How to Choose a Real Estate Agent

When shopping for your dream house, it is important to choose the right real estate agent to have on your side. It’s one of the first steps to buying a home. With their years of experience and access to insider information, real estate agents can help find properties that fit your criteria and assist you with getting the best possible outcome during negotiation.

Though it might be tempting to just go with a random agent recommended to you by your friend or family member, you really do need to take the time to shop around for the best possible agent. There are many considerations, which we will explore here, including how much real estate commissions are. 

8 Questions to help you choose a real estate agent

If you want to know how to choose a real estate agent, follow this questionnaire to make sure you end up working with the right real estate agent.

1. What credentials does the agent have?

Talk to the agent about their training and credentials to learn a little about what knowledge they have. Anyone who is a licensed real estate agent will have a fair amount of training and knowledge, but it can be helpful to get someone with additional knowledge.

Look for an experienced agent who is either an accredited buyer’s representative, which means they know how to represent a buyer in a real estate transaction, or a certified residential specialist which means they have training in residential real estate.

2. Does the agent focus on buying or selling properties?

Of course, a good real estate agent can work both as a buyer’s agent and a listing agent, but most people have one side of the business they specialize in. Getting an agent who spends a lot of time with buyers means you will have someone who knows all about finding properties that fit your criteria and negotiating all the details of a closing. However, if you plan on selling your current home, picking a real estate agent with selling experience is always useful.

3. Can you speak to recent clients?

See if the agent is willing to give you contact information for recent clients. This lets you get a decent idea of what it is like to work with the agent. Be sure to ask former customers about the asking price and final sales price to see how well the agent negotiates.

Ask about what they were most, and least, satisfied with, and whether or not they would recommend the Realtor. Of course, there is always the possibility of encountering a client who may have something to complain about.

Although, not every dissatisfaction is the fault of a Realtor, so pay attention to everything you hear or read, but also use your judgment to ensure you’re operating with the best set of facts. There are at least two sides to every story.

how to choose the right real estate agent

4. Does the agent communicate well?

Pay attention to how fast the real estate agent gets back to you, and see if they are willing to communicate by phone, email, or any other preferred method. Think about whether they answer your calls quickly or always just have a secretary leave you a message. You want to find someone who is easy to get in touch with and convenient to communicate with.

5. What sorts of properties does the agent usually work with?

Ask the agent about the types of properties they normally end up selling. Most real estate agents have an area they specialize in, so it is helpful to get someone who focuses on the type of property you want to buy.

For example, if you want to buy a historic home, you will need an agent who actually knows the lingo and can discuss different historic styles. Check out the agent’s current and recent listings to see if they are similar to the type of property you want to end up with.

6. How well does the agent know the area?

You also need an agent who has plenty of knowledge and experience in the area you are looking in. A good agent can provide valuable tips about where you might want to look for houses, and they should know enough about the different neighborhoods to steer you away from undesirable places. Even the best real estate agent may not be useful if you want to look in a region they are entirely unfamiliar with.

7. Does the agent have any helpful real estate connections?

Real estate agents who have been in the business for a while often build up a pool of trusted professionals that they can recommend. They may work with certain banks that offer good financing deals, or they might know of a few home inspectors in your local market that always do a good job. Though not always necessary, having an agent with these sorts of connections can help your home-buying process to go a little more smoothly.

8. How many clients does the agent work with at a time?

When working with a real estate agent, you always want to feel like you are a priority. Talk with the agent about how many clients they tend to work with at a time. Ask who will handle your needs if the agent is busy.

It is fine to pick an agent with a bustling business, but you do not want someone who makes you feel rushed or ignores your needs. A good agent always has time for their clients.

At the Heather Murphy Real Estate Group, we’re sure you’ll find our team to be expertly knowledgeable, our credentials to be superior, and our customer service to be the best!

steps to choosing a real estate agent

8 Steps to choosing a real estate agent

The following steps should make choosing the right real estate agent an easier job.

1. Compare real estate agents online

One way to start the vetting process of finding a real estate agent is to use Google or another search engine to locate real estate agents in your area. You can see reviews from previous clients and see if there are any consistent complaints. Once you have narrowed down your choices, you can use other online tools to verify an agent’s online reputation. Pro tip: Pay attention to how your potential agent handles negative and neutral reviews.

2. Check out the local real estate market in person

If you have the time, take a walk or drive around your local market looking for repeat agents’ names on real estate signs. Bonus points if they are next to a “sold” sign. Our research shows that 5% of sellers are able to find agents through a for-sale sign while 16% choose an agent by getting to know them.

You can also visit an open house nearby to observe how the agent interacts with potential buyers. Don’t rush to get a business card. Instead, spend some time with the agent. Pay attention to personality and professional chemistry. Seven percent of sellers meet their real estate agents at an open house.

3. Interview at least three agents

Do not settle for the first real estate agent you meet. Zillow’s research shows that 56% of sellers only contact one agent. However, talking to multiple agents will allow you to compare and contrast the different agents to find the right fit. It’s like interviewing for a job. You might be able to identify a top-performing agent based on local reputation or a referral. However, you should ask all three real estate agents the same questions so that you can compare their answers.

interview at least three real estate agents

4. Ask the right questions

Ask important questions to get a feel for the business’s style.

  • What is your experience in the real estate industry?
  • Are you more likely to work with sellers or buyers?
  • How many clients are you currently have?
  • Are you part of a large team?
  • Who is your real estate broker?
  • What is your specialization?
  • Is your team equipped to deal with my particular situation?
  • How would you market my house?

5. Give your communication preferences

From the beginning, make sure you are on the same page. Discuss with your potential real estate agent how they will keep you informed, and how often you can expect to hear from them. You may not be a good match if you prefer email, but the agent responds best to phone calls. This is important as every real estate transaction requires a lot of communication throughout the entire process.

6. Clarify your motivations to sell

You should clearly state any specific requirements for your home sale. Do you have a set timeline? Do you need to sell for a certain dollar amount? Are you trying to avoid capital gains tax by selling in a specific time window? These details should be shared from the beginning with your agent so they know what to expect.

7. Discuss the selling strategy

You and your listing agent should agree on the selling strategy. Are you open to hosting open houses? What number of showings would you like to have? Is there a certain lead time you would like to get from the agent before a showing? What marketing strategy will the agent use to market the property?

8. All important details must be agreed upon

The final step in your real estate agent search is to make sure that there are clear expectations. You should agree in writing on the commission structure, the listing price on the multiple listing service, and the length of your contract (e.g. what happens if your house doesn’t sell after a certain time). Your listing agent should already have all of this information by the time you sign the listing agreement.

Only after these steps are completed are you ready to choose a real estate agent.

For more information about buying your Savannah dream home or Pooler GA dream home, contact your local Realtor today!