In the modern era of digitalization, a little research online can give you the basic knowledge of real estate trading. But this does not make real estate agents obsolete. The right agent can help you realize your dreams and get the home you want, but the wrong one can leave you stranded in no man’s land.
Here are some tips on how to get the best buyer’s agent when looking for your new place to call home.
Often the best way to hire a buyer’s agent is through the recommendation of a friend or relative who has previously used a real estate agent. That way you have something to start with. The next step is to research recommended real estate agents and see who has sold or bought the most homes.
Hiring a relative who is a real estate agent is often not recommended unless it is your full-time occupation and you have a lot of experience. A relative who is a part-time real estate agent is unlikely to do as good a job as a full-time professional.
It is also best to avoid real estate agents who charge below the standard commission. The standard commission is around 5 to 7 percent of value, so if a buyer’s agent asks something below you, you should be suspicious of the quality of work the cheaper realtor will do. Of course, you can negotiate a lower commission if the hose sells after a couple of listings, but the standard commission applies at the start of each job.
Avoid buying agents whose photos appear in online listings. The photo of them is there because they have paid for it. Don’t buy into the hype that the real estate agent is an expert on real estate in your neighborhood. Instead, do an interview and find out for yourself.
Communication between you and your purchasing agent is very important. That is why you should be interested in how the real estate agent will communicate with you. A communication window of a few hours can mean the difference between an accepted offer and a missed opportunity. That’s why you should choose a buyer’s agent who will communicate more frequently in the means of communication that work best for you, such as email, mobile phone, phone or fax.
When you contact a buyer’s agent, it’s a good sign if they ask you to interview your home you want to sell. That way, the real estate agent can evaluate the house and change a strategy that works best for you. This indicates that the real estate agent is a highly trained and experienced professional.