How Do You Choose an Agent?

How do you choose an agent?

In 2015, 41 percent of homebuyers found their agent through a referral and almost 7 in 10 buyers went with the first agent they met. Don’t fall into that trap. Shop around for the right agent for you and be sure to keep these factors in mind as you search:

• Experience
• Location
• Track Record
• Personality

Experience
Experience is the most important thing to look at when you choose an agent. You want someone who is very familiar with the market you’re looking in and well connected. An agent with a lot of connections will be able to alert you to new sales and deals before they become common knowledge.
Location
Your agent should live or work in the area they represent. They’ll have a much deeper understanding of the neighborhoods, the amenities, and what areas are right for you if they truly have roots there.
Track Record
Don’t be shy about asking how many transactions they’ve closed in the last year, the average prices of the transactions, and any other questions about their success as an agent. Ask for testimonials, look at their Yelp page or agent profile page to see what people are saying about them.
Personality
You can only determine this by having face-to-face conversations with your agent. An agent can be great on paper, but your personalities might clash. This is someone who will be assisting you with one of the biggest purchases of your life and who you will have to be in constant contact with for months. Make sure they’re someone who gets you and who you have a comfortable rapport with.