What Does An Agent Do And Why Do I Need One?
Buying a house can be a very scary thing. After all, you’re making a huge investment when it comes to your time and money. The last thing you want is to get stuck with a final purchase you’re not completely ecstatic about.
Most people have no clue how the real estate market works, many rely on agents to act as a middleman when they’re in the market, connecting them to people selling their homes.
However, who you’re using as an agent can have a very real impact on how much money you’re going to be spending when the final papers are signed. It’s important not to waste thousands of dollars by picking an agent that’s subpar or not the perfect match your specific situation.
What To Look For In An Agent
Finding a good agent is vital. Here are a few traits you should look for as you’re shopping around.
1. Familiarity With The Location
Don’t assume that because a realtor is based out of a certain area that most of their business is based in that area as well. In order to make sure you’re looking at homes that will be the best possible fit for you, you need an agent that is well acquainted with your specific part of town, both in the sense of local demographics and also with what homes and amenities are available nearby.
One of the easiest ways to do this is by asking for a list of statements or testimonials from their past clients to be used as references and checking out where those sales were made and what the people involved have to say about your prospective agent. Some people feel uncomfortable doing this, but with so much money riding on getting a good deal, put the awkwardness aside and make sure you know what you’re getting into before signing anything.
Someone can say they know everything about a certain neighborhood, but numbers tend to be more accurate. If you’re looking to buy, you’ve got something the agent wants: business. Treat meeting with an agent like you’re interviewing them for a job and if something seems off, investigate other options.
2. Attention To The Tiny Things
Look for an agent that knows the minor details about every house you’re in. That means that they care enough to do the research. It’s the small things that count and a good real estate agent should know each house that they’re trying to sell inside and out.
If they don’t, it can be an indicator that you probably won’t end up getting the best deal possible.
3. Connections
One benefit of placing your trust in an agent that’s affiliated with an agency means that they’re likely to have a much larger network within the industry. That means that they’ll have better access to a list of available home and additional agents that can help them out when you need it, thus increasing the likelihood of finding a good deal. However, be warned that the bigger and more successful an agent is, the more they’ve got going on, meaning they might not be as accessible as some other options.
4. Find Someone You Feel Comfortable Trusting
If you don’t feel like you can trust an agent, end the relationship there. Look for someone that comes off as genuine the first time you meet them. After all, going with your gut isn’t always a bad thing and you want to find someone that has your back.
5. Find Someone That’s Tech Savvy
In the world of technology that we live in today, it’s important that your real estate agent is familiar with using technology to communicate, especially if that’s something that’s important to you. If they’re using the internet as an asset for their clients, it’s a good sign that they’re putting in the effort to keep up to date with new trends. Plus, it can become a real drag when someone is difficult to reach if their e-mail and phone skills are lacking. If you feel like an agent’s strategy is a bit outdated, on to the next one. There are plenty of fish in the sea.
6. They Should Put You First
Obviously an agent’s paycheck comes down to their commission check. As a result, some seem to be more interested in selling homes as quickly as possible, rather than developing an approach that better fits the client’s financial interests.
If an agent isn’t bending over backwards to help you with the buying process, they’re not doing their entire job. If they’re making all of the decisions for you, they’re not doing their entire job.
The best agents know how to make sure their client is happy and comfortable with the entire process, knowing their commission and future customers will come with happy clients. If at any point you feel neglected or forced by your agent, find someone more willing to listen to your specific concerns.
7. They Should Help Educate You
The ideal agent doesn’t just make decisions for you — they educate you on all of the options and then let you make a decision as to whether or not you purchase a home for yourself. Buying a house is a huge, often stressful, experience and your goal shouldn’t be to rush through the process. Make sure that your agent is willing to take the time to explain all aspects of the process.
Advice coming from people like home inspectors, lawyers, loan agents, and other various outside professionals shouldn’t be ignored by your agent. A second opinion is always a good thing and your agent should always be open to providing you resources for outside help.
8. Communication
Much like a romantic relationship, successful communication is one of the most essential things to a positive real estate experience. Your agent should constantly keep you in the loop, listening to your concerns and then actually doing something about them. Don’t just stay in the same situation if you start to feel ignored.
A Few Quick Things To Watch Out For
If your agent exhibits any of the following signs, you might need to avoid them or break it off.
1. You Have Trouble Contacting Them
If you feel like your agent is ignoring you, they’re probably not a horrible person, it’s likely they’re just busy. Regardless of the excuse, they don’t have enough time to give you their best effort, find someone else.
2. Â Lack Of Professionalism
If an agent looks sloppy, is constantly late, or always seems in a rush, chances are they treat the rest of their professional life in the same way, cutting corners when it’s easier. It’s important to find someone that treats you with respect, rather than from someone who always seems a little distracted.
3. They Don’t Listen To Your Needs
Throughout the process of buying a home, you should be 100% comfortable with what’s happening. If you’ve voiced concerns and haven’t gotten answers or seen an effort to address them for quite some time, find someone else.
4. Inexperience
There’s nothing wrong with an agent that’s new to the industry, as long as they know what they’re talking about. Meet with a few agents before deciding on one. This will help you determine which agent’s skill sets will be the best asset for you, the buyer.
The Simplest Solution
The simplest and wisest decision to make when looking for a trustworthy agent is to use Movoto. Movoto selects the best agents and sees to it that they personally fill each of the boxes in the checklist above. To find an amazing agent and get one step closer towards purchasing the home of your dreams, go to https://www.movoto.com/about/agents/ today.
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