Whether you’re buying your first home or selling your last, choosing the right real estate agent can make the difference between getting top dollar for your property and walking away empty-handed. It’s no wonder that about 40% of buyers and sellers rely on personal recommendations from friends, family members or coworkers when they’re looking for an agent.
Keeping up-to-date with the market
The best agents are constantly learning about the latest trends, technologies and laws that affect their business and clients. They may read industry publications or attend workshops or conferences, or they might simply ask other professionals in the field to mentor them.
Qualifications
If you’re hiring a real estate agent, it’s important to find out whether they are licensed by your state’s Department of Real Estate or if they’ve been subjected to any disciplinary action. You can also check with the Better Business Bureau to see if there have been any complaints filed against them in the past. More info https://www.sellmyphillyhouse.com/we-buy-houses-lancaster-pennsylvania/
Experience
A good agent should have a solid track record of selling homes, whether they’re helping buyers or sellers. If an agent has been in the industry for a while, this means they know how to get a deal done and will be able to guide you through the process from start to finish.
Keeping up with the local area
Your agent should be aware of any development projects or zoning changes that could affect your property’s value, as well as upcoming events that might draw attention to it. They should know the average list price of homes in your area and how long it takes to sell, so you can get a sense of their market knowledge and ability to help you find a house that fits your needs.
Having the right personality
Just as you’d do with any other relationship, you should choose your real estate agent based on chemistry. If you don’t click with the person from the outset, it’s best to move on.
Interviewing the potential agent
A face-to-face interview can be a great way to evaluate an agent’s style and chemistry with you. It allows you to ask them a wide range of questions, get an idea of their personality and see how they handle difficult situations.
Ask about their past sales records and what they’ve done for other clients in the same situation as yours. You can then determine if they’re the kind of agent who is willing to work hard for their clients, or if they might be better suited to a smaller pool of clients.
Do they have a strong online presence?
If your potential agent has a strong online presence, it shows they’re actively marketing their services. You’ll also want to make sure their website is up-to-date and easy for you to navigate.
Availability and Communication
You should also ask if they are available to meet with you at any time that suits your schedule. If they’re working with a large list of clients, you might want to interview them on the phone or Skype before hiring them in person.