Looking to hire a real estate agent to help you find your new home or sell your current one? Make sure you do your research! Not every real estate agent will possess the right knowledge and skills necessary for your situation. Therefore, it is best to reach out to several real estate agents and see who would work best with you. To help get you started, here are four questions to ask real estate agents:
1.) How Long Have You Been Licensed?
Asking this question is especially vital if you are looking to purchase a home for the first time. That’s because buying a home involves a lot of steps and you want to be sure that you are doing everything correctly. Working with an experienced real estate agent will benefit you because they likely know the buying and selling process inside and out. They will be able to walk you through it and are suited to fix any problems that may arise along the way. If you must use a real estate agent with less experience, try asking if they have someone that can assist them in case things go south.
2.) How Many Real Estate Transactions Have You Completed This Year?
To get an even better idea of the amount of experience a candidate has, try asking them how many transactions they have completed this year. It doesn’t have to be a high number, as long as you get an impression that they have conducted business with clients that is sufficient and consistent. You probably won’t want to hire someone who only does real estate part-time.
3.) How Well Do You Know the Area?
Your real estate agent should have plenty of knowledge about the area in which you are interested in buying or selling a property. This way, they will be able to answer any questions you have about local eateries, grocery stores, schools, entertainment, and comparables. They will also be knowledgeable about the current state of your local housing market.
4.) What is Your Availability?
Tell your potential real estate agent your schedule and see if they will be able to assist you when needed. If an agent can’t make themselves available when you need them, it could spell trouble. You want an agent to be present whenever you need help throughout the buying or selling process.
Ask Yourself: Do They Have My Best Interest in Mind?
While real estate agents shouldn’t be telling you whether or not you should purchase a property, a good one will let you know of any concerns that they have. This way, you will be aware of these issues before you decide to go and make an offer. Real estate agents who have your best interest in mind will give you both positive and negative feedback on a property. Otherwise, they are likely just trying to make a quick sale.
In contrast, if you are selling a property, your real estate agent should give you proper feedback on your listing price. Since they will have ample knowledge of your local housing market, they should know whether your asking price is too low or too high.
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