How To Find a Real Estate Agent
At Cornerstone Realty Consultants, we know how hard it can be to find everything you are looking for from your real estate agent. We want you to know that we work hard to be the exact type of agent you are looking for on a daily basis. We strive to answer all of your questions, keep you in the loop, and get the best price possible for your property. When considering how to find a real estate agent to sell your property, or find your next property, keep the following in mind.
1 — Ask your potential agent about the marketing plan to sell your house. We know that you want much more than just sticking a sign in front of your property and hoping for the best. You want a real estate agent who has a strategy for making sure your property is sold in the time frame you are expecting. Will they advertise? Will a direct mail campaign be appropriate for my property? Do you use the web and social media as part of marketing strategy? We will have a clear vision and marketing strategy in place to sell your property.
2 — Ask your potential real estate agent about the strategy used to find your next property. We know that you want an informed real estate agent who has a clear plan for locating your next property. Has the agent asked enough questions to get a clear idea of what you are looking for? How many homes have they arranged for you to see and what is the strategy when in a situation where there are multiple offers on the property you want? At Cornerstone Realty Consultants, we will have a clear vision in place of your new property and will do everything possible to make sure we find exactly what you are looking for.
3 — Ask your potential real estate agent to review any forms before signing them. You never want to sign something without having read it yourself, and without the agent taking time to explain the form to you. When you are buying a property, ask to review your buyer’s agency disclosure and make sure you approve of the specifics, such as exclusivity or non-exclusivity, purchase agreements, disclosures, etc. When you are selling a property, again you should review the specifics of any forms you are being asked to sign so you can approve of any agency disclosures or seller disclosures.
4 — Use your own instincts. You want a real estate agent you can trust and who will take time to establish a relationship with his or her clients. You want a agent who is honest, friendly, and an excellent negotiator. You want someone who will recommend other professionals to you, whether it be lawyers, title companies or home inspectors, etc.
5 — Ask for references. There is nothing wrong with asking a potential real estate agent for references. If they are a good, experienced agent, they will be able to provide you with references and other relevant facts and figures, such as their list-price-to-sales-price ratio.
These are some helpful hints for how to find a real estate agent. Trust your own judgment. If a agent seems distracted and panicked during an initial meeting, then this probably isn’t a good sign. Choose a friendly agent who can be assertive when necessary. At Cornerstone Realty Consultants, our agents work hard to make sure they meet all of your requirements.