How to Hire the Right Real Estate Agent

If you're reading this blog, I imagine you have experienced some of the horrors of dealing with real estate agents. The vast array of financial professionals and their backgrounds, their expertise, their knowledge, everything can vary from such an extreme. And I think part of that is the entry aspects into our business. So you do have to spend time studying real estate, real estate law, transaction information, and codes of conduct, and ethics, and so on and so forth. And then you take a test, and you pass that test, and guess what, you're a licensed realtor. So I do feel that it's very important that you take the responsibility of hiring the right agent very seriously. And we see a lot of different things happen out there in the marketplace. One of the things that we hear often are horror stories about the realtor or the professionals involved in the transactions. Not always the real estate agent, sometimes it's the loan officer. There's different parties, the title company. But you do hear horror stories out there. And I was hearing of one recently that was triggered because the individual used Zillow to identify both her real estate agent and her loan officer, lender. And she had a bad experience with both. And it made me think, this is something that I should talk about to the general public and give some tips on how to hire the right agent. So we're going to talk about this based upon, largely upon, when you're looking to buy a home. I think that that's the most underserved segments of the population as far as identifying the right agent. I will give some tips that we'll parlay into if you're looking for a listing agent as well. But these are just things to think about and to consider.

How People Generally Find Their Agent

There are a few different factors when it comes to finding a real estate agent.

• Internet: Many people land on Zillow and are assigned an agent by the platform.
• Sign calls: Some people call the agent listed on a property sign.
• Referrals: People ask for recommendations from friends, family or their social network.

Zillow

Zillow may assign you a random agent, which can be risky. Buying a home is too important to leave it to chance. It's better to do your own research and select an agent yourself.

Calling the Listing Agent

While many believe calling the listing agent will give them an advantage, this is not always the case. Real estate agents often work in teams, and the buyer's agent on the listing agent's team handles negotiations. It's important to have representation and a loyal person working on your behalf.

Referrals

Getting a referral from someone you know is a solid recommendation. However, if you're seeking recommendations online, it's best to ask specific questions related to the agent's expertise or experience to get more useful responses.

Conclusion

Hiring the right real estate agent is crucial when buying or selling a house. Avoid relying solely on Zillow or calling the listing agent. Seek referrals and ask specific questions to find the best agent for your needs.

If you'd like more tips on hiring the best real estate agent or want to discuss your real estate needs, feel free to contact our team at 352-794-1426.