How To Choose the Right Real Estate Agent For You
Buying a house is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make and it’s important that you have the right team in your corner. Working with a real estate agent that you trust will help make your experience comfortable and seamless. With thousands of realtors out there, it may feel overwhelming when starting the selection process of hiring a realtor for you. Simply typing in “real estate agent near me” in Google may give you plenty of options, but you’ll want to follow these tips and tricks to narrow down the best real estate agent for you!
Seek real estate agent referrals from other homebuyers
There’s a reason reviews work, and it’s because people care about the experiences of other people when making an investment. Referrals are the best compliment anyone can give a service provider, especially a realtor, because their relationship dove into personal terrain like financials and wants/needs out of life. If you have friends in the area who bought a house, it’s worth asking them who they worked with and what their experience is. If not, check out reviews and testimonials. Even though there is a lot of technology involved in the home buying process, the experience with working with a realtor is impossible to replace.
Find an agent who knows the area
Real estate agents are experts in the market and know the ins and outs of the homebuying process from shopping for a home to closing. Since any great realtor has a method of getting from point a to point b, you’ll want to search for someone who knows the area you want to live in. Find an agent who lives in or near your desired neighborhood or has worked extensively in the neighborhood. Realtors that know the area will be able to tell you what streets are the busiest, what communities are the closest to the most desirable amenities and which schools are the highest rated. This makes it easier for you to assess the homes and neighborhoods as you search and feel confident your realtor is only taking you to properties that make sense for your wants and needs.
Work with someone who is a good communicator
The housing market is constantly changing and in order to make a competitive offer sometimes you have to move quickly which means your realtor has to submit offers on the fly. Because real estate is an industry filled with entrepreneurs, these agents are hustlers and know what it takes to get the deal done. If you begin speaking with your prospective realtor and notice it takes them a while to respond or they don’t always get back to you, it may be time to find someone else. When all else fails, go with your gut.
Choose someone who cares about your wants and needs
Neighborhoods and price points are not the only two things that go into play when searching for a house. A great real estate agent will ask you about your wants and needs in your new house and will take those into account when searching for properties to take you to. While you may need to compromise on a few things depending on budget, location, and amenities, a realtor who cares will do what they can to help guide you to the home of your dreams while keeping your wants and needs in mind. Finding a realtor who you can trust, who is an expert on your desired neighborhood and the industry, knows interest rates and who comes highly recommended may seem like a daunting task. Luckily, there are some awesome agents out there and with the right amount of research you’ll find the perfect fit. In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors, 88% of buyers recently purchased their home through a real estate agent or broker. Remember to trust your gut and to do your research throughout the process and with the right real estate agent on your side you’ll get into your dream house in no time!
Don’t forget the other part of your dream team – your lender!
At MHS Lending, we are dedicated to providing exceptional service to military families and veterans. We work tirelessly to support you every step of the way on your home buying journey and are experts in working with VA Loans. Whether you’re looking to buy a home or refinance an existing mortgage, we’re here to help! If you’re ready to take advantage of your hard-earned military benefits, give us a call today!