Whether you are buying a new home or selling your current home, choosing a Realtor is an important part of the process. Before you flip through the yellow pages, consider these tips to help you pick the right person for the job.
- Ask friends and family for a referral.
- Find out if they belong the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) or other online listing search service.
- Check with your state’s real estate governing agency to be sure their license is in good standing.
- Search for an agent that specializes in homes within your price range.
- Be cautious of someone who works as a dual agent; it’s very difficult for someone to be able to effectively represent both the buyer and seller.
Once you have found a couple of candidates, set up an appointment to meet with each one. If you are selling a home each candidate should come to you with a prepared market analysis, as well as a plan as to how they will market your home. During your appointment be prepared with a list of your own questions, such as:
- Is real estate your full time career? Ideally you want someone that’s in this as their livelihood, not just as a hobby.
- How long have you been in the business? It’s a good idea to have someone who has a few years of experience under their belt.
- Find out how many homes they have listed in the past 3-6 months, and of those homes how many have sold.
- Ask about their availability. You need someone who can accommodate your schedule.
- Find out how often you can expect to hear from them; either for feedback on the home you are selling or to send you listing options if you are searching for a home.
- Ask for name and phone number of current and previous clients. Call these references to find out if others were happy.
During this interview process make sure the each agent is able to thoroughly explain everything to you and is also able to effectively explain any real estate terminology, which can be confusing. You also want to be sure that you feel you can trust your agent, as buying or selling a home is a big process.