How do I find the right Realtor?

Finding the right realtor to work with is a very important step of the process that can be easily overlooked. Below I have included some steps on how to seek out the right realtor for you.

1. Decide on what you’re real estate plans are

During this process you need to analyze what your next steps are. Are you looking to buy, sell, invest, rent, manage, etc? Where are you looking? What are you looking for? Realtors typically specialize in different areas of real estate. Some may focus on buying whereas others may only list properties. You also have agents that only do commercial or residential. So just because someone has a real estate license they may not be the best fit for you.

2. Reach out for referrals

Getting referrals from friends, family, co-workers, or neighbors can be a great place to start. Almost everyone knows someone in real estate whether it be a friend, family member, or past experience. Having a referral can hold more than a mutual relationship. Just because you know someone who knows someone in real estate it may not be the best fit. I do still recommend interviewing them to see if they are the right fit as I am big believer in working with people you know.

3. Interview your realtor

This is often skipped. I think it is very fair to interview your realtor however please be honest with them and let them know you are interviewing agents before you make a decision. You can ask questions about how they handle situations, their experiences, and even testimonials. Often times you can also utilize online sites to look at their past sales and reviews posted. They may have a personal site, use google, or a third party real estate site like Zillow or Redfin. Below is a list of some common questions other sellers or buyers may ask.

• How many homes have you listed/sold in the last 12 months?
• What hours do you work? If I call you at 7pm on a Thursday or 10am on a Sunday will you answer? If not, how long will it take to get a response?
• Why did you get into real estate? (knowing why can be a great insight)
• What do you look for in a client? (know their expectations of you. This is a relationship and works both ways)
• Where do you do most of your business?
• What area of real estate do you specialize in?

4. Make your decision

When making your decision let any other realtor you interviewed know you moved in another direction. Be honest with feedback and any reasoning. If you have no specifics and you just had a gut feeling it is okay to say that as well. Everyone is different and this is a big purchase/process so it is very important to work with someone you trust and feel confident in.

I provide real estate consulting for free. Click here to schedule a consultation. This could be to talk about your concerns, questions, or anything to do with real estate.