For many looking for a new place to live, the search can be stressful and time-consuming. Real Estate agents are incredibly valuable in helping you narrow down your search and negotiating the best possible price for you. There are a few things to look for in the agent you hire to make sure you have the best experience possible.
Your agent should be an expert not only in the geographical area you are looking, but in the type of property, neighborhood dynamic, and negotiating tactics that will be of the greatest benefit to you. A good agent can provide you with neighborhood demographics, which in highly populated areas can change from street to street. They can also compare the asking purchase price to the value of other surrounding properties and alert you if the property is over or undervalued.
Prior to hiring a real estate agent, you should make sure they are a licensed agent. Beyond the issue of them being paid by you under false pretenses, an agent with a current license will have early access and additional information about properties not readily available to the public. They will likely alert you, through their various contacts, to properties prior to them being available to the public.
To check, an agent’s license information is usually uploaded on online databases and can easily be accessed. For example, California has licensing databases that can be used to look up licensing for different professions, and other states have similar methods. Making sure who you work with has an updated license will open many doors in the real estate world.
Ultimately, you want to choose a realtor who understands your personal style and what you want. Throughout the property buying process, the realtor should become your friend and you should feel comfortable asking them as many questions as you can think of. If you don’t jive with your realtor, there is no shame in asking for a new one. Finding the right place is stressful enough, you may as well have a friend help you through the process.
Looking for an expert in the geographical area who has access to insider information and can be personable is the ultimate realtor. Their job is to successfully help you find a property that you can be happy and thrive with. Don’t be afraid to voice your opinion and maximize your benefits, that is what you hired them for.
We have lots of great real estate agents that can help you find the perfect home. Contact us today to get started!