How to pick a real estate agent

A real estate agent may be one of the most important people you’ll work with when you’re buying or selling a home — but how do you pick the right one?

Let’s look at a few ways to find a real estate agent that’s right for you.

Know what real estate agents can do for you

Real estate agents are licensed professionals who may represent buyers and sellers in real estate transactions. They perform a variety of tasks to facilitate these transactions, which may vary depending on whether they represent the buyer or the seller. 

Before searching for a real estate agent, understand why you should have one and what they do—their job may be more than just listing properties or arranging viewings. A good agent should have an in-depth knowledge of the current market and could make buying or selling a property easier.

A real estate agent for buyers may:

• Help find properties that meet buyers’ criteria, using their knowledge of local markets.
• Schedule appointments for viewings.
• Negotiate prices on behalf of buyers to secure the best deals.
• Manage closing paperwork associated with a real estate transaction.

A real estate agent for sellers may:

• Help price a property competitively, through their understanding of the local market.
• Use staging techniques to make a property more appealing.
• List properties on various platforms, conduct open houses, or use other marketing methods to attract buyers.
• Negotiate offers from potential buyers and assist in closing a sale.

Potential additional roles of a real estate agent

• Offering guidance and context on market conditions, real estate procedures, and regulations.
• Providing referrals to mortgage lenders
• Recommending service providers such as home inspectors, title agents, and homeowners insurance companies

To summarize, real estate agents may play an integral role in real estate transactions, using their skills, knowledge, and network to assist clients in achieving their goals. Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, having a trustworthy and competent real estate agent in your corner may make all the difference.

What makes a good real estate agent?

A good real estate agent may make the buying or selling process go more smoothly. You can compare agents by checking their qualifications, reading online reviews, and contacting them directly to outline your goals and explain what you’re looking for.

Some qualities that a successful real estate agent may have include:

• Experience: Experience doesn’t always equate to the number of years in the business. It also may refer to the number of transactions the agent has handled in their career.
• Expertise: A good agent should generally have a deep knowledge of your local real estate market, including property values, community features, housing trends, and school information.
• Reputation: Positive reviews and referrals from previous buyers and sellers may indicate an agent is trustworthy and professional.
• Availability: Depending on the complexity of your transaction, you may need to be in constant communication with your agent. It’s essential to choose an agent who is responsive and available when you need them.

Tips for choosing a real estate agent

1. Seek referrals: Consider asking friends, family, or colleagues about agents they’ve worked with in the past. Personal recommendations may be invaluable and provide honest feedback from sources you trust.
2. Conduct interviews: It’s OK to interview multiple agents before making your choice—consider it like a job interview, where you’re the boss!
3. Verify credentials: Check if your prospective agent holds credible designations from reputable organizations.
4. Analyze their communication style: Whether you prefer calls, emails, or text messages, make sure your agent is willing and able to communicate in a manner that works for you.
5. Evaluate their knowledge of the area: It’s important to have an agent who is knowledgeable about the area where you’re buying or selling.
6. Ask how many homes they have sold: Experience may play a significant role in how well the realtor is able to buy and sell homes in your area.