In just about any market across the country a home buyer or seller will have little trouble in finding a real estate agent. Most cities have an abundance of agents, some that specialize in certain areas and different aspects of the real estate world. So one must ask what they do to find the agent that fits their needs perfectly? Well the first thing one should know whether they are selling or buying is exactly what their needs are in an agent. Do you need someone who specializes in selling homes? Or one that knows a certain area inside out and backwards? Also their track record will be important. Here is a short list of things that anyone can ask a prospective real estate agent to assist in this difficult choice.
What sets you apart from the others? - It is always good to know what special skills you representation has that will help you out in your purchase or sale. Like any other business, real estate agents need that competitive edge that will show customers that they are the right choice.
Do you work alone or with a team? - This is a question where either response can have it's positives and negatives. Agents that work with a team have the advantage of having more people around to assist you if things come up at odd hours or if you need answers quickly. However working with many people on the sale or purchase of a home can seem impersonal if the team does not operate seamlessly and communicate well. On the other hand, individual agents can give a customer more focused and personal attention if they are good at prioritizing their time. However it can be more difficult to contact just one person than it can be to contact a team.
What's your marketing plan for my home sale? - This is a huge question and when selling a home it is one of the more important things that a seller will want to know. Marketing a home properly can drastically reduce the time that the home is listed and make the sale process much easier on the seller.
Do you have references? - References, much like any other job are very telling. essentially an agent is applying for the job of representing you in this transaction. Like any other applicant they should be able to provide references and don't be afraid to check them out thoroughly.
The real estate world is all about professionalism and results. Be sure that when choosing a agent to represent your interests that they show both of these assets in abundance. Associating yourself with an agent that does not display these characteristics can end up costing you money and even more importantly, time. Moving to a new home is always a time sensitive thing and drawing the process out makes life more complicated. You should not have to worry about the transaction itself. During this time you have more important things to be concerned about. Take your time in choosing an agent. This is one situation when you can and need to afford the time.
