Choosing the Right Real Estate Agent: It’s All About You
When you are trying to find the home of your dreams, partnering with a great real estate agent can be a significant advantage. After all, your agent will be there for you during what is potentially the most expensive transaction of your life. So how do you know who is right for you?
How to Find a Real Estate Agent
In most areas, there are numerous real estate organizations and even more realtors vying for your business. If you’re a first time homebuyer (or even if you’re not) choosing an agent can feel very overwhelming!
Here are a few tips for finding a real estate agent you’ll enjoy working with!
Take Your Time & Do Your Research
One thing to keep in mind is to make sure you take your time in and do your research. Many people ask friends or relatives for a referral to a real estate agent they’ve worked with in the past, and that’s a great start. But, it’s really all about you and how well you think you will work with an agent for the long haul. Open houses are a great way to meet and talk with several real estate agents, and to evaluate them on different criteria such as their experience and familiarity with the area you’re considering.
A follow-up phone call after the open house can also help you further qualify a potential real estate agent. Do you feel comfortable? Does the conversation flow easily? The agent can be professional and experienced, and may have even sold your favorite Aunt’s house, but how well do you communicate with each other? Do you speak in ambiance and does she or he speak in square foot?
Good communication is crucial. A great real estate agent can be a counter balance to the emotional aspect of buying a home, while still respecting and understanding your wishes. You will be spending a lot more time with this person than you realize, so be sure you truly ‘click’ before proceeding.
Ask the Tough Questions
While getting along is definitely important, there are several other factors you will want to consider when evaluating real estate agents. Since time and money are two extremely crucial parts of any buying or selling decision, an agent’s experience will be invaluable. He or she can better assess the market value of other homes in the area, beyond the comp sheets, as busy agents see many more homes in a week than you do.
Some good questions to ask are:
- How many years of experience do you have in this local real estate market, and how many years overall?
- How many homes within my price range have you helped someone buy or sell in the last year?
- Do you specialize in any specific areas within the locations I’m considering?
Above all else, choosing a real estate agent is a process and you want to make sure you do your homework. Try to find an agent who is confident without coming across as condescending; someone who you are able to establish a good, strong relationship with. He or she will be with you during an intense, and often stressful, few months – so take your time and make sure you’re making the best decision possible.
Get Pre-Qualified for a Mortgage
A mortgage pre-approval makes you a desirable, qualified lead. It sends a clear signal to real estate agents that you are ready and able to sign on the bottom line if they can find you the home you are searching for. And the best part is, once you’ve found the right home, you’re that much closer to closing than you would be if starting the mortgage approval process from scratch.
Before you’re ready to take the next step of finding a realtor to work with as you search for the home of your dreams, take the time to get pre-approved for a mortgage. You can get the mortgage pre-approval process started right here on our website! Have questions? Contact Maple Tree Funding’s licensed mortgage brokers at 518-782-1202 and we’d be happy to assist you!
Find a Real Estate Agent That Suits Your Needs
A preliminary step towards finding the right home for you is finding the right real estate agent for you. If you’re in the market for a new home, keep these tips in mind as you search for that ideal realtor.
Looking for more insight to help you make the home buying process go as smoothly as possible? Check out the following resources:
Understanding the Mortgage Process – Get the scoop on the 6 step process of securing a mortgage.
Who’s Involved in the Home Buying Process? – Familiarize yourself with the other people (besides your realtor) involved in the process of purchasing a new home.