you. Ask your real estate agent whether they work full-time – those who do tend to take their jobs more seriously and are generally more flexible when it comes to showing your home.

Seek Referrals from Other Home Owners

Despite the technology that seems to take over much of the searching for a home, the right real estate agent is still a human-to-human choice. Referral is best. There's no bigger compliment to an agent than a referral from a past client. Ask homeowners who they would recommend. When faced with a seemingly endless number of options, having someone point you in the direction of an agent they had a positive, successful experience with is invaluable.

Even if you've retained someone you believe is an ideal agent, think twice before signing an exclusivity agreement. While your agent might be competent, if you are a seller, the more agents you have that can potentially show and sell your home, the better the odds of the sale. Another thing you can do to seek out a good real estate agent is to go for virtual site visits and virtual open houses, where you can see them at what they do best. You will be in a relationship with your listing agent for a long time, therefore, it is important to choose one that you like and can relate to.