When it comes to shopping for a home, especially if you are buying for the first time, having an agent on your side is extremely helpful. But if you have never bought a house before, you may have no idea where to begin finding a REALTOR® that you can really trust to help you with this important decision.
If you open the phone book you will see a long list of names, and very little help to figure out which one to call. There are a few ways you can narrow down the field of real estate agents to find someone you can trust.
Ask Your Friends And Family
To find a real estate agent you can trust, start with the people you trust-your family and friends. Of course, the best people to ask are those who have bought a home recently, as the experience they had will still be fresh in their memory. Ask them how happy they were with the service they received, and if they would recommend you hire the same agent.
Ask Others In The Field
Another source of good referrals is through some of the people you may know who work in related fields, such as mortgage brokers and insurance agents. They often know many different agents and work with them regularly. Ask them to provide you with a few names of the people they would trust most with their own home-buying process.
Meet With The Possible Agents
When you have created a short list of possible agents to hire, call a few of them and make an appointment. Sit down and discuss your home buying plans with them. Ask them about what sort of services they provide as well as things like their commission structure. Treat this interview the same way you would in hiring any other professional to handle important business for you. A good REALTOR® will be happy to answer your questions openly and honestly.
Take the time to meet with several agents before you decide who you would like to represent your interests. That way you can compare the different experiences and see who you feel most comfortable with. The agent’s experiences in real estate, their dedication to their clients and, of course, the rapport you develop with them are all important considerations. Remember, you are looking for someone you can really trust.
Your REALTOR® is your home-buying partner and needs to be someone who is there for you and knows all the ins and outs of home buying. Take your time and choose the right person for the job.