In 2020, 87% of home buyers purchased through a real estate agent as listed by the National Association of Realtors.
With the rising housing market, are you considering selling your home in the near future?
As a smart homeowner, you know it is highly recommended to use an agent to put your house up for sale. But finding the best real estate agent takes patience and research to connect with the right fit. We’re here to ease that process for you so you can find someone who matches your needs ASAP.
Read on for our tips to identify a real estate agent worth your time.
Look into Online Customer Reviews
Online search tools are a great starting place to begin the hunt for the best real estate agent. Searching “local real estate agents” brings you into contact with the major housing market in your area.
Pay close attention to the customer reviews shared online. Positive reviews are a great sign that you’ve found a good option. But negative reviews can also be telling based on how the real estate agent responded to it.
Even if a client was unhappy, a positive response from an agent is a sign of strong communication and customer service skills.
Get a Referral from Someone You Trust
There is no better marketing than word-of-mouth when it comes to finding the best real estate agent. A smart homeowner both shares and seeks out information with local residents after having a positive experience.
Did you recently have a friend sell their house? Has a new next-door neighbor moved in? These individuals will have the most up-to-date info on who they worked with and why they would or wouldn’t refer them.
Interview Several Agents
The real estate market can be overwhelming for someone just getting acquainted with it, but the worst thing you can do is settle for the first real estate firm you interview.
Online searches and referrals should lead to several interviews with real estate agents or a Real Estate Group. Three is a good starting place for how many consults you should schedule, though you may need more if they don’t fit your needs.
Use the interview space to ask the same questions and get details on things such as:
- How many active clients do they have and are they willing to take another
- What’s the average timeline for buying or selling they adhere too
- Do they have any areas of specialty
- How long they’ve been in the housing market
- Do they have any references to share
Compare different agents’ responses to your questions to see how they would rate against your needs.
Go to Local Open Houses
You can identify the best real estate agent when you see them in action. Keep your eyes open for any local open houses when you are getting ready to put your house on the market. Attend a few, interact with the agent, and watch how they interact with other interested parties.
You’ll be able to tell whether this person is a fit for you as you get a sense of their personality and skills.
Find the Best Real Estate Agent for You
Selecting the best real estate agent mainly comes down to finding someone who best adheres to your needs. Use the search process to communicate what you need and want out of the selling process, and let the perfect agent find you.
Good luck in your search, and review our other articles on real estate to become a smarter homeowner at your new property.
