If you’re looking to buy or sell a home, you’ll likely have to work with a real estate
agent. While you can research properties on your own, it’s best to get a seasoned
pro on your side. You want someone who knows the local housing market,
understands home finance and mortgages, has a good grasp of local property laws,
can effectively negotiate with sellers, and so on.
A great real estate agent also possesses certain personal qualities. They’re
tenacious and resourceful, and they’ll work until they know they’ve done everything
possible to make a deal go through. They’re patient, as well, and they can help
buyers navigate the often-long process of buying or selling a home.
They’re clear communicators. Great agents can listen to their clients, understand
what they’re looking for in a new home or listing, and explain complicated legal
terms in an easy-to-understand way. They’re also available by phone and email
during business hours and respond to text messages within a reasonable time
frame. It only takes one miscommunication or delayed response to derail a real
estate transaction, so look for an agent who’s a great communicator.
When it comes to buying a home, a great real estate agent will ask plenty of
questions. They’ll ask about your desired price range, whether you have children,
pets or other lifestyle preferences that could affect the type of home you need, and
a lot more. They’ll use this information to guide you through the home-buying
process and find the perfect property for your needs. Also read https://www.newleafhousebuyers.com/
Then, when it comes to selling a home, they’ll take into account your situation and
the market, recommend a selling price, and advertise your home on the multiple
listing service (MLS). They’ll even be there to help you during closing negotiations.
They have a network of professionals they can recommend. Great agents have
relationships with local banks that offer mortgage loans, builders who can handle
home remodels and upgrades, and painters, plumbers, landscapers and other
maintenance specialists who can make your life easier once you move into your new
house. They’ll use this network to refer their clients to people they trust, which
makes the entire experience smoother for everyone involved.
It’s also worth mentioning that great real estate agents are full-time pros. There’s
nothing wrong with a part-time gig, but when it comes to a life-changing event like
buying or selling a home, you’ll want to make sure your agent is 100% committed to
the industry. You can verify this by looking up their real estate license and
contacting your state’s real estate regulator to see whether they’ve received any
disciplinary action. You can also search online for their sales history and other
details on websites such as Zillow.