Tips for Interviewing a Realtor
Posted on: May 6, 2012
The spring market is upon us, mortgage rates have reached a record low, and the real estate industry is improving in many parts of the country. For many aspiring homeowners, this confluence of events means that now is the time to buy! If you’re a first time buyer, a move up buyer or if you are looking to hire a new realtor, here are just a few tips that can help you make sure you find the right person for your team:
Find Out Your Realtor’s Areas of Expertise
This applies both to locale and to types of real estate and home sales that your realtor handles. You want to find a realtor who really knows the region you’re considering, and can make useful recommendations on location. But you also want a realtor familiar with the home type you’re considering, or the type of sale you want to pursue, such as short sale, foreclosure or standard sale.
How Experienced is Your Realtor?
Find out how long your realtor has been an agent. More experienced realtors can be extremely valuable, but may not have as much time to devote to you. Newer realtors may not have all the answers, but may be able to spend more one-on-one time working with you on your home sale. Decide which is most important to you.
What’s Your Strategy for My Needs?
Ask a realtor about their strategy to meet your needs. You want to know things like how a realtor intends to search for your home, how many homes you’re likely to visit before selecting one, and what assistance the agent provides when making an offer. Make sure the agent has the right strategy for your needs.
What’s Your List-Price to Sale-Price Ratio?
You want the best deal, so you want to find a realtor who has a track record of negotiating a sale price that is lower than the list price. The better this ratio, the better the deal you’re likely to get.
These are just some of the questions to ask as you begin your search. You want the best person for the job on your team and answers to these questions will hopefully lead you to a knowledgeable, local real estate professional you can trust to help you find the home you are looking for.
