How to Find the Right Real Estate Agent
A real estate agent comes in handy when you want to look for office space for your business or to buy or sell a home. This is because they know the industry like the back of their hand. They really help you save time that you would have spent hunting for hot deals or buyers. However, you should be careful when choosing a real estate agent. This is due to the fact that there are many agents in the marketplace. Some of them are only concerned about the commission that they will get when the deal is closed. Here are some tips that can help you select the best real estate agent.
1. Stick to Registered Agents Only
When you search for real estate agents on the internet, you will get thousands of answers. It’s advisable you filter your search so you are only able to choose from a pool of registered agents. Some agents in the real estate industry don’t have the license that shows they are registered by the government. Doing business with an agent who is registered is risky because you might lose your money when the deal goes soar. An agent who has nothing to hide should not hesitate in showing you his license of registration. And some licenses are specific to commercial/business properties and some to residential. Be careful to look for the right fit for your needs.
2. Request for Referrals from Friends
If you have never dealt with an agent before, you should ask your friends and relatives to direct you to the real estate agents that helped them buy or sell a house. Asking for referrals can help you avoid landing in the hands of the wrong agent. But that’s not enough. You should actually interview the agent in person so you can know more about her or him. If you’re looking for something like Columbia real estate and you live in Manhattan, see if you can connect with someone in town online if you don’t know anyone there.
You should avoid agents that have been idle for several months. An agent that sells homes consistently is more knowledgeable than an agent has not closed even a single deal for months because they are up to date with emerging trends in the sector that are so dynamic.
3. Contact Previous Clients
Before you settle for any agent, you should ask him to provide contact details of at least 3 of his previous clients. And when he avails those details, you should call or email them so they can brief you on their individual experience with the agent that you want to hire. If there are any red flags pointed out by these past clients, you should consider looking for another agent and carry out the same due diligence until you get a realtor that has a clean record. At the end of it all, you should be able to get an agent that has a good reputation such as Remax Philadelphia.
4. Choose an Agent that Has Been Around for Long
You can never be misled by an agent that has been in the industry for many years. Such agents know their area very well. They can even pinpoint the homes that they listed decades ago and the ones that they added into their list recently. Such agents are also well connected in the industry. They are normally the first to know when is available for sale. On the other hand, doing business with an agent who got registered just the other day will leave you with a horrible experience. This is because they are still learning the ropes. And as such they may not know the majority of the places and make the right suggestions for you.
Whether you are buying, selling, or leasing real estate, properly vetting your agent will make the process much smoother.