Selecting an Agent

Do You Have a Personal Realtor®?

If you’re planning on buying a home, you may have already done some shopping around on your own.  Perhaps you’ve checked out a few open houses or called the number on a For Sale sign to schedule a private viewing of that property.

Yes, you can do all of that on your own, if you have the time and expertise.  However, statistics prove that you’ll be more successful in finding your dream home at the right price with your own personal Realtor®.

Your Realtor® Works for You

Realtor®, especially one who knows the local market well (like I do), can help you find and buy your ideal home, quickly, and make the entire process go smoothly for you.  During a viewing, your Realtor® will give you the inside scoop on that property, so you know the full story.  Your Realtor® will also point out desirable features, and potential “issues”, that you might otherwise miss.

When it comes time to make an offer, your Realtor® will present and negotiate it on your behalf.  If you don’t have your own Realtor®, you would have to deal directly with the seller’s agent, who is legally obliged to work in the seller’s best interests – not yours.

Bottom line: Your own personal Realtor® is there for you, every step of the way.  At least, that’s how we work with our clients.

What to Look for in a Realtor®

When buying a home, you want a Realtor®

who…

  • Is a full-time Realtor® who has experience with similar transactions
  • Knows the area.  A good local Realtor® will know the other agents and have relationships that will serve to help you. Their local experience will make the difference between a quick sale or your deal falling apart and dragging on for months.  How local is local? In most towns and communities, agents cover a few school districts. If they come from too far away, they may not be your best choice.
  • Regularly attends classes, holds designations and continues to gain knowledge in her field of expertise.
  • Is a Realtor®.  There is a difference between a Realtor® and a real estate agent.  Real estate agents have simply passed the state exam while Realtor® are members of the National Association of and are bound by the code of ethics and required to maintain continuing education.
  • Takes the time to understand your needs and goals, so you have a true partner in your home buying journey.
  • Is a personality match.  You want an agent who is honest, trustworthy, ethical and easy to be around. Sometimes the agent who’s sold the most may not be the best agent for you.  You will spend a considerable amount of time working alongside this person for up to six months, or even a year.  You must trust them and feel that they can be trusted externally.  This agent will represent you and your interests to the public, and you must have complete faith that they will serve you effectively.  Finally, you’ll have to like this person and find them to be easy to be around. If it’s not a personality match, no matter how successful they are, look for someone else.
  • Explains everything clearly and answers your questions, so you’re never in the dark.
  • Will provide a list of references as well as a list of recently sold properties.
  • Has expertise and a track record of success in the local market.
  • Knows how to find great properties in your price range.
  • Will alert you to new listings, quickly, so you get the jump on those opportunities.
  • Will advise you on the best price to offer for the home you want.
  • Will prepare and present the offer, and skillfully negotiate such things as price, conditions, closing dates, etc. so you get the best deal.
  • Will save you potentially thousands of dollars by ensuring you don’t overpay for the property you want.
  • Will recommend reputable home inspectors, movers and other professionals you may need.

Not every Realtor® offers all of these services.  Our clients say that we do.  They also tell us how much they appreciate our professionalism, expertise and accessibility.

Next Steps…

The best way to select the right Realtor®, is to meet with him or her in person.  Ask questions.  See if there is a good fit.

To schedule an appointment with us, please call or email.  If it’s more convenient for you, submit the form below and we’ll get back to you.


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