When it comes to your first home, you want to work with the best real estate agent that has the right experience and knowledge to guide you through the process. A real estate agent who is a qualified professional is the best way to go out of all the other options, especially when you're looking for a new home. That is why choosing the best real estate agent is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make.
Find a real estate professional with experience in the area where your property is located - Ask people who have recently sold or bought a home who their real estate agent was and what they thought of their service.
Meet with several real estate agents before choosing one.- Meeting and interviewing a few potential realtors gives you the opportunity to ask questions, learn about their experience and working style, and determine their areas of expertise and level of professionalism.
Positive reviews - Online reviews are one of your best assets when it comes to choosing a realtor. Read all of the reviews that you can find before selecting who you’ll work with, and look for an agent whose previous clients have only positive things to say about their experiences.
Personal rapport - Ultimately, you want to choose a realtor who you get along with. You’re going to be spending a lot of time together, so it’s important to work with someone whose company you enjoy, and who you just genuinely feel understands your needs. Trust your intuition on this one—if you’re getting bad vibes, trust your gut and find somebody else.
Strong local market knowledge- A good way to gauge local market knowledge is simply to ask. Inquire about the basics, like average time on the market for newly listed homes and average sale prices, but also ask about any unique trends regarding your local market that you should know about.
Take a close look at your contract- Once you select an agent, your contract should spell out all of the terms to which you’ve agreed, including the real estate commission. Choosing a real estate agent to help you buy or sell a house is a big decision. After all, this person will be your guide through an important financial transaction. A good agent can help you get the best deal and avoid any pitfalls, while a bad agent might make the process drag on for months.
The home-buying and selling process can be intimidating and scary. Ultimately, you need to figure out what is most important to you in an agent, and who meets those criteria. If you can find someone who has experience with the neighborhoods where you’re interested in living, who can help you make an offer quickly, and offers an exceptional level of service, then they may be the right one for you. When all is said and done, it ultimately comes down to the personal connection you feel with the best real estate agent. After you've finally selected the top real estate agent, you can enjoy the entire home buying process—from beginning to end—with a knowledgeable agent guiding your choices every step of the way.