Hiring your Real Estate Agent: how do you know when they’re the one?
Selling or buying a home is one of those moments in life that can feel a bit like navigating a minefield blindfolded—terrifying, overwhelming, and full of choices. Right!? But fear not! Here’s the ultimate guide to not just finding A real estate agent, but finding THE real estate agent that is right for YOU.
1. Do Your Homework
Research is the name of the game friends. Start by scouring the internet for reviews on sites like Zillow, Yelp, and Google. What do the masses have to say? What do past clientele have to say? Social media is also your friend—look for agents with an active and engaging presence. You can tell a lot about an agent’s personalty and style from their profile. Think of it as stalking your date’s social media before meeting up…but for houses….
2. Ask your closests
Your network is a goldmine for real estate advice. Ask your friends, your family, your coworkers, your neighbors who’ve recently bought or sold homes about their experiences. Did they feel like their agent worked for them, or did they feel like THEY did most of the heavy lifting? A personal recommendation is worth its weight in gold, and your friends won’t hold back!
3. Local Expertise Is a Must
You wouldn’t trust someone who’s never set foot in your city to pick your favorite coffee spot, right? Same goes for real estate agents. Make sure your agent knows the local market inside and out. You need someone who knows everything there is to know about the neighborhood you're interested in. They should be familiar with school districts, favored spots, best nature access…hell, I’ll even say it, best farmer’s markets. Whatever is important to YOU, they should know where to find it.
4. Interview
Do not be afraid to meet with a few agents before making your choice. In fact, I insist on it. You will discover monumental differences in agent’s immediately this way. What is their experience? Do they have a strategy, or are they just throwing spaghetti at the wall hoping something will stick? How do they plan to help you achieve your goals? Pay close attention to how they communicate—can they answer your questions? Do they understand your concerns? Do they know how a phone works (seriously)—if they can’t return your texts or calls promptly now, imagine how frustrating that’ll be during crunch time.
5. do they understand you?
First of all, do they take an interest in you? Your agent should understand your unique situation; your story. Are you a first-time buyer, upsizing, downsizing, or investing? Make sure they know your budget, what you’re hoping to net, your must-haves, and your deal-breakers.
6. have the money talk upfront
Let me be clear, TALK MONEY NOW!! Money talks are not awkward, they are necessary. Make sure you understand the agent’s commission rate and any additional fees. Go through the contract with a fine-tooth comb and don’t be afraid to ask questions. You want clarity, not surprises. As a reminder: Sellers are NEVER required to pay a buyer agent’s commission (However, many choose to do so), and as always, agent commission rates are ALWAYS negotiable.
7. Trust Your Instincts
At the end of the day, trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is. Case closed.
Final thoughts: You never want to feel like you are somebody’s meal ticket. Remember, your real estate agent works for YOU. And if they aren’t, then let them go. Often times, the real estate journey is an emotional one; most of us are either buying one of the biggest assets of our lives, OR we are letting go of one. Make sure, you find an agent that isTRULY and FULLY in your corner.. Take your time, do your research, and pick someone who gets you.
If you would like to discuss working together, please feel free to get in contact with me HERE. I’d love to serve you!