6 Tips for Finding a Great Realtor

When you’re shopping for a real estate agent, you obviously are wanting to hire the best. The task of finding a realtor is hard when you see advertisements all over the place: yard signs, online ads, direct-mail postcards, television commercials and more. How do you wade through the never-ending amount of realtors in your area to find the perfect realtor?

When it comes to doing your research on a real estate agent it’s much harder. You actually need to do some research to check their background, sales history, and references. Here are 6 tips ways to research a realtor before you hire them to work for you.

Talk With Recent Clients

Ask agents to provide you with a list of what they’ve listed and sold in the past year, with contact information for all sales. Make sure to ask past sellers what the asking price was and what the final sale price was. If you’re selling, ask if the previous properties were similar to yours in price, location and other features. You want an agent who specializes in the same type of property as the one you are trying to sell.

Make sure to also check online resources, social media platforms for the realtor, and research their name online as well. Many people will leave bad reviews online, by researching the realtor's name online you may come across any negative reviews along with positive reviews.

Check Licensing

Ensure you make this the most important task. I personally would suggest this as your very first step before moving forward with any realtor, or any other service industry such as the plumber, electrician and so on. States will have licensing departments that are responsible for licensing and discipline for real estate agents. Check your state’s regulatory body to find the licensing information for your prospective realtor. Make sure to check if the realtor has had any disciplinary actions or complaints. You may be able to find this information online but if not simply contact the appropriate agency. Feel free to ask the realtor for the contact information as most of the time they are required to give the information if they are asked for it. If they fail to release or share this information that is one red flag.

Credentials

Just like doctors and lawyers, all real estate agents have specialties. A realtor will take additional training just to be educated in certain areas of real estate. So the letters behind their name will be an indication of additional classes they have completed.

Longevity

During your research with the state licensing board make sure to check with them on the extent of the realtor’s experience. Typically the licensing department will let you know how long the realtor has been licensed. With any service type business the longer they have been in business the better that is for you as the seller/buyer. With longevity comes experience……..So find a realtor that has some years behind them.

Current Agent Listings

Check the agent’s current listings online. Make sure to check the realtor's website as well as other websites not associated with the realtor such as the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). You want an agent who’s current listings to mirror your home as you will be comfortable knowing they can properly sell your home. Is there a lot of competition already listed compared to what you are wanting to list?

Local Sales Area

Ask the realtor for information on other homes in the same area. Your realtor should be able to quickly provide you with information on other properties available in the area, list some features, and give you pricing information. Mention a few homes in your area that’s sold or listed recently. If the agent knows the property and features, that means she really knows your area. An agent that can give you this information with little to no work is the type of agent you really want to work with.

Looking for a new realtor? Contact us today to get started on your home buying/selling adventure. We can provide you with the information you need to ensure we are a great match for your real estate needs. We would be happy to help get your family into the perfect home.