We often spend too much time searching for the right home, and not nearly enough time choosing the right estate agent. However, the right agent can make the process quicker, easier, and could even help you score a much better home for a lower price. So, before hitting the streets in search of the perfect house, take some time to select the right estate agent for the task ahead.
1. The Right Agent Will Know About Unadvertised Properties
Top agents constantly have their fingers on the pulse of the markets they serve. This means they know about properties the second a seller decides to put it on the market, and you can get the first look and first chance to bid on interesting finds. A good estate agent has solid leads in the market, and is on good terms with everyone in the local property circles.
She?s also likely to know if the seller is willing to take significantly less than the asking price, and why. Often, knowing why a seller is willing to take less is as important as knowing what they?re willing to accept.
2. The Right Agent Will Know the Area
If you?re shopping for?houses in London, it won?t do you much good to hire an estate agent who specializes in properties in Birmingham. While a few agents may have knowledge of more than one area, the best ones become experts in a single geographic location.
They?ll know everything about the schools, religious institutions, shopping venues, entertainment options, and social climate of the area where the work. Get an agent who?s intimate with your desired area.
3. The Right Agent Will Keep You from Getting Emotional
Home buying is a long process, and lots of difficult decisions are involved. Even the most stable home buyer tends to get frustrated or become overly anxious about a home or a price. The solid real estate agent will keep buyers on an even keel, preventing their emotions from clouding their good decision-making. They won?t allow you to jump into a questionable deal, or storm away from a potential great deal.
4. The Right Agent is a Good Negotiator
Once you find the perfect home, the work isn?t over. That?s when the real task begins. A good agent is also a superb negotiator. Not only will she help you bargain for the best possible price, she?ll also be able to get you extra perks, such as reduced closing costs, an insurance policy on the purchase, have those loose steps mended before the sell, or get the seller to toss in the playground equipment that?s sitting in the backyard.
5. The Right Agent Will Represent You, Not the Seller
The best agents work with either the buyer or the seller ? not both. It?s impossible for an agent to work in the best interest of both parties at the same time, because the best deal for the seller isn?t the same thing as the best deal for the buyer.
For this reason, it pays to work with an independent buyer?s agent who has no involvement with the seller. Most of the time, the two agents split the four to six percent commission on the sale, so you don?t pay more just because two agents are involved in the transaction.
6. The Right Agent Fits Your Personality
It sounds trite, but since you?ll likely be working closely with the agent for several weeks or months, you?ll need one you click with. If the agent irritates you, it?s only going to make the entire process more difficult than necessary. Even if the agent has a stellar record and recommendations, make sure he?s someone you can get along with easily during the process. There are too many agents available to force yourself to work with one you can?t get along with.
7. The Right Agent Will Listen to What You Want
Have you ever explained to an agent how important it is to have three bedrooms, a porch, and a large bathroom, only to have them escort you to a two-bedroom unit with no deck and a miniature bath? It?s annoying. The right agent will sit down with you and get a complete wish list for your new home. He?ll ask you what is negotiable and what?s absolutely necessary. Then, he will only show you homes that meet your criteria.
8. The Right Agent Will Get the Proper Home Inspections
Many problems, such as foundation issues, roof problems, plumbing, and electrical issues aren?t easy for home buyers to spot. It takes a trained and experienced inspector to seek out and identify things that could cost you time and money down the line. The best agents go the extra mile to assure problems are identified and addressed before the purchase is made final.
9. The Right Agent Will Be Patient
If your agent is rushing your decision, trying to force you to buy a home you?re not happy with, or isn?t doing his best to negotiate you a good deal, you?re using the wrong one. A good agent takes all the time necessary to find the right location, select the best home within that area, work to get the right price for it, and make sure all the loose ends are tied up in time. Never settle for an agent who rushes your home buying decisions.
Follow these steps to make sure your estate agent is right for you:
- Ask for references or referrals
- Interview the agent before making a decision
- Chat with her long enough to get a sense of her personality
- Choose one with knowledge of the area where you?re interested
- Ask lots of questions about their experience in the area where you?re home shopping
A lengthy interview process is easier in the long run than choosing the wrong agent and having a bad home buying experience. Home ownership is one of the most exciting things one can do, so get a great agent to help you make this a memorable process, not a difficult process.
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