Investing in a real estate property is a big decision, and you pretty much know it. It involves putting in fortunes of money. You need to ensure everything falls in place as a single slip-up can cost you tons of your hard-earned money. And so, working with a knowledgeable and dependable real estate agent is a must.
Having a real estate agent by your side is an excellent idea as they understand the property market’s fine points. A competent agent can make the entire investment process smooth sailing.
But with so many real estate agents in the industry, and each one claiming to provide the best services, you are bound to feel jumbled. Below are some proven tips for picking the best real estate agent. Let’s begin.
- Conduct a thorough research
Information is power. The more information you can collect about an agent, the easier would be the decision-making process. But unfortunately, most people solely rely on the information gathered by other people and seldom conduct their research. However, that is not the right way to go.
Conducting your research online will save you from falling prey to scammers. It will help you understand the precise role of a real estate agent and what you should expect when you hire one. You will also know about the credentials and must-have skills of a good agent you can look for. This will help you streamline the search process and get in touch with a truly competent professional.
- Interview real estate agents
After researching a couple of agents, shortlist at least three of them. Look them up on websites like Yelp.com and collect their contact details. You can also take telephonic interviews to know about their qualifications, experience in the field, etc. You can prepare a list of all the essential questions you want to ask before hitting them up. If you feel that the agent is not sincere or is not giving straight answers, it is best to move on to the next one. Only the agent who clearly and precisely responds to your queries must be selected.
Moving on, some important questions that you can ask to get a fair idea about the agent and his work are as follows:
- How many properties or houses have you sold in the past six months?
- In which neighborhoods do you primarily work?
- Ask the names and contact details of their past clients.
- How many escrow accounts are you currently in?
- Also, ask if they’ll be working with you directly or you’ll be handed off to someone else.
- Gauge the agent’s understanding of the local market
The best way to avail of high-quality service is by searching for a real estate agent who has a thorough knowledge of the local markets. For instance, if you are looking to buy a house in a district in Qatar, you must search for an agent who is well-aware of the ins and outs of real estate Qatar. Such a professional will know what is up in the local market and be better positioned to give you appropriate suggestions.
You can gauge the agent’s understanding of the local market by asking him specific questions. If he responds to them suitably, you can consider hiring him for the task.
- Check the license.
This is an essential factor that most people overlook. For a smooth and hassle-free experience, you need an agent who has a current license. Also, ensure to check its validity and authenticity. Also, ensure the agent doesn’t have any penalizing actions to his credit.
Sadly, many real estate agents provide fake licenses to customers to gain their trust. So double-check the legitimacy and choose a professional who enjoys a solid reputation with the board of realtors.
- Talk to the previous or existing clients of the agent.
This is an effective way to understand the working of your chosen real estate agent. You can get in touch with their existing or past clients to get an idea of what to expect when hiring that particular agent. You can learn about the quality of service they received and if they were satisfied with the outcome.
If the past clients were happy with the agent’s performance, you should consider hiring him. But if the past clients give negative feedback, you should move to your next shortlisted agent.
Bottom Line
Picking a real estate professional is a crucial decision in the home buying or selling process. There are so many expert agents out there willing to work with you, so consider the tips mentioned above as you make the selection.
