Top 7 Tips for Finding the Right Realtor

When people in the United States buy homes, many of them go with a real estate agent. Approximately 87% of homebuyers bought their homes with a realtor or broker and about 88% of these people say that they would recommend that person to a friend or relative, according to a 2015 Annual National Association of Realtors survey. When asked, about 78% say that they thought that person was a great source of information. There are things people can do to find the right realtor.

1. Talk to the people you know. You know people who have bought a home. Given the number of people who have gone with a realtor, the chances are good that your friends, family or neighbors who bought a home recently used a realtor. Ask all of them who they used, what they thought about the experience and how they found the person. Ask if they would recommend you use the same person they did.
2. Look online. Many cities and localities have Facebook groups and pages set up to promote local businesses. Check there for realtors. If you do not see a recommendation for a realtor already, ask! People love to be experts and helpful. You can also check Angie’s List and Yelp. Be wary if you see a lot of negative reviews that have no name attached. People are psychologically more likely to complain than compliment, especially if they can do it anonymously.
3. Make your budget. Before talking to any real estate agent about looking at new houses, you need to know how much you can really spend so before you start searching for a realtor, you should make up a budget. Be firm in sticking to that budget. You do not want to deal with a real estate professional who only sells homes that are too expensive for you to buy. You can waste a lot of valuable time in this process if you skip this step.
4. Make sure the person is a realtor. Some people think that a broker is the same thing but that is just not true. Real estate professionals who are members of the National Association of Realtors. They have to adhere to a code of ethics that is very strict. This can make a big difference when you go about buying a new house. At the very least, you will have more peace of mind if you go with a professional real estate agent.
5. Ask how long they have been in business. It is always a good idea to see how many years the realtor has been in business. A new real estate professional may be great but you know you are going to have a better experience when the person has a lot of experience. They will be better able to find you houses that are both in your price range and what you are looking for in terms of amenities and location.
6. Talk to realtors in your area. You want to go to a professional who is intimately acquainted with the area where you want to buy. They will know what each area is like and what is available. It is essential that they have a lot of experience dealing with real estate in your city or town. They cal give you important information about the schools, the general community and other facts that can help you decide what house to buy. You do not want to find you bought a house next to a crack den.
7. Do not go with the first realtor you meet. As tempting as it is to just hire and go with the first real estate professional you meet with, that is a mistake. You should make it a point to interview at least a few so that you know what is around and what your options are. This is an important part of the process of hiring a realtor and buying a home. Even if you are in a hurry to get that new space, you will have a much better experience when you know you have the right person.

Buying a new home can be a scary and stressful experience but it can go much smoother with the help of a realtor.