Hunting for a home or putting one on the market is an exciting experience. Nothing compares to the feeling you get once you’ve found the perfect home or closed a great deal.
Before you get there however, you will need to navigate past potential roadblocks and make huge decisions throughout the buying and selling process. Having an experienced and reliable agent at your side is one of the best ways to ensure you find the right home or get top dollar for your property.
Here are some helpful tips for you to keep in mind:
Experience is a major factor, but it’s not everything
You want to find an agent who will work for you and with you. Having years of experience is always a great thing to have, but it shouldn’t be a deal breaker.
Remember that you’ll be spending a lot of time with your agent, so you want to find one who you know you’ll get along with. Choose an agent who is relatable, has excellent communication skills, and a great personality.
Make sure you’re on the same page when it comes to communication
Lack of communication from an agent is a common problem for many buyers and sellers. It helps to know how your agent plans to communicate with you right from the start.
Find out how often you will expect to hear from your agent. If you prefer talking to someone over the phone instead of through email or text messaging, let the agent know, and ask whether or not this could be a problem for them.
Look for referrals from other homeowners
While today’s online technology definitely makes the entire home buying and selling process easier, finding the right real estate agent mostly still requires a person-to-person connection.
Getting referrals is key. You won’t find a better testament to an agent’s success than a referral from a former client. Ask family, friends, or neighbors for recommendations. There’s always a real estate expert in any area – referrals will serve as your guide to finding them.
Interview several agents
Avoid settling on the very first agent you get in touch with. Talking with several agents gives you an opportunity to compare and contrast, increasing your chances of finding an agent who’ll be a good fit.
While you might already find a standout based on a solid referral, remember to ask the same set of questions to at least three agents, so you can compare their responses.
Here are some key questions you can ask:
- Do you work primarily with home buyers or sellers?
- How many active clients do you work with on average?
- Do you work by yourself or with a team?
- What do you specialize in?
- What are your plans for marketing my home?
- What are some unique situations you’ve encountered, and how did you deal with them?
Ready to buy or sell a home in San Francisco? Work with the top real estate agents in San Francisco today! Get in touch with us at 415.602.0570, or send an email to amir(dotted)hardy(at)compass(dotted)com.