Working with an agent means having an expert on your side. He or she should act as a partner, taking care of your interests, and making the home buying process as easy as possible. Consequently, it is important to choose an experienced agent that you can trust and who makes you feel comfortable.
Start with an informal search, the internet, friends, the internet, real estate advertising and just looking at the sale signs on properties in the neighborhood can tell you a lot. If the same name pops up, you've probably found someone who specializes in that particular area. This can be a real plus, since the agent will probably be well versed in the homes, schools, municipal services and other important information.
Interview several agents before you make your final selection, and don’t forget to also give me, casey@margenau.com, the opportunity to discuss our services with you.
I have outlined a few questions below to help get you started on thinking about those that suit your unique requirements:
Q. What distinguishes your real estate team from the competition?
A. The prospective agent should have a personal and business philosophy that he or she can easily articulate. You should assure yourself that it is compatible with your philosophy and house hunting needs.
Q. Why should I hire you?
A. The agent or organization should be able to tell you about his or her background and experiences, success in the business (testimonials, etc) and what other advantages he or she offers you.
Q. What awards have you won?
A. Serious full time realtors win major awards because they negotiate the best deals, list the best homes, and people come back to them.
Q. How long have you have been licensed as an agent?
A. Look for somebody who has at least 5 years of experience. Getting licensed is relatively easy. Staying with the business for at least five years shows a strong commitment to the profession and a higher level of professionalism.
Q. Are you a part-time or full-time agent?
A. Part time agents can have other commitments that can get in the way of giving you full-time attention. Furthermore, they may not be successful enough to have developed enough business for a full time obligation to the business.
Q. How will you help me narrow my choices?
A. Look for someone who listens to you. Listen to how the agent discusses your options and how he/she works to sharpen your focus. Decide if his/her approach is one you like. Has he or she explained your options and tried to help you separate the good ones from less-than-optimal ones.
Q. What advice can you offer that's unique to my situation?
A. Talk to your buyer agent about your circumstances and get a sense of how he or she will advise you on the specifics of your circumstances. Make sure you are comfortable with the answers.
Q. What happens when you're not available to me?
A. Make sure your agent explains your options when he or she is out of town or otherwise engaged. If you are planning on handle some of your own research, i.e., visiting open houses, looking at new construction, etc. discuss it with your agent and find out how he or she plans to represent you in the eventual sale. Be sure to understand how a prospective agent handles periods of unavailability, even when they are temporarily unavailable or assisting other clients.
Q. What distinguishes your personal service from other real estate agents?
A. Listen to how the agent describes his/her skills and willingness to be there for you – when you need them, in the way you need them. Think about how often you want to communicate, as well as when and how. Choose an agent who gives you a confident response to working with you on your terms.
Q. What kind of support staff do you have?
A. A top notch team of expert assistants with specialties such as research, marketing, administration, finance and sales, allow the agent to devote most of there time to working on behalf of clients.
After each interview, ask yourself:
- Do you like this agent?
- Does he/she seem ethical and honest?
- Do they seem to listen and try to understand what you want?
- Does he or she seem realistic when talking about your requirements for a home and the anticipated purchase?
- Do you communicate well with him or her and do they communicate well with you?
- What kind of questions does he/she ask?
- Do you seem to have a compatible point of view?
- Is she or he experienced, dedicated and motivated to help you?
