Buying or selling a house can be fraught with pitfalls. According to one survey, getting involved in the property market is only slightly less stressful than divorce.
One way to take the edge off the whole process is to get help. Here’s how to hire a realtor that will make things better, not worse.
Pros Tips on How to Hire a Realtor
Finding a real estate agent is easy. You’ll find advertisements on every corner, online and in the newspaper. The trick is finding one you can trust that will get the job done.
1. Ask Around
Ask friends, family, and colleagues if they have any advice on how to find a good real estate agent in your area. They may know of one or be able to refer you to someone who does.
You can ask some of the realtors in your area to provide you with a list of clients they have helped in recent times. Get in touch with these clients and ask them about the experience.
It’s important to find out from them if they were happy with the price they ended up getting for their house.
Interviewing a realtor in person can also give you an idea of how they do business. As long as you know which questions to ask.
2. Do a Background Check
Every state has a licensing board which performs a watchdog function regarding the real estate industry. Always check if a realtor is registered with your state licensing body before doing business with them.
You can also check if they have been subject to any disciplinary action with these licensing authorities. Real estate agents registered with the National Association of Realtors are sworn to uphold a strict ethical code.
3. Experience and Specializations Count
You’ll be able to find out how long an agent has been in business from these organizations. The longer the better.
If you have particular needs, you should search for a realtor qualified to deal with them.
A Certified Residential Specialist is an expert in handling residential properties. Buyers and sellers over the age of 50 should look for a Seniors Real Estate Specialist.
4. Check Their Website
An agent who is active in your price range and area is a good choice. Looking at an agent’s website is one of the easiest ways to find out about this.
Most people look online for properties. Check that the realtor’s website is user-friendly. Does it have appealing images and information about the properties for sale?
5. Urgent Sales
If you need to sell your house fast, going through the process of finding a real estate agent may not be an option.
In this case, you should consider accepting an offer from a company that buys houses for cash. These deals are usually finalized very quickly, read more here.
What’s Next?
Now that you know how to hire a realtor and get your house sold fast, you may be interested in investing your profits or buying a new home.
Please search our blog first for the best information on things you need to do and companies that can help you to get it right.