Eeny, meeny, miny, moe….
Typically, choosing your agent is one of the last things that people consider when they decide they’re ready to buy or sell. Picking the right agent can be overwhelming and in some cases, disappointing once the paperwork is signed. There are definitely many agents to choose from so it’s important that you take the time to decide which agent you feel will represent you best and get you the best results possible.
Here are some things to consider and even a few tips to help you pick the right agent for you:
Research and due diligence
Google is an incredible tool that you should be utilizing to find your agent. Research local agents and pick one that stands out to you. Now, research them to see if you still think that agent is a good fit. Many times you will see an agent’s social media page, and in some cases, newspaper articles that an agent wishes no one ever saw! With no one being able to hide from the Internet, you will be able to see the good, bad, and possibly ugly.
You can take it one step further and look for reviews on sites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Facebook. Zillow can act like an Angie’s List for realtors. Buyers and sellers go to these sites to leave their comments and experience with that agent or team. You should also look at how many reviews they have received, making sure they have a steady current business.
Social media
Circling back to social media, it’s important to check out an agent’s social media presence. Are they active on relevant platforms? Are they marketing their homes there? When looking for a listing agent, you want to make sure that your home is being advertised as effectively as possible and with buyers doing most of their shopping online, it only makes sense for your home to be advertised on social media. Pay attention to the following they have. If they’re active on social media but have a small following, it’s not going to help when they use these platforms to give your home exposure.
By researching an agent’s social media accounts, you can also learn a lot about them. You will get a very good sense of who a person is and what kind of agent they will be by simply looking at their Facebook page, for example. What kind of posts do they have? Are there any pictures or posts you find offensive? An agent may seem like a great fit, only to find out they are leading a double life! Keep in mind, real estate is considered a “sales” industry and you should find an agent that you feel is authentic.
Website
Anyone can have a website, it’s as easy as choosing a template and copying and pasting information. There are a few key points to look out for when visiting an agent’s site. How are you able to find the agent’s website? If typing in the URL is the only real way to access it, this will not help you or the exposure of your home. You want buyers to be able to come across the site where your home is being marketed easily. A realtor’s website should be linked to the top searching home sites, as well as search engines. Once on the website, do you like the overall aesthetics? Is it easy to navigate through? How is the speed of the site? All of these questions are important because if the answer is not a positive one, buyers will get frustrated and move onto another site and possibly another home.
Communication
Once you have selected an agent you would like to meet, reach out. Did they answer their phone? If not, how quickly did they get back to you? How well did they communicate with you? Did they ask you any questions about your home or search so they can be prepared? Odds are, the first interaction that you have with them will be a good indication of how they will communicate with you throughout the process of selling or buying a home.
Honesty
When selling your home, the agent will come to your house to do a walkthrough in order to give you their price recommendations and details of the marketing plan. Do they have accurate comparables to price your home? Do they have a marketing plan? Do they seem professional and organized? Do you trust the price that they are recommending or do you feel the agent is simply agreeing with what you want? There are many agents who will suggest a price by following your lead in order to win the listing. There’s nothing wrong with being asked what your expectations are, but ultimately the realtor should tell you the appropriate price in the current market. You want to look for an agent with an honest opinion and transparency. Even though it may not always be what you want to hear, it will set you up for success and a much smoother process.
Service
There can definitely be a variety between what each agent will offer you. For example, some agents will use their phones to take photos for marketing materials. Chances are, those agents will list your home with little to no marketing. On the opposite end of the spectrum, others can offer a customized marketing plan, professional photography and videography, staging, and other additional services that will help increase your profit and decrease your time on the market. A good way to judge the caliber of the agent you are talking to, is to check out some of their listings and see how they are being presented. All of these details should be discussed and presented to you during the listing presentation, so you will be able to take note on what will be included.
Availability
Whether buying or selling, think about what questions to ask and assess how they answered your questions. Ask them about their availability and if they are full or part time. An agent who is not fully committed to real estate cannot do the best job for you. For a buyer, you want to be aware of new properties or price changes as soon as they hit. Not when there is a shift change at the agent’s second job! For a seller, you want to make sure your agent is available for you and any buyers that may be calling on your home.
Experience and skill set
Ask about their experience and negotiating skills. Finding an agent with years of experience under their belt and a strong skill set can save you thousands of dollars. If purchasing a home, did they ask you the right questions to set up an accurate search? Do you feel they really listened to what YOU want and not what they want to sell you? Will they be aggressive in finding you the right home, including homes that are not on the market? For example, if you are looking for something in a neighborhood with limited inventory, they can offer to do a mailing to try to get you into homes that may not yet be on the market.
Connections
Lastly, don’t forget to ask them about their network! Do they work for a large company where there are more agents to network with? Do they have relationships with other professionals in the area such as attorneys, inspectors, and mortgage brokers? If they have these connections, many times this can be the difference between a deal staying together or falling apart. Having a strong network and referral database can be key to the success of your purchase or sale.
Follow these guidelines to find an agent that will be a good fit and either make you or save you money. Pick an agent you feel confident with, that has a good reputation, and a strong track record. There can still be pitfalls with any real estate contract. Following these tips, will get you an agent who can work through them successfully, and get you to the finish line!
