Do you know how to choose the right real estate agent for your needs?
When you’re shopping for a new home, you want the best for your family. The same should be true when you’re picking a real estate agent! Agents advertise themselves in many different ways, but how can you tell which one is going to be the best for you? Luckily, there are a few ways you can size up an agent’s potential before hiring them – here are 6.
1. Contact their Recent Clients
A potential real estate agent should be able to provide a list of what they have listed and sold in the past year, along with contact information of the clients. Figure out the list price, final selling price, and whether the client was pleased or disappointed with the agent’s work.
2. Licensing
Agents are licensed by state boards that also serve as disciplinary bodies. Check with your state’s licensing board to confirm that they are licensed and whether or not the real estate agent has been subject to any disciplinary actions or complaints.
3. Look at Awards and Recognitions
Peer-given awards are a great sign. The “Realtor of the Year” award, given by the local or state branch of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), really means something and is a huge endorsement.
4. Proper Credentials
Just as a doctor has a specialty area of practice, so too do realtors and properties. Check out the acronyms after a real estate agent’s name – it will clue you into the kinds of additional training they have gone through. CRS stands for Certified Residential Specialist, which means they specialize in handling residential real estate. If the agent refers to themselves as a Realtor (capital R) that means they are a member of NAR and are bound by a code of ethics.
5. Experience
How long has the real estate agent been in the business? The state licensing board can give you that information, or you can ask the agent directly. Experience selling in your home area and a detailed knowledge of the local market counts for a lot, too.
6. Check Out Current Listings
Looking at what an agent has on the market now can give you a rough estimate of what to expect with your own property. Check to see if the properties are similar to yours in location and price range. And since most buyers start searching for properties on the internet, make sure you choose an agent that can use it effectively.
Buying Your Home with Clagett Enterprises
Clagett Enterprises is a full-service real estate company with almost 30 years of experience in the Frederick and Western Maryland area. For assistance selling your home and getting the best possible price, contact us online or give us a call at 301-665-6009. To meet our team and see some of our beautiful homes, follow us on Facebook,Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+.