With a licensed Realtor at your side, the complicated process of buying or selling a home becomes so much easier. Whether you’re a buyer or seller, finding a good agent should be your first order of business. Here are a few tips to help you find the perfect one:
Know your REALTORS® from your real estate agents
A REALTOR® is a member of the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR members are real estate agents who pledge to adhere to NAR’s stringent code of ethics. Whether you’re buying or selling a house, these professionals are obligated to have your best interests at heart.
Word of mouth is still king
Not sure where to start looking for a real estate agent? Begin by asking your family and friends which agent they used when they bought or sold their house. After all, who better to tell you if an agent is good or not than the people they’ve already worked with? You can also ask an agent to furnish you a list of previous clients. Give them a call and see what feedback they give.
Look at their track record
As they say, numbers don’t lie. That’s why you should double-check the agent’s track record. How many houses have they sold in the past year? Were they able to get the best price for homes? How long do they take to sell or find a home for clients? Do they have industry awards or recognitions?
Do they live in the area?
There are several benefits to working with an agent that lives in the area you wish to move to. First, they know the area like the back of their hand, and they can easily provide you information such as available listings, historical property prices, the temperature of the market, and so on. More importantly, it indicates that they believe in the area enough to actually invest there. When they’re genuinely proud of the neighborhood, they’ll work extra hard to make you a part of it.
Find a tech-savvy agent
The internet has fundamentally changed how people look for the things they need – including their future homes. That’s why nowadays, you need an agent that’s every bit as tech and internet-savvy as your average teenager. Such an agent can utilize online platforms like online listing sites and social media channels to reach more would-be homebuyers. If you’re a buyer, your agent should have, at the very least, a website where available properties are listed.
Are their licenses up to date?
There will always be unscrupulous people who pose as registered real estate agents or those whose licenses have lapsed. It never hurts to double-check if they are duly licensed by the state. To check, visit your state’s real estate department website, and see if an agent’s name is listed there. You should also check if an agent has faced disciplinary actions in the past.
Are you looking for an experienced and trusted local Realtor in Cleveland? Get in touch with Cici Riley at 216.410.3114 or e-mail her at ciciriley(at)howardhanna(dotted)com.