How to Choose the Right Realtor or Real Estate Agent (and What’s the Difference?)
There are a lot of things that you can do on your own without the help of professionals. This site is full of them. One thing you should n’t try to do on your own, especially as a beginner, is to buy or sell a house. There’s a lot of money at stake here and a lot of things that you, the average person, don’t know about this process and aren’t authorized to do. Choosing a realtor or real estate agent is a task that you can handle on your own and is perhaps one of the most important parts.
What is the difference between a realtor and a real estate agent?
The real estate agent has a real estate license. A realtor is a real estate agent who is an active member of the National Association of Realtors. That’s the difference. To get into the NAR, a real estate agent must have a valid license and an excellent track record. Once inside, they must adhere to a code of ethics, but in addition to the guarantees that buyers and sellers can give, participation in the organization also has an element of influence. But a non-NAR real estate agent can still be great. In fact, they should be if they ever want to become a realtor.
You should focus on the specialty you would like your agent to have. Listing agents will help you list homes, buying agents will help you find a property, and rental agents will help you find an apartment to rent out. According to Zillow , 85% of sellers say the agent’s ability to find interested buyers was very or extremely valuable to them, while 80% said the agent’s ability to guide them through the sales process was very valuable. Deals in contract negotiations were also liked by 80% of sellers.
Decide what you want
You need to be sure not only about what you want to achieve – whether to buy or sell a house – but also in all the details related to this, although they are subject to change. You should also look for an agent with a list of what you are looking for in a potential partner in this endeavor. Do you prefer phone calls to email? Do you want to meet face to face and go to a few shows, or do you want to be able to rely on this person to choose the ones that are best for you?
Having a clear idea of what you want is important, but you also need to be open to suggestions from the agent. They may see something that is not in your plan. They may find a house that is perfect for you, but not in the area of your choice. They may have experiences that will help them understand why something on your “must do” list is not a good idea for you or your family. You never know, and it doesn’t hurt to listen to them, but having a predetermined list of what you really want is a key starting point.
Compare and contrast agents
There are quite a few agents out there, and if you live in a densely populated area, there will be a ton around you. Call a few and chat. Enter the conversation armed with knowledge. Explain that you want to sell your home or where you hope to buy it, what you will be using the property for, whether you have already been pre-approved for a mortgage, and what you want to earn. or spend.
Talk to as many agents as you can or want. This is the person you will be working closely with for a while, so you need to make sure he understands your needs and limitations, and is also someone you can personally get along with. You must explain who you are and what you are looking for, but also evaluate who they are and what they have achieved. Ask how long they’ve been in real estate, who they usually work with, buyers or sellers, and if they’ve worked with someone like you before. Hell, ask them for recommendations.
“You want to choose someone who will work for you and fit your needs, rather than trying to sell you something because they get a commission,” warned Danny Gonzalez, a real estate investor at Danny Builds Homes, LLC. “You also want to go with an agency that has been around for a while and is trustworthy.”
You can also look at reviews online. Zillow has a tool to find agents, or you can use another one like RateMyAgent . Check reviews on sites like Google and Yelp.
Ask your friends and family members to also recommend you. An honest review from someone you know is always very helpful. And when you’re done buying or selling a home, don’t forget to refer your agent to your contacts if they’ve done a good job.