Selecting a real estate agent can be difficult. After all, there are so many realtors out there competing for our business. However, the right real estate agent can make all the difference when it comes to buying or selling a home. Here are a few questions that you should ask your potential realtor before signing a contract.
First of all, ask about experience and qualifications. Certainly a realtor who has been working for 25 years might not be any better than a realtor with just a few years of experience, but it gives you some idea about their level of experience. Your realtor also might hold special designations such as GRI or ePro or CRS, and all of these initials mean that your realtor has attained a higher level of training beyond the basic amount needed to become a licensed real estate agent. There are many other special designations, and your realtor probably will be happy to share what he or she has earned beyond the basic requirements.
While experience counts, results are what really matters, so make sure your realtor has a solid track record. Ask your real estate agent to tell you how many homes he or she has listed and also sold in the last six or eight months. It's also wise to ask about the final sales prices, especially if your realtor seems to have closed a large amount of deals in the last few months. While it might be a sign of a fantastic realtor, it also might mean that your agent tends to put in lowball prices in order to ensure fast sales. Be sure that your realtor also has a good amount of experience in selling homes in your area and in your price range.
Realtors understand that selling a home is nerve-wracking, and your agent will do their best to make it all go as smoothly as possible. Ask about the overall plan to sell your home. This includes setting a reasonable listing price based on the other homes on the market or recently sold in your area and in your price range. This also includes cleaning up your home, eliminating clutter, making a few cosmetic changes and staging it up to appeal to buyers. Open houses also are usually part of the plan, but a good realtor won't depend on a myriad of open house dates to sell a house.
If you are buying a home but not selling a home, the process generally is much easier. You do need to make your requirements and budget clear to your realtor, and it is also wise to come in pre-qualified for a certain loan amount. Create a checklist of items that are must-haves as well as things that you'd like to see in your new home. Also add in a few items that are deal-breakers. The more your agent understands your needs and wants, the more smoothly the process will flow. However, you rarely find a house that meets every item on your checklist, so it helps to be somewhat flexible.
For those interested in Dublin real estate, Pleasanton real estate, Livermore real estate, San Ramon real estate or homes throughout Contra Costa County and Alameda County, contact the staff at 1stInSite.com. They can make it easy to find the home you need or help you quickly sell your existing property. Their team of experts also can help find opportunities for property and land investments.
First of all, ask about experience and qualifications. Certainly a realtor who has been working for 25 years might not be any better than a realtor with just a few years of experience, but it gives you some idea about their level of experience. Your realtor also might hold special designations such as GRI or ePro or CRS, and all of these initials mean that your realtor has attained a higher level of training beyond the basic amount needed to become a licensed real estate agent. There are many other special designations, and your realtor probably will be happy to share what he or she has earned beyond the basic requirements.
While experience counts, results are what really matters, so make sure your realtor has a solid track record. Ask your real estate agent to tell you how many homes he or she has listed and also sold in the last six or eight months. It's also wise to ask about the final sales prices, especially if your realtor seems to have closed a large amount of deals in the last few months. While it might be a sign of a fantastic realtor, it also might mean that your agent tends to put in lowball prices in order to ensure fast sales. Be sure that your realtor also has a good amount of experience in selling homes in your area and in your price range.
Realtors understand that selling a home is nerve-wracking, and your agent will do their best to make it all go as smoothly as possible. Ask about the overall plan to sell your home. This includes setting a reasonable listing price based on the other homes on the market or recently sold in your area and in your price range. This also includes cleaning up your home, eliminating clutter, making a few cosmetic changes and staging it up to appeal to buyers. Open houses also are usually part of the plan, but a good realtor won't depend on a myriad of open house dates to sell a house.
If you are buying a home but not selling a home, the process generally is much easier. You do need to make your requirements and budget clear to your realtor, and it is also wise to come in pre-qualified for a certain loan amount. Create a checklist of items that are must-haves as well as things that you'd like to see in your new home. Also add in a few items that are deal-breakers. The more your agent understands your needs and wants, the more smoothly the process will flow. However, you rarely find a house that meets every item on your checklist, so it helps to be somewhat flexible.
For those interested in Dublin real estate, Pleasanton real estate, Livermore real estate, San Ramon real estate or homes throughout Contra Costa County and Alameda County, contact the staff at 1stInSite.com. They can make it easy to find the home you need or help you quickly sell your existing property. Their team of experts also can help find opportunities for property and land investments.
About the Author:
Madeleine Glazier loves blogging about the real estate industry. If you are searching for licensed real estate Pleasanton CA agents, or to discover San Ramon CA real estate agents, please check out the 1stInsite.com site now.
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