When you buy or sell a home, the process is a lot easier with a realtor.
But it can be difficult to find the right one if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Interviewing several real estate agents will let you know what kind of experience they have and which ones are good fits for you and your needs.
Take a look at the five most important questions to ask a realtor.
1. How Long Have You Been in the Business?
Because there aren’t any degrees you can get to become a real estate agent, they learn how to do their job through experience. In other words, the longer a real estate agent has been working, the more they understand about the business.
But that doesn’t mean you should always stay away from new agents. Real estate agents who’re just starting out tend to have fewer clients, so that means they have more time to focus on you.
If you choose to work with a new agent, make sure they’ve had quality training and good mentors. You can always ask them about their real estate education and their job experience so far.
2. What Kind of Clients Do Your Work With?
Some agents spend most of their time working with buyers. Some spend their time working with sellers. While this experience can be helpful, it can also leave you with a limited perspective of the process.
An agent who works with sellers can’t know what buyers are looking for.
You should also find out how many clients an agent works with at a time. If an agent has a lot of clients at the same time, they might not be able to give you the attention you need. Ask your agent how they’re planning to give you support while working with other people.
3. Can I Read Necessary Documents Early?
You should be able to see any necessary documents before you have to sign them. Many real estate agents will give these to you on their own, but if you’re worried they won’t, don’t be afraid to ask.
If you’re buying a house, make sure you get the broker agreement of the buyer, agency disclosures, buyer disclosures, and purchase agreements. As a seller, you should get the agency disclosure, listing agreement, and seller disclosure.
4. Can You Provide References?
Your agents should have several references available for you. Ask your real estate agent if you can call these references if you come up with any other questions.
And make sure these references are reputable. They shouldn’t all be related to the agent.
Realtor’s should have their own websites, like Royal Hills Property Solutions, and you can find reviews online. Reviews and references will give you a good idea of how the agent works and whether or not they provide quality services.
5. Will You Help Me Find Other Professionals?
When you’re buying or selling a house, you’ll need services from other professionals along the way. Many real estate agents have many references for home inspectors, mortgage brokers, title companies, etc.
Keep an eye out for the word “affiliated.” This may mean these other professionals are paying the agent compensation for referring them to clients. You could end up spending a lot of money on services like this.
Important Questions to Ask a Realtor
Trying to find the right real estate agent can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for. This list of questions to ask a realtor can help you find out how much experience they have and how they tend to work with other clients.
Looking for a good real estate agent to help you? Take a look at some of these options.