| If you are buying a home, choosing a real | | | | your real estate agent is not doing enough |
| estate agent may be the most important | | | | for you and your real estate agent may get |
| decision you make. A good real estate agent | | | | frustrated that you are not placing any bids. |
| can help ensure that you are notified of | | | | Find someone that registers a high comfort |
| homes that meet all your criteria. A good | | | | level with you and you can avoid these |
| agent will also answer your questions and | | | | problems. |
| will walk you through the buying process, | | | | |
| which is an invaluable service for first-time | | | | 4) Making sure that your real estate agent is |
| homebuyers. Despite all this, most buyers | | | | creative. Your agent will use the Multiple |
| choose their agent in a completely haphazard | | | | Listing Service (M.L.S.) to find homes, but |
| way, simply falling into a relationship with | | | | he or she should also use their knowledge, |
| the first real estate agent they encounter. A | | | | contacts and experience to find homes that |
| much better strategy is to do some sleuthing | | | | match your needs. You don't want someone who |
| to uncover the agent who will truly help you | | | | can simply run simplistic searches you can |
| find that perfect property. You can find the | | | | run yourself from home. |
| right professional by: | | | | |
| | | | 5) Ensuring that your agent knows the area. A |
| 1) Interviewing candidates. It may seem like | | | | real estate agent who knows the area where |
| a lot of work, but comparing different real | | | | you hope to buy can help you understand what |
| estate agents from different agencies can | | | | is available and at what prices. |
| quickly show you which agents you respond | | | | |
| best to and which ones seem to offer the best | | | | 6) Checking customer service before you enter |
| service. Interviews also allow you to assess | | | | into a relationship. Real estate agents are |
| experience, education, and other factors | | | | busy people, but they should still be able to |
| important in a good real estate agent. | | | | offer you good care. Your phone calls should |
| | | | be returned, your concerns should be |
| 2) Checking qualifications and sales. Look | | | | addressed and you should be able to contact |
| for a real estate agent who has some | | | | your real estate agent when you need to. If |
| experience and has been on the job long | | | | your agent uses an assistant, you need to |
| enough to have expertise in the area. | | | | ensure that it is the real estate agent |
| Ideally, you want someone who has worked as | | | | themselves who will handle all work with |
| an agent for years in the same area and has | | | | contracts as well as the closing. That is |
| an impressive sales record. In every | | | | what you are paying your real estate agent |
| community, you will generally find a few | | | | for. Stay away from agents who seem |
| agents who perform very well because they | | | | distracted, disorganized, and are not able to |
| know what they are doing and are good at what | | | | interact with you personally. You may find |
| they do. Look for these agents and check to | | | | that your home buying experience suffers with |
| make sure that no complaints have been filed | | | | these sort of agents. |
| about them with the State Board of Realtors. | | | | |
| | | | The good news is that there are plenty of |
| 3) Lining up personalities. Buying real | | | | terrific, highly qualified real estate agents |
| estate is highly emotional, so it is | | | | out there. Now that you know what to look |
| important to find someone you are compatible | | | | for, you can hunt them up and have |
| with. Look for a real estate agent you can | | | | superlative help when it is time for you to |
| really communicate with. If your | | | | buy property. |
| personalities do not match, you may feel that | | | | |