5 Tips For Finding The Best Real Estate Agent

Buying and selling a home can be a complicated matter. It will also likely represent the largest financial decision you will ever make. For these reasons, it is a must you find the right real estate agent to drive you through the process.

1. Get Referrals

Reach out to friends and family to find out if they know an agent whose services they can recommend. Find out if the agent has experience working with homebuyers whose situation is similar to your own. For example, a person buying a home for the first time will have different needs than a person who has purchased a home before and is looking to downsize.

2. Contact a Lender First

Many homebuyers talk to a real estate agent before they communicate with a lender. This is the exact opposite of what most experts suggest. Preapproval from a lender will let you know the maximum mortgage amount available to you and provide you with the opportunity to work on any issues that need to be addressed. A commitment from a lender will allow you to focus on homes in your price range and demonstrate your level of commitment to a realtor.

3. Do your Research

You can start researching real estate agents by monitoring their online presence. You should also observe the social media profiles that are used to promote their listings. Read any online reviews of agents that interest you. One or two bad reviews may not be cause for concern. But more than that could be a serious red flag. You should also check with the regulator in your state to assure any agent you are considering is licensed.

4. Check References

Ask the agents you screen for information on homes they sold within the last year. You should also request contact information for some of these homebuyers. Make a call to these clients and get their thoughts regarding working with the agent. Also, inquire about the support the agent provided throughout the process. A good question to ask is if they would hire the agent again if buying or selling a home.

5. Use Your Instincts

The ability of a real estate agent to communicate with you during the home buying process is as important as the knowledge and experience he or she brings to the table. It is likely that all things will check out with more than one of the agents you screen. When this is the case, go with your gut and choose the agent that makes you feel the most comfortable.

For many people, choosing a home for their family will be a once in a lifetime decision. So it only makes sense to find the best real estate agent possible to guide you through this process. The five tips above will aid you greatly during the screening process. For a better understanding, Chestnut Park may be able to provide additional information on their website.