Do you dread the idea of working with areal estate agent? Are you worried that it will be an experience filled with
pressure to buy, scary contracts, and hidden costs? Do you think Realtors are only
helpful for people who can’t afford to buy a home on their own? Luckily there
are plenty of kind, trustworthy real estate agents out there. Working with a
real estate agent can make your home-buying process much smoother. A local
expert can help answer your questions about the market and find homes that will
meet your needs and budget. However, not all real estate agents are created
equal. Not everyone is a good fit for every client. That’s why it’s important
to do some research and find the right person for you before signing on with
anyone.
Ask Friends and Family for Recommendations
One of the best places to start is withpeople you trust and who have been through this process before. They may know
the names of a few agents they had a positive experience with. Or, they may
know someone who had a terrible experience with an agent and can warn you to
avoid that person at all costs. If you don’t know anyone who has bought a home
recently, or you don’t feel comfortable asking, try asking your real estate agent.
You may not feel comfortable asking that person, but they are required to put
your best interests first, so they will be unlikely to steer you in the wrong
direction.
Research Agents and Real Estate Companies
Once you have a short list of names, it’stime to do a little research on each agent and the real estate company they
work for. You may want to start with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if
any company is listed as having complaints against them. The Arizona Real
Estate Commission (AREC) also has some information on their website about the
licensing and disciplinary actions taken against real estate agents and
companies. You can also check online reviews, but take these reviews with a
grain of salt. Some reviews are left by people who have never even met the
agent they are reviewing and are just trying to troll the business owner. You
also don’t want to completely ignore all reviews. There are some helpful
reviews that can give you a sense of how this person or company interacts with
clients.
Set Your Goals and Expectations
When you are interviewing agents, make surethat you have a few goals in mind. What are the most important things you are
looking for in a real estate agent? Is it helpful to work with someone who has
experience with your specific type of purchase, like buying a home with a VA
loan? Do you want an agent who is familiar with the area you are looking in? Is
it more important to work with someone who has a positive reputation as a
trustworthy professional, or can you work with someone who is new to the
business?
Decide How You Want to Buy
Are you comfortable buying “for cash,” orwould you prefer to put 10% down and getting a mortgage for the rest? Are there
specific types of loans you would prefer to avoid? Are there any programs that
you would like to be prioritized and applied for first? Are you willing to look
at fixer-uppers, or would you rather wait for a pristine property? Knowing what
your preferences are for the type of purchase you want to make will help narrow
down your search and guide the agent in the right direction.
Meet with Potential Agents
Now that you have a short list of agents totalk to, set up some time to meet with each of them. Ask them about their
experience and why they became a real estate agent. See how they respond to
your questions and concerns. If they seem like a good fit, set up a second
meeting to talk about the specific purchase you are making and to see if they
are a good match. Some agents specialize in specific types of properties, like
commercial real estate. They will likely be able to help you make a more
informed decision when it comes to that type of purchase.
Negotiate the Contract
Real estate agents make money when theysell houses. They get paid when they put a deal together and get a percentage
of the closing costs and sales price. This means that they are in your best
interests when it comes to negotiating the contract. They get paid the same
whether you make a low offer on a house or put in a high offer and get
rejected. They will want the best deal for you and will be willing to negotiate
on your behalf to get it. Make sure that you have a clear idea of what you
want. Bring a few houses that you are interested in buying with you when you
meet with the agent.
Bottom line
Choosing the right real estate agent can bea daunting task, but with a little bit of research, perseverance, and
communication, you can find the perfect match. Remember that your agent works
for you and is there to help you find the home you want at the best price
possible. They are there to answer your questions and help you navigate the
buying process. It’s important to find someone who makes you feel comfortable
and is willing to work with you to find the home of your dreams.
