Ah, buying the home of your dreams – what an exciting life event! The thought of becoming a homeowner probably fills you with giddy anticipation because who doesn’t want their own little corner of the world? But… If you’re a first-time buyer, the idea of entering a competition like the current market, it’s overwhelming! Where do you even start?
Choose the right real estate agent to buy your dream home
That, dear friend, is where a real estate agent can save the day. When you’re choosing a realtor, we recommend that you keep these things in mind:
Have a clear idea of what you want
Prior to entering the market, you need to understand what it is that you want, both in a house and real estate agent. Do you want a single-family home or is a condo or townhouse more appealing? What kind of features and amenities should the property have? Do you want a realtor who shows you every single property that has some of the things on your wish list or do you want only the top contenders?
Trust your intuition
When you’re talking to real estate agents, don’t ignore your intuition. If you’re communicating with an agent and they rub you the wrong way, don’t be afraid to call them out or move on to another agent. Buying a house is a big deal and you don’t want someone on your team that gives you negative vibes.
Technology is a helpful tool
Technology is an incredibly useful tool for many aspects of our lives and choosing a realtor is no different. You can use the internet to look for agents in your area that you’d be interested in working with. With that said, you don’t want to hire just anyone!
Research is important
While the internet’s search engine is a great source of information, you should still do your homework and do some real-life research. Ask people in your circle if they’ve worked with any real estate agents lately and if so, can they talk about their experience. If they’re unable to help, don’t be afraid to join a local group on social media and ask for their insight.
Don’t be afraid to interview agents
After finding a few realtors that you think you’d like to work with, ask if they’d be willing to set up an appointment where you can ask them a few questions. If they agree, ask them about their career, experience, marketing strategy, and familiarity with the area. The name of the game here is to find an agent who knows the market like the back of their hand and makes you feel confident that they’ll work with your best interest at heart.
Inquire about their professional connections
A real estate agent isn’t the only person that’ll be on your team – the agent’s professional connections are important too. The agent you chose should have a decent collection of qualified professionals like contractors, home inspectors, landscapers, and lenders. If they can’t provide you with this information, you may want to reconsider hiring that particular agent.
Compare agents to one another
While you’re interviewing agents, take notes. Then once you’ve done your research and concluded those interviews, go home and review your notes. Create a pros and cons list for each agent. Look over those pros and cons, as well as the overall feeling you got when you spoke to them.
Hire an agent
Insights from top real estate professionals indicate that it’s a strong buyer’s market and you’ll definitely want to have an experienced agent on your side! Hiring an agent requires a lot of foresight. You need to make sure that you’re working with someone that has all the qualifications you’re looking for, has a good reputation in the community, and listens to your concerns.
