PROPERTYSPARK ARTICLE
How to Find the Best Real Estate Agent for Your Unique Needs
Real estate investors often choose to work with a real estate agent to simplify their buying or selling experience, get deeper market insights, and gain access to new networks. However, the effectiveness of this hire is dependent on the relationship between the agent and the investor. Investors place a great deal of trust in their agents throughout the sale or purchase process, so it’s crucial to choose an agent with the right skills to make these processes as straightforward and stress-free as possible.
Why a strong buyer-agent relationship is key
Each real estate agent has unique processes they use to serve their clients. These processes can influence everything from how clients communicate with their agents to how an agent markets their listings. It’s crucial for agents and buyers to communicate their needs, set expectations early, and define what each party needs for this relationship to be successful. This step helps avoid any misunderstandings and prevents the development of unrealistic expectations.
Where can you find good real estate agents?
You already know it’s important to find a good real estate agent when you want to buy or sell property — but where can you find the best agents? Here are three recommendations to start with:
1. Referrals from friends and family
Many buyers have at least some experience dealing in real estate and often use an agent to help them throughout the process. You can start your search for a trustworthy and knowledgeable real estate agent by asking your friends and family if they have someone they would recommend. This can take the guesswork out of finding a reliable consultant and help you to be confident in your choice.
2. Social media
Social media has become an increasingly important resource for buyers and sellers alike. More real estate agents are also using social media to establish a stronger online presence. 80% of real estate agents planned to use social media to grow their business in 2022. This makes it easier for investors to find agents on their social media platform of choice. Such platforms can also be an excellent way to find reviews and comments from other sellers or buyers who have worked with the agents on your shortlist.
3. Local real estate association websites
If you’re moving to a new location, you might not have the local connections necessary to build a shortlist of agents by crowdsourcing information from your own network. A good first move for investors moving to or buying property in a new place is to check local real estate association websites to find the most experienced and reliable agents available in the area. This can be a good place to put together a preliminary list of potential experts to work with.
How to choose the best agent for your needs
Once you’ve completed your preliminary research, you should have a shortlist of agents you’d be willing to work with. Follow these tips to make sure that the agent you choose is the best one for your needs.
Meet with multiple agents before selecting one
Before committing to a single agent, be sure to evaluate all the options available to you. Investors should always meet multiple agents to ensure that they’re making the best choice. In-person meetings can give investors an opportunity to set expectations, make clarifications, and ensure compatible working styles. Having a list of multiple agents can help investors compare the pros and cons of each, and also will help them avoid having to restart their search from scratch if an agent ends up not working out.
Ask prospective agents about the local real estate market
Modern investors are better informed and have access to more localized information due to social media and online real estate platforms like Zillow and Redfin. However, your agent should add value beyond the information you can find online. When interviewing or evaluating real estate agents, always ask them questions about the local real estate market to test their knowledge and to ensure they can meet your unique property needs.
Research your agent online
Realtors are using the internet more than ever before to advertise themselves and their listings. 90% of real estate businesses use Facebook to publish information about themselves, while approximately half use Instagram and LinkedIn. These platforms are often used to showcase popular listings, profiles on agents, and the agency’s past experience. Buyers and sellers should always peruse an agent’s social profiles to verify an agent’s track record and expertise before committing to them.
Make sure your agent has a plan to serve you
When you interview an agent, ensure that they are aware of your unique goals for buying or selling a property. Once these goals have been communicated, the agent should have a clear game plan on how they’ll help achieve them. For example, if your property has been newly renovated, you might want to showcase these renovations with a video tour. It’s crucial that the agent you choose has a clear idea of how they plan to market the listing and close the deal — and this plan should be defined and communicated early in the relationship.
Choose an agent you feel comfortable working with
While hard skills, experience, and positive reviews are important factors to consider when choosing an agent, you should also feel comfortable sharing your opinions and communicating with your agent at all times. Always consider the agent’s personality and how you feel when you are with them — the right agent should make you feel at ease and assured.
Finding the right real estate agent for your needs
There are many real estate agents vying for your business and attention. It can be difficult to make the right choice if you’re not sure what you’re looking for. The above tips can help ensure that the agent you choose will be able to deliver the stress-free buying experience that you are looking for.
Author Bio:
Mike Bang is Head of Growth at Azibo, the smarter way to manage your rental properties with tools for rent collection, tenant screening, banking, insurance and more.
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