Short guide and tips on finding a high-level professional real estate agent.
The best kind of the hired professional is the one, who can listen, explain and make your wishes real with the slight amendments to the market conditions. You’ll be surprised, but the key traits of professionals don’t come down to the size of the broker’s firm he/she is working or the number of transactions he closed, although these performance indicators are valuable.
There’s a common opinion among people working in the real estate business, that there’re golden 20% of good agents, who’re doing 80% of the whole business. Thus, if you’re going to enter into the real estate deal and involve the agent you should focus your attention at the golden 20%.
Signature Homes prepared several tips for you to meet your perfect agent from 20%. Please refer to them.
Tip 1: Realize the Difference between a Simple Agent and a Realtor.
All realtors have the respective license for selling real estate property, so they may act as agents. But only special agents, who have additional proven membership and compliant with the internal code of ethics and conduct of the National Association of Realtors, which is also called NAR. The abovementioned code determines high standards of professional practice, which are usually higher than simple legislation requirements. It’s probable that your agent from the golden 20% is among realtors because less than 50% of agents are members of the NAR.
Tip 2: Make a Deep Research
There’re many different sites, which propose endless lists with agents, although usually, it’s just a simple paid advertisement. Do not get hooked, it is recommended to check the websites of the big and reputable companies, which propose real estate services.
Usually, they have a list with employees, their projects and reviews from the clients, so you can note somebody with good ones. The good point also to note someone from newcomers, because they are usually very diligent and scrupulous because they only earn their reputation.
Tip 3: Visit Objects
Some objects for sale organize open reviews, where interested people may come and ask their questions. The good idea is to visit such open houses to meet a good agent, check how he/she communicates with potential clients, how competent and polite he/she is.
If you’re going to find a listing agent check how much useful information the agent provides to people, who came for the review, how active and motivated he/she is. The best practice is when an agent makes a little tour around the object, and the worse, is when he just meets people at the reception.
Tip 4: Pay Attention to Details
If you came for the opened objects or just reviews some variants in the specific area be attentive to the signs with “for sale” marks. Check the date the appear and disappear (replaced with “sold” ones). If cards changes quickly this would be a good sign for the proactive agent, who is effective in his field.
Tip 5: Work with Advertisement Properly
There’re several reasons for advertisement ordered by real estate agents: either they’re going to promote the specific object or they’re going to promote themselves. To distinguish between these aims be careful reading ads about the house and make a double-check with the agent’s profile placed on the official broker’s firm website. This way it could be easy to understand what is promoted and for what.
Tip 6: Referrals and Recommendations
If asking for recommendations from friends and relatives sounds obvious don’t hesitate to ask for such recommendations from other agents or brokers. Sometimes it happens, that the agent you wish to work with is busy or doesn’t work with the niche you’re interested in, but he/she can give you valuable contacts, so you can work with the same range professional.
The same is applicable to the mortgage brokers or loan officers at the banks, who face day to day with agents and know who is really good in the field.
Resume
As a result, of the actions performed in the previous steps you probably will have several offers from good agents. The best decision is to perform personal interviews, request them for references, and don’t be too quick with the decision. The key factor to decide whom to be involved in the deal is your comfort and potential benefits.