3 Tips For Choosing Your Real Estate Agent
Whether you're buying or selling a home, choosing a real estate agent that is right for you is a major part of the process. If you're a first-time buyer, no doubt you'll want to be armed with knowledge going into the purchasing process and avoid getting the short end of the stick. And if you're a seller, you'll want to be certain that you'll get top dollar for your home. So keep reading below to discover three tips that will help you choose the best realtor available.
Get a List of References
All licensed realtors should have a list readily available of the properties they've sold within the past year, as well contact information for each of their clients. Don't hesitate to contact former clients and ask them about their experience with the realtor in question. If the clients are comfortable talking about hard numbers, jot some figures down for future reference. Ask about the asking and final selling price, especially if the client was in a comparable location. You may also want to ask your realtor what percentage of their business is repeat or referral business, which is a good indication that their clients are more than satisfied.
Test Knowledge of the Local Market
If you haven't been paying attention to houses for sale in your neighborhood recently, now is a good time to start. Take note of properties close by that are in the same price range as yours, and ask realtors to provide details of each of them, preferably in conversation. An experienced, knowledgeable realtor will have no problem rattling off important information regarding local properties. If they struggle to provide basic facts and figures, it shows they don't have a solid grasp on the area, or perhaps that their focus is on another neighborhood entirely.
Understand Various Marketing Strategies
When it comes to selling your home, a realtor's promise to sell it quickly at full asking price just isn't good enough. You'll want to sit down with realtors (such as those from THE MARCONIRE GROUP) and ask each of them to describe in detail their individual marketing strategies. Some realtors may focus on more traditional methods, such as flyers and advertising in local real estate publications while others see more value in creating an online presence, complete with an attractive website and virtual tours of your property. A marketing strategy that is clear and proven to work is the one you'll want to go with.
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