Real Estate Investments: Five Ways to Pick a Great Real Estate Agent
“A realtor is not a salesperson. They are a matchmaker. They introduce people to homes until they fall in love with one. Then they are a wedding planner.” –Author Unknown
When you are scouring the market for the best deals on real estate, you would inevitably need the help of a realtor unless you already have a prior expertise. A real estate agent’s knowledge would enable you to be successful in your house hunting endeavors. However, you cannot choose just anyone—after all, with innumerable agents presenting themselves to you through social media, yard signs and online ads; you need to be a little selective and meticulous in your prospects. So, how do you sift through countless individuals and choose the best one for you?
Whether you are buying or selling a property in Avida towers Cebu or elsewhere, here are five ways of ensuring you select the best possible agent:
1.) Talk with recent clients
One of the excellent ways to determine whether you have a trustworthy agent or not is to talk with the recent clients they have dealt with. With this in mind, you should ask your prospective agents to furnish you with a list of what they have listed and sold in the past year with contact information. Talk to these clients and ask them what they liked or disliked about your agent.
2.) Look up their licensing
The worst possible scenario one can possibly think of when it comes to real estate agents is to have an individual who was not licensed to handle the transaction. To prevent this from happening, ensure that your prospective agent is licensed by checking the appropriate regulatory body. Furthermore, it is best to check if there have been any previous complaints or disciplinary actions taken against him or her.
3.) Pick a winner
If you wish to pick the best of the best, then select the winner. Choose the realtors and agents that are designated as “Realtor of the Year” or have awards attached to their names. More often than not, these agents are judged by their colleagues and peers which means it is an endorsement you can trust.
4.) Pick the agent with the right credentials
As with any professionals, real estate agents also have specialties—pretty much as attorneys do. Do not hire an agent and expect him or her to be a jack-of-all-trades as more often than not, they have a particular field where they specialize in. Even generalists would get special and additional training in some areas. So, look for a designation or indication that your agent is competent in a particular field—a field which you wish to pursue your real estate endeavors.
5.) Know how long the agent has been in business
One of the best things that guarantee expertise is a lengthy experience. In this regard, you should have an awareness of how long your agent has been in the business. You want someone who is seasoned and has been engaged in the business long enough to know what they are doing and dealing with. Furthermore, you want to choose an agent who is actively engaged in the particular area you are interested in and the price range. Have an agent that demonstrates knowledge of the area and homes in your range. In sum, have someone who does not disappoint.