When you are buying or selling a home, it’s essential that you find a real estate agent who is an expert in your area. They can provide advice, support and a network of resources that can help you get to the closing table. And if you’re a first-time buyer, they can help walk you through the process and guide you every step of the way.

How to Pick a Real Estate Agent

The best way to choose the right real estate agent is to ask around. Get recommendations from friends and family, and also look for online reviews that can give you an idea of how a particular agent works.

Make sure to ask about their experience and what type of homes they typically sell. This will help you find out if they are a good fit for you and your needs.

A good agent will be able to answer your questions and show you how to use resources such as a home value estimator, mortgage calculators and more. They can also help you determine what price you should list your home at, if you are planning to sell it.

Be wary of agents who try to pressure you into signing an exclusive contract with them. This is a common red flag in NYC, where buyers’ agents have to compete for their clients’ business, says Andrew Kopka, a licensed New York City real estate agent and owner of the brokerage Remax.

If your agent is trying to push you into signing an exclusive agreement, it’s a sign that they are not being professional and are attempting to take advantage of you. Learn more https://www.propertyleads.com/motivated-seller-leads/motivated-seller-leads-north-carolina/

You may not be able to weed out these types of agents during a background check, but you can still do some research on your own. Start by looking up the name of each potential listing agent in your neighborhood and checking their licensing status on your state’s website. Next, visit their website to read their bio and see if they have sold similar properties to yours in the past three to six months.

Once you’ve narrowed down your shortlist, it’s time to interview each candidate. This will give you a chance to see how well they communicate with their clients, if they are patient and willing to work with you through the process, and if they have the skills, knowledge and experience to help you.

One of the most important things you can do during an interview is to ask about their previous clients’ experiences. This is especially crucial for first-time homebuyers, since you will want to know if they were satisfied with their service.

They will likely have several references from previous clients, which can help you decide if they are a good fit for your situation. They will be able to tell you about the agent’s customer service and if they felt comfortable with them throughout the process, according to David Davis, a real estate attorney in San Francisco.