Buying a home can feel overwhelming if you’re not familiar with the process. That’s why it’s important to find a good buying agent who can take care of all the details for you. This guide will help you navigate the many aspects of finding a good agent so that you don’t waste your time or money on an unqualified professional. Even better? You may even find that your new agent ends up being your new friend!
Research Agents and Companies Before Starting
Before you start looking for a potential agent, you need to do some research. The first place to start is the real estate boards and associations where you live. They often have listings of agents in your area who specialize in specific areas, such as buying and selling homes in your price range. These boards and associations are a great resource because they have information on each agent, including their experience level and number of transactions. You can also search through reviews on sites like Yelp, Google, and Angie’s List to see if anyone has anything negative to say about an agent they used. This can give you a sense of how well you might do if you start looking for an agent.
Ask Around to Find Good Agents
One of the best ways to find a buying agent is to talk to other people in your community about their agents. Ask your real estate agent, your neighbors, and people you know who are looking to buy or sell homes. You can also ask other real estate investors, who are often experienced with the process and happy to share their experience. If you have friends or family members who are planning to buy or sell homes, you can ask them what type of agents they used and what types of services they received. This will give you a good idea as to what to look for as you begin your search for a good agent.
Talk to Friends and Family About Their Agents
Another way to find an agent is to ask your friends and family what they know about real estate agents in your area. This can be helpful if you have friends who have dealt with the agents in your area and can ask them what they like and dislike about various agents in your community. You can also ask people who have bought homes in your area what type of agent they used. This can give you a good idea of which types of agents might be popular in your area.
Find a List of Refinancing Options
Before you begin your search for a potential agent, make sure you have a list of questions you want to ask. This can help you narrow down your search and make sure you don’t waste time talking to unqualified agents. How long have you been an agent? What types of clients have you helped with and what are some of their common problems? What are your qualifications and experience? What are your rates? What types of services do you offer? How many transactions have you completed per year? Where do you advertise? What areas do you primarily service? What are your marketing strategies? What are your referral policies?
Check with Real Estate Boards and Associations
Most real estate boards and associations have a listing of real estate agents in your area. These are great resources because they can give you detailed information on each agent, including their experience level and number of transactions. You can also search through reviews on sites like Yelp, Google, and Angie’s List to see if anyone has anything negative to say about an agent they used. This can give you a sense of how well you might do if you start looking for an agent.
