How to Find the Right Real Estate Agent

If you are planning to buy or sell a home, you'll definitely want to hire the best real estate agent you can find. Where do you find a good agent? What questions do you ask before hiring? Do you specialize in selling homes in this area? These are just a few questions buyers and sellers face daily while trying to make decisions.

Assuming you've been pre-qualified for a mortgage; you're now ready to start looking for the right real estate agent to work with you to find your dream home.
Start the process by talking to friends, colleagues, relatives and co-workers who may have bought or sold property in recent months.

You can also drive by open houses in the neighborhood you're planning to live in; Also, it's not a bad idea to even stop at a few of the open houses and have a talk with some of the agents at the open houses. Agents are usually excited to talk with anyone that stops by their open houses; they see each person that stops by as a future potential client.

Interview between three and five agents before you make a final decision of which one to hire. There are some specific questions you'll need to ask. For example, have you assisted any buyers or sellers to close any deals recently? How long have you been an agent? Can you provide me with at least three references I may call? An experienced agent shouldn't have any problems providing you with a list of previous clients to call.

On the other hand, there are new agents out there that are capable of assisting you in the buying and selling of your property. Being a new agent can sometimes have its advantages. For example, a new agent will try his or her best to pay attention and listen to your needs and try to fulfill them.

If you're a seller, ask the agent how will you market my house, what type of marketing plans do you have for my house? For instance, the first place an experienced agent would advertise your house is on MLS (Multiple listing services) where all agents and brokers in that state would have access. The agent would also advertise in real estate magazines, brochures, Craig's List, on-line, www.realtor.com, the local paper and regional newspapers.

Commissions paid by sellers are usually negotiable; don't hesitate to negotiate to pay a lower commission to your agent. You can tell the agent that other brokers have offered to take a lower commission. If you're a new client of this agent, the agent may offer to take a lower commission rate, with hopes of getting a referral through you.

There have been situations where a seller or buyer takes telephone references from real estate agents, yet the fail to call the references for whatever reason. That's not a good idea; you should always call all the references you get, this way you'll have more confidence in the final decision you make.

Last but not least, make sure your agent is licensed to work in the state you're buying or selling your home. There have been situations where un-licensed people pose as real estate agents and brokers, to solicit business.

By following these simple guidelines, you should be able to find the right real estate agent to assist you in buying or selling of any properties.