Wilma Tucker 
Whether you’re buying or selling, finding the appropriate real estate agent is critical to getting the best deal possible. Knowing what questions to ask will assist you in determining whether or not someone is a good fit for you.
Here are a few pointers to assist you in your hunt for the finest real estate agent for you.
What is the Role of a Real Estate Agent?
As a potential xpu ha land for sale buyer, you may believe that searching for homes online is simple enough, but a good real estate agent can manage your search for you by staying on top of new listings, scheduling viewings, and communicating with the seller’s agent.
Agents also have access to a larger number of home listings than the general public. When it’s time to buy, a real estate agent may guide a buyer through the purchase contract, which is crucial in determining how much you’ll pay for a home over the course of a mortgage loan.
Homeowners may be tempted to try to sell their home on their own, especially in a hot housing market. However, there are still many time-consuming stages and fees involved in selling a home, which a professional real estate agent handles on a regular basis.
A qualified seller’s agent will know how to properly stage and advertise a home for sale, as well as which repairs are required and which may be overlooked. It’s also worth noting that sellers are normally responsible for paying the buyer’s agent, so even if you don’t have your own agent, you’ll still have to pay a commission.
Real Estate Agent vs. Realtor
Real estate agents must be licensed by the state and must pass a licensure exam after completing a set of prerequisite courses. Agents can also become real estate brokers, which requires additional training and passing of a broker’s licensing exam. Realtors are members of the National Association of Realtors, and many agents and brokers are Realtors (NAR). They are required to follow the Realtor’s Code of Ethics, and if they do not, consumers can denounce them to a local Realtor group.
Before you hire a real estate agent, there are a few things you should do.
Before you employ a real estate agent, they will presume you have done your homework on selling and/or purchasing a home. Here are some of the most crucial first steps you should take.
If you’re looking to buy:
Obtain pre-approval. A mortgage pre-approval is essential since it will help you narrow down your price range when looking for a new home. You don’t want to waste time looking at residences that are out of your price range.
Recognize the steps involved in obtaining a mortgage loan. For first-time homebuyers, this is extremely crucial. A down payment (approximately 20% is ideal) and earnest money—a deposit that can be allocated to closing fees or the down payment once your bid on a home is accepted—should be included in your budget. You’ll also have to factor in the cost of annual property taxes and insurance, which you’ll probably put into an escrow account as part of your monthly mortgage payment.
Make a list of your top housing priorities. Know what kind of home you want, what characteristics you require, and what features you would like to have. If you haven’t already, familiarize yourself with the towns and neighborhoods where you want to live.
If you’re looking to sell, keep the following in mind:
Begin looking for an agency as soon as possible. It takes time to prepare a home for sale, especially if it requires extensive renovations. You may budget and prepare for repairs that will pay for themselves and allow you to receive the greatest price possible if you talk to a listing agent many months to a year before you want to sell.
Make a list of what you need to do to get your house in order. If your home is messy, you’ll need to declutter it before putting it on the market. Clear away boxes you haven’t opened in decades, outdated furniture you won’t be bringing with you, and objects that are just taking up room.
Where Can I Locate a Real Estate Agent?
Although word-of-mouth referrals are the most common—and often the most comfortable—method of finding a real estate agent, there are other options.
Here are a few sites where you might begin your search:
Your own private network. According to the NAR, almost 40% of house sellers locate their agent this way. Inquire of everyone you know, including coworkers and neighbors who have just purchased or sold a home. Don’t forget to tap into your social media networks. A personal recommendation from someone you know and trust can be quite powerful. It can also give you a realistic picture of how the agent handles the process and whether or not you would get along with them.
Research. Examine each agent’s internet presence, such as social media platforms and customer reviews. Also, go around your community to discover which Realtors and companies are selling homes, and go to open houses to meet them.
Sources of official referral Checking with the local chamber of commerce in the area where you want to purchase or sell could help you identify agents who are involved in their communities. NAR members can be found via the association’s Find a Realtor form or a geographic search.
Another alternative is to call real estate brokerage firms, either a well-known national firm or a smaller firm with a strong local presence and reputation.
Make contact with a referral service. If you’re looking for a property out of state and need to hire an agent in that location but don’t have the connections to find the correct one, a real estate referral agent is great. A referral agent, such as a local agent you already know and trust, such as one who has listed your home, will introduce you to another agency in exchange for a percentage of the local agent’s commission.
What to Look for in a Real Estate Agent
After you’ve gathered the names of a few agents, you’ll need to narrow the field down by looking at certain characteristics. When hiring a real estate agent, keep the following points in mind.
1. Prior experience
NAR members have an average of eight years of experience, according to the organization. However, depending on your needs, such as working with first-time buyers or making deals in condos or co-ops, some agents are likely to have more expertise than others.
2. Certifications that are relevant
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) offers a variety of real estate certifications that lead to designations such as Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) and Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) (SRS).
These show that the agent has completed further training and education. Working with a Seniors Real Estate Specialist may be beneficial to senior individuals who are trying to sell or purchase a home (SRES).
3. Local Expertise
An agent who is familiar with the area can best advise on a sales price based on current trends, such as whether prices in your neighborhood have been trending up or down in recent months. They can also assist you in narrowing down communities based on your priorities, such as proximity to good schools or being away from busy streets.
4. Technical and Marketing Skills
Because most consumers browse for houses online before visiting a property for sale, a selling agent must know how to make a good first impression. The listing’s photographs, videos, and descriptive writing must stand out on several sites, including the brokerage’s website and consumer-focused sites like Zillow and Redfin. As a buyer, you’ll want an agent who can locate freshly listed houses as least as soon as you can—if not faster—and who has the tools to locate homes for sale that aren’t advertised through standard channels.
5. Accessibility
When you call or text, an agent who works full-time and isn’t overworked is more likely to be available, and can schedule last-minute tours to properties as soon as they become available. Find out if the agents you’re interviewing are willing to devote enough time to your demands, whether it’s getting a home ready to sell and show on your schedule, or touring multiple homes each week.
6. Personal Attention Level
You must determine whether you want to work with a single agent or a group of two or more agents. An agency team should ideally collaborate so that someone is always accessible to assist you when you need it. On the other hand, some people choose to work with a single agent in order to develop a relationship with someone who will be there for them every step of the process.
7. Contracts and Commitment
You’ll sign a listing agreement with a listing agent when you employ them, which usually lasts two to six months. Commissions vary, but are typically around 5% to 6% of the purchase price, with the buyer’s agent receiving half of the commission. The commissions paid by listing agents may be negotiable.
It’s also crucial to be certain that your agent is acting in your best interests. In some circumstances, the buyer and seller in a transaction are represented by the same agent from the same firm. For purchasers, this could be a source of concern: is your agent striving to get you the best deal possible, or is he or she pushing for a greater commission?
If you’re comfortable with this arrangement as a seller, you might be able to negotiate a lower commission because everything is going to the same brokerage.
Agents for Buyers and Sellers: What’s the Difference?
A listing agent can assist you in determining the best price for your house, preparing it for market, advertising it, fielding offers, and closing the sale if you’re getting ready to sell. If you want to do it yourself, a real estate expert will have more experience and a larger pool of resources to handle all of those tasks.
Similarly, a professional buyer’s agent will assist you in weighing your options and ensuring that you are in a position to submit the winning bid. He or she may also be aware of off-market postings that aren’t available to the general public, as well as a network of connections for the various tasks that arise during the purchase process, such as inspectors or appraisers.
Questions to Ask a Real Estate Agent
When selling or purchasing a home, you should ask a realtor a few simple questions.
If you’re selling a house, keep the following in mind:
What is your level of experience? This is an excellent opportunity to ensure that a listing agent is familiar with your situation, such as selling a condominium or co-op, or assisting you in selling and buying a home at the same time.
Do you have a real estate license and are you certified? The National Association of Realtors (NAR) and its affiliate organizations offer a variety of real estate certifications and designations that agents can obtain.
How well do you market yourself? You might want to check with the agents you’re interviewing to see if they’ve ever successfully advertised a home to the broadest potential audience. This could include the use of social media.
What is your preferred method of working? Some agents work in groups, while others work alone. Make sure your expectations for availability and reaction time are in line with those of the agent you choose.
If you’re looking to buy a home, keep the following in mind:
What is your level of experience? You, like the sellers, may require the services of a specialist who is familiar with your particular sort of transaction. If you’re a first-time buyer searching in a highly competitive location where bidding wars are expected, you might want to hire a highly experienced realtor in that market. There are also realtors who specialize in short sales and foreclosures.
Do you have a real estate license and are you certified? Agents might have a variety of certifications; for example, members of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents may only work with purchasers.
What is your preferred method of working? Some agents work in groups, while others work alone. Make sure you and your agent are on the same page when it comes to availability and responsiveness.
