Choosing a real estate agent starts with the decision to make a property purchase. But what happens next determines how the experience rates in the long run.

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Home buying involves spending your hard-earned money on a valuable property. For novice buyers, this commitment can be intimidating. That’s where real estate agents come in. Realtors® can help you be more confident during the whole process.

Now that you’ve decided to buy a house, you need to find a realtor fit for your needs. Know the effective ways of choosing a real estate agent by reading on.

Get reliable referrals

Before technology-powered today’s fast-paced world, word of mouth was the best way to know about a particular service provider. With finding good real estate agents, this technique still applies. Talk to your close friends and parents for reliable referrals.

If you’re planning to buy a home from another state and don’t have tight friends in the area, you can ask someone you trust for help. Ask someone who has a connection in the local scene. That connection might be able to help you get a hold of a trusted local agent. Try to find a former client of an agent. Former clients can give you honest opinions about a real estate agent, their strengths and how they work with the client.

Read Online Reviews

Kudos to you if you’ve found good referrals, but if you haven’t, don’t worry. Go online and find an agent with great reviews. Hop to sites that list licensed real estate agents. Look for local ones. If people have lots of good things to say about this agent, good opinions are going to show up online. If they lack reviews, move on to the next agent. Better to keep looking than choosing a real estate agent who is not a good fit for you.

Looking for agents with a reliable online presence is a plus. Take a look into local realtors with a well-established website or a well-curated Youtube channel and updated social media sites. Ring those agents up and see if you can get a good first impression on them. Talk w them on the phone at length. Make sure you feel comfortable around them.

As the home buying process can go for a while, you need to make sure you’re comfortable with them. Imagine the idea of driving around in the car with them or a few hours on weekends. If these ideas don’t make you feel uneasy, then that’s great. Home buying should be enjoyable. If you’re w the wrong person, it can be no fun at all.

If your phone conversations or video call goes well, then proceed to the next step.

Meet the Agent

The best thing about real estate agents is that they are flexible. They can meet you in your preferred schedule and they offer free consultations. These professionals don’t get paid unless they successfully closed a deal. So when you agree to meet one, know that they’re there with no strings attached.

Meet your prospect real estate agent and get a for how you might work together. You’ll be spending ample time together even on weekends. So make sure you have an idea about their work ethics. Check the agent’s technique on how to successfully clinch a deal.

Below is a list of questions to ask before choosing a real estate agent:

Is real estate a full-time job for you?
What sets you apart from other realtors?
How many clients have you helped?
Who is in your real estate team?
Do you require a pre-approval before seeing homes?
Do you have contact information from past clients?
How will you negotiate on our behalf?
How will you negotiate the Inspection Items?
What is your competitive advantage?
What if I’m unhappy with your service?

If you think you’ve found the right agent for your cause, then good job! You found yourself an all-in-one professional you need as a buyer. Your real estate agent will act as your sales and marketing professional, your contract negotiator, and your home value advisor. He/she can also be your interior design consultant. In dire times, you’ll discover he/she is also a good therapist. All of these responsibilities are under your agent’s hat.

What happens after you find Your Agent?

Finding a realtor® belongs to the beginning part of your home buying process. Now that you’ve got one, you can ask him/her about the next step: pre-approval process.

While the pre-approval process involves a lot of you preparing important documents, your agent is there to keep tabs on which page you’re in. Your agent knows the fastest way to find a solid lender and can help you know what the lender will need in order for you to gain that pre-approval.

Talk to your agent about your personal goals related to your home purchase. It’s easier to work with someone who has a clear vision of what you have in mind. Follow these tips and you’re on your way to a better way at choosing the right real estate agent.