5 Things to Consider When Looking for a Real Estate Agent

There are many things to consider when looking for a real estate agent. One of the most important factors to think about is their level of experience with managing properties. This will all depend on the type of property that you want to buy or sell, as well as how much time you want them to spend with you. If you are a first-time home buyer, it will be helpful to have someone who is experienced in the industry to help you. However, if you are someone who already possesses years of knowledge and experience in commercial real estate investments, as well as buying investment properties, then you might not mind someone less experienced. These transactions usually take less time than residential ones. If you are looking for a real estate agent, here are the top 5 things you should consider:

Experience Matters

You want an estate agent that possesses extensive knowledge of the local real estate market. As a seller, you want to get a fair price for your property. And as a buyer, you don’t want to overpay. This is why it is vital to find an estate agent that has in-depth knowledge of the market, so that they can offer advice regarding the ideal price that you should list, or pay, for your home. They also have to be knowledgeable about the area you’re interested in. For example, Progressive Lets covers multiple areas, and if you’re looking for a real estate agent in Boston, you can click here for more information. If you’re looking to purchase an investment property, you need an agent that has experience in that area. Similarly, if you are a landlord, an agent should be able to advise you on how much rent goes for in the area you are interested in. In the case of a home that requires renovations, an agent should be able to give you a good sense of what you can expect to pay for a home in disarray. When looking for an agent, enquire about solid references. They can come from people you know who have sold or bought houses in the area, or you can ask your potential agent to supply you with a list of their clients so that you can contact them.

Personality Matters Too

Although experience is very important, it is equally as important to work with an agent who is relatable and real, and not base your decision solely on experience. You will be spending an extensive amount of time with your real estate agent, so it is important that you get along well and that your personalities do not clash. You also want to choose an agent that is good at talking as well as negotiating. The aim is to find an agent that cares about your needs, because this will motivate them to find you the perfect house and the best deal.

Check the Fees

You should aim for an agent with affordable prices. Real estate agents can set their own fees. However, most charge a commission in the 5%-6% rate range. If you run into an agent that has a much higher rate, you need to question what you’ll be receiving in return, or alternatively, try to negotiate for the rate to be deduced. Real estate agents are not against fee reductions, especially if you want to sell a home that can generate a high sale price. Reasonable fees are important because the lower the fees, the more money you take home for yourself.

Test Their Knowledge of the Market

Before getting into a business relationship with an agent, you should test their knowledge of the market to ease your mind, and ensure you are getting involved with someone who can do the job correctly. You want an agent that has extensive knowledge of the market, as well as any area that you are interested in. This will ensure that you get the best possible experience when looking to buy or sell a home, and that you get the best deal. A good real estate agent should have a wide professional network in your area, including relationships with traditional lenders such as mortgage brokers or bank managers, as well as more bespoke lenders such as Pine Financial Group who specialize in fix and flip.

Reliability

Lastly, you want an agent that is reliable, trustworthy, and professional. You need to pay attention to how the agent listens to you and learns about your tastes and preferences in order to best meet your needs. You also want an agent that is honest with you about the risks of buying and selling. Moreover, you need a realistic agent who can mitigate risks proactively. During the interviewing process, listen to agents who use real data when answering questions. Your agent also needs to be easy to get into contact with, especially for urgent matters.