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Hiring a good realtor can make all the difference in the home buying or selling process. The right person takes a whole lot of stress off of you. If you are planning to sell or buy a real estate property, keep reading for 7 tips for choosing the best realtor.
A housing market is a risky place. An ample amount of in-depth knowledge and research is a prerequisite for every real estate agent and realtor. If you are selling or buying for the first time, there is a lot of ground to break.
We will begin with some information about who realtors are and then follows a brief guide for choosing the best one for you.
Who Is A Realtor?
A real estate professional is licensed to help people make real estate transactions. They are trained, are required to pass exams before practicing. To become a realtor, a licensed professional needs to be a member of the National Association of Realtors®.
As a member, the realtors abides by the code of ethics and standards established by the association. Hiring a realtor is expensive as compared to hiring an agent or broker as they have access to access to real estate market data and transaction management services.
Difference Between A Realtor And Real Estate Agents
A lot of homeowners are confused between real estate agents and realtors. Now you know the definition of a realtor, let us take a look at real estate agents. These individuals get proper training and pass standard exams to get a license.
The required number of training hours vary by jurisdiction. They study federal real estate laws, general real estate principles, and state-specific laws. But the real estate agent is not a member of NAR. The association holds the realtors at high standards.
You will also come across “real estate brokers”. These professionals have taken education beyond a real estate agent and have more depth of knowledge. But they do not hold membership in NAR.
7 Tips For Choosing The Best One
1. Request Referrals
You need to do some legwork before you hire a realtor. The first step is to ask around for some suggestions and recommendations. Request referrals from friends, family members, or people at work. Meet people at an open house and gobble up the information. These days we rely on reviews for everything we buy and hiring a realtor is no different. Checking the views of your peers can give you an edge over others. You don’t want to make the mistakes others made.
2. Verify Credentials
There are so many options and it is easy to get confused between them. Not all of them meet industry standards and are looking to exploit homeowners. There are different certifications and accreditations a realtor can get so it is practical to look for any of the following.
- SRS (Seller Representative Specialist)
- Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource (SFR)
- ABR (Accredited Buyer’s Representative)
- CRS (Certified Residential Specialist)
3. Take A Look At Their Past Sales
You need to look at what types of houses they have sold and bought. What is the average deal closing time? How close was the price to the listed price? Ask these important questions to find the best realtor for you and your home.
Keep in mind that you need a realtor who has already dealt with houses like yours. Best realtors provide references and guide homeowners to choose their services or not.
4. Check Their Current Listings
You can find current listings of agents on online real estate databases. Checking the listings gives you an idea of how your property will be presented. Is the home well presented? Is the write-up enticing and error-free? Check the online presence of the realtor and their official website. If you don’t find the listings interesting or appealing, there are several other options out there.
5. Find A Realtor You Can Trust
Sometimes all the boxes tick but your gut tells you not to trust. If that is the case, refuse and find another agent. You are going to work with a realtor for a long time, important decisions are to be made and financial transactions will be finalized, you need to find someone you can trust.
6. Asses Their Communication And Customer Care Services
Top real estate agents have stellar reputations because of their excellent communication skills. It is difficult to get hold of all the technical terms of the real estate market. You will need assistance from your agent so the individual must possess good communication skills. Are you able to contact them in their service hours?
Assess their customer care services. What happens after the deal is signed? Choose a person that you are comfortable working with. The best realtors keep the customers in the loop at every phase of the transaction.