When it comes to buying a home or selling a property, choosing the right realtor can make a ton of difference. Realtors help facilitate successful real estate transactions. Whether you’re a home buyer or property seller, this article offers a guide you can follow when choosing the right realtor for your trades:
Realtor Vs. Real Estate Agent
Many people confuse a realtor with a real estate agent. Often, these terms are used interchangeably. Though they share some commonalities, a realtor is different from a real estate agent. The significant difference is that a realtor is a real estate professional that’s part of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and adheres to the organization’s ethics. Meanwhile, the term ‘real estate agent’ describes agents who aren’t members of NAR.
How To Choose The Right Realtor
Due to the significant role that realtors play, it’s essential to pick one when selling or buying a property carefully. The following tips will help you choose the right realtor:
- Clarify Your Goal
The first step before searching for a realtor is knowing what you want. What are your goals? What outcomes are you expecting from the transactions? Clarifying your goals and expectations ahead of time helps you decide the kind of realtor you need. Also, you’ll be able to communicate your desires and expectations clearly to them before you agree—the clearer your objectives, the easier it is to recognize a suitable realtor. You can tell if the services of a realtor are right for you just by comparing them to your needs and goals.
- Compare Different Realtors
The real estate industry is filled with thousands of realtors where many claims to be the best choice. Before settling with one out of the multiple options, you should check out 2 to 3 realtors in your region. Comparison expands your options and perspectives. More so, it helps you recognize the realtor that suits your needs better.
When comparing realtors, look for crucial factors such as their sale activities, sale prices, and sales location. This will tell you much about the level of competence and success over time. From a realtor’s place, you can know if they have local experience or not. This information will enable you to make a better decision.
- Read Reviews From Customers
Before choosing a realtor, check out what their customers say about them. Customer reviews are an excellent way to know how well an existing or new realtor satisfies his clients and considering customer satisfaction is also important.
If you’re looking for realtors online, take note of the reviews that their previous clients left about their services. Numerous bad reviews are red flags since this reveals that they’ve low competence and success rate. Realtors who have multiple positive reviews are worth considering. Although reviews alone aren’t enough to determine the competency of a realtor, they can save you time and effort.
- Ask For Recommendations
The internet and directories are great platforms for finding realtors. However, you can leverage the experiences of people around you while making a choice. You can ask your friends and family members for a recommendation.
The good thing about recommendations is that you can be sure of receiving trustworthy referrals. This is because the people close to you will only recommend a realtor that they trust. Most people will only recommend reliable experts. Asking for recommendations can help you make a good decision.
- Look For Strong Core Values
Look for a good realtor that has strong core values. Core values are essential because you want to work with a realtor that values what you value and plays by the same rules as you. Contrary values will breed conflicting perspectives and opinions.
For example, if you value honesty, then it’ll help you to look for a realtor that values honesty. If you don’t want a series of broken promises, choose a realtor with integrity. Choosing to work with a realtor with opposing values will do more harm than good.
- Consider Fees
Realtors set their own fees and most of them charge a commission fee which is a fee that’s deducted from the sales proceed. So before choosing a realtor, ensure that you discuss the commission rates and as much as possible try to negotiate the rate down. Because the lower the commission you pay. The more money you retain from your property sales.
Conclusion Choosing the right realtor could help you distinguish between a profitable deal and a disastrous one. Many realtors pose as the best. This is why you need clues to find the right ones. Whether buying or selling a property, the tips recommended in this guide will help you choose the right realtor much easier.