If you are considering buying or selling a home, hiring a reliable real estate agent should be one of the first things on your "to do" list. You can choose to go on your own without an agent, but your resources and exposure will be limited.   

When choosing a realtor, your decision should be based on the agent's integrity, reliability, and trustworthiness. You need to find an agent that has your best interest in mind. A good real estate agent is professional at all times and is knowledgeable about factors that are significant to your personal situation.

Finding a good real estate agent can be difficult. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has shared several guidelines to follow when hiring a real estate agent. NAR recommends asking these necessary questions before determining whether or not to hire a realtor:

  • How long have you been into sales of residential properties? Ask if your agent's job is full time or part time. The best reason for asking this question is that real estate knowledge and skills are mostly learned while practicing the job. However, experience may still not be a total guarantee of the agent's reliability and resourcefulness.
  • What credentials do you hold? The realtor should be duly licensed by the state or any governing body. This would assure you that he has met standards and requirements in education, testing, and training. Real estate pros could hold designations like Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) or Graduate Realtors Institute (GRI).
  • How many properties did you Sell last year? The volume of successful transactions headed by the agent could be an indication of how reliable and trustworthy he is. You may ask several addresses as well as selling prices if you need to verify the information shared.
  • What marketing approach would you use? You should choose a realtor who is aggressive, creative, and innovative when buying or selling properties. Do not forget to ask for references. You can learn a lot more information about the agent from those.

Choose a realtor who is an experienced professional, will listen to you, knows your needs, and knows your market.

If you're in need of professional real estate assistance, whether your looking to Buy or Sell, please give me a call. I'll be happy to help.