Selling or buying a home can be a thrilling experience, or it can be incredibly frustrating and stressful. The difference is often heavily impacted by the caliber of your Realtor® and how hard they will work for you. But with all of the real estate agents out there, how can you select an outstanding Realtor® over one who is just average?
The first step is to look for a company with a trusted name, one that is established and respected, and a company that is involved in the community. These companies tend to put a lot of merit in their reputation, and generally only hire people that will represent the company well. Consider if they have the resources and support personnel to properly market your home. Hiring a company with extensive marketing resources and strong networking connections will increase your odds selling quickly for the best possible price or finding that perfect home.
When considering agents, you can ask whether real estate is their full-time job, how much experience they have, if they have completed advanced education (often shown as designations behind their name such as CRS, GRI or CBR), and what they will do to represent your best interests. Although years of experience can be an indicator of ability, more important is effort, enthusiasm, and networking ability. Try asking potential agents what has been happening in the real estate market to see how knowledgable and current they are on local market conditions.
It is always critical in real estate to use someone intimately familiar with the town where you plan to buy or sell. By asking how many homes they have sold in your target area it is easy to confirm if they regularly work in the area. It is also a good idea to find someone knowledgeable of the type of property you will be dealing with, such as an acreage, condo or fixer-upper. For example, to find an agent for purchasing or selling a rental property, it would make sense to select an agent who owns rental properties themself. Asking friends or neighbors to recommend an agent they had a good experience with is one way to start. Or, you can ask potential agents for referrals from past clients, or call a reputable company and ask to speak to the Relocation Department to reach a staff member who can personally recommend an agent for you based on your needs.
Finding an agent who can help you successfully buy or sell your home with the least hassle possible is worth the effort. Do your homework, and don’t settle until you find the right agent for you!
About Hunziker & Associates, REALTORS
Post by Lyndsey Van Soelen, Communications Intern
Tags: Buying a home, choosing a real estate agent, how to choose a realtor, Iowa
Hunziker & Associates, REALTORS Blog Feed