Selecting a real estate agent is one of the easiest ways to find your new home. Most people end up choosing friends and family members as their real estate agents without considering different factors. You can choose from a lot of real estate agents from a lot of realtors. We are now fast approaching the spring seasons and this is the time when sellers and buyers are interviewing agents. With those huge numbers of real estate agents, how are you going to choose the best one for your needs and preferences?
Here are the five tips from Yancey and Amy Petrone of ReMax Realty Group.
Negotiating Skills. According to Petrone, don’t hire a “yes” man or woman, because if this person is just saying yes to everything without commenting about your home, he or she might be telling lies. It’s not always how he or she can list a higher price on your home compared to other agents. You should also ask about how they come up with the price that they said.
Would you go for Full-time or part-time agent? Yancey said that many people underestimate how much time is actually involved in promoting a successful real estate sale and purchase. “You need to make sure the agent you hire has the availability and the flexibility to handle the time commitment that goes along with this job,” she said. “If they are part time and working another job, will they be able to handle your inquiries? The market right now is a sellers’ market, with houses at certain price levels selling same day due to low inventory.”
Referrals. Yancey suggested asking your friends for referrals. With their experiences in working with a certain real estate agent in selling or buying their homes, they can find you the best person. You can also ask them if they know how to communicate effectively, negotiate well, and can offer great advice.
Check for Specialization. Know the agent’s specialization so you’ll both know if he or she is good in selling or finding a house to buy.
Marketing Strategies. Yancey added to ask the agents to present to you a clear plan of how they will market your home. “You want someone that has lots of tools and know how to use them — someone, who is web-savvy,” she said. “You want to choose the best fit for you. If they are a true professional, they will welcome the opportunity to interview and earn your business,” she said.
Source: http://www.realestate.com.au/
