Buying your first home is probably one of the most important decisions you will take in your life. Purchasing a property is something that involves various elements that can influence this process. For instance, you will have to prepare financially, save the down payment, if necessary, improve your credit score and get a pre-approved mortgage. Another thing that will either ease the process or make it more difficult is your real estate agent. That’s why here we will tell you how to choose the right real estate agent.
If you have completed the first steps of purchasing a property and it is time to pick a real estate agent, chances are you are committed to buying a home soon. Then you could be wondering how to choose a real estate agent that can help you with this next adventure. It might come as a surprise, but choosing an agent is going to take you more than a couple of days.
Most people think that hiring a real estate agent is only going to take a few hours of surfing on the internet. However, that is not the ideal case. You should not hire the first company that appears on your Google results. You need to do in-depth research that gives you several candidates that later you will evaluate in person.
We know that right now picking an agent could sound like it is going to take more time than what you expected. Then, how to choose a real estate agent in a shorter timeline? To help you get through this in less than the average time, we have created a list of key steps you need to follow to choose the ideal real estate agent.
How to choose a real estate agent to buy a home?
The reason why choosing a real estate agent is a crucial step when you are buying a house is because they can help you advance the process. An experienced real estate agent will look for houses that adapt to your needs, and they will know how to negotiate the listing price. Plus, they will help you pick the perfect location. But if you want to have an idea of the best neighbourhoods to buy your next home, check this post.
1. Get referrals
When most people ask “how to choose a real estate agent for buying a new home?” they don’t even realize that the answer could already be in their network. You can talk to your family and friends and ask them if there is any realtor they can recommend. Chances are you are going to get a couple of names plus testimonials of their work.
After you get those referrals, even when they are from people close to you, you need to do an investigation. Make sure they are realtors because that ensures they are part of an association that has a robust code of ethics.
Also, check they have the certifications to prove they completed all the required training. You need to hire someone who has all the knowledge you will need.
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Look for more options
If you ask anyone how to choose the right real estate agent, most people are going to mention the internet. Looking for a real estate agent on Google is not a bad thing. You just have to check that all the information you read is true.
You can look for some potential candidates and add them to your list. Then, once you have some options you feel comfortable with, you can move on to the research stage.
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Do your research
In this step, you are going to turn into a detective. The goal here is deciding which of the candidates in our initial list you will interview. We advise checking if those real estate agents have a website, look at the properties they are managing and the kind of clients they have.
Also, another important thing is looking at their reviews and testimonials. Remember that one bad comment doesn’t mean you have to reject one of the candidates. However, if you see more than two bad reviews, that could be a red flag.
Further, the most important factor is making sure that your real estate agent or broker has a license. When you do this background check, don’t forget to ask if they have any disciplinary actions.
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Interview at least three agents
From the list you created at the beginning, after your investigation, you should have at least three agents you want to talk to. If you have more, that is okay. But, remember that the longer it takes you to choose an agent, the more you will have to wait to have the keys to your new home.
This interview is the perfect opportunity to know in which area your realtor specializes and see if they understand that you have a budget you must stick to. For instance, if you find a real estate agent that focuses on luxury homes, chances are you will end up paying more than what you had in mind.
Also, seeing your real estate agent face to face gives you a sense of who they are and how committed they will be to you. In this case, you should choose someone that puts effort into their initial presentation. That way, you will know they will do even more when they are working for you.
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References
Even though this is part of the interview process, it is an important step. When a buyer wonders how to choose a real estate agent to buy a home, people will advise them to do research. What most homebuyers don’t realize is that asking for references is a part of that process.
During the interview, you can request the candidates to give you the contact information for the most recent clients. Then you can call them, inquire about their experience and even ask if they would hire that agent again.
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Read the contract
Once you have your favourite pick and it’s time to sign the contract, make sure everything is written, including their commission. Usually, their commission comes close to 5% of the price. Also, look for the length of the contract, you want it to be around six months, not any longer than that. If a real estate agent takes more time to find you a home, it might be the time to switch.
Now you know how to choose a real estate agent for buying a home and which steps you need to follow. One final piece of advice, go with your gut, you should choose someone you can talk to and that you feel comfortable with. That way, the whole purchasing process will go smoothly.
