Tip for Choosing Your Realtor® - Smart Real Estate for Smart People
Choosing an experienced real estate agent to represent your specific interests and needs during the purchase or sale of your Virginia home can be one of the most important financial decisions that you could ever make. Yes, a critical financial decision indeed!
It all comes down to dollars and cents and finding a good Realtor® makes a lot of sense. There are obvious considerations, such as choosing a reputable VA real estate agent with experience in the area, whether in Northern VA, the Virginia Beach, Hampton Roads area or Richmond, Central VA, where you want to buy or sell.
Take account these important factors when interviewing your real estate representative and home buying or sales specialist.
Perhaps the most glaring problem reported about real estate agents in Virginia or any state is is that they don't communicate. Prior to signing an exclusive agent arrangement, find out in advance how they plan to provide updates, in what manner and how often. Most importantly, let them know what you expect from top to bottom so you can determine just how well personalities fit and the working relationship will develop.
Have a frank conversation there-by understanding the agent's expertise while explaining your level of overall knowledge. Discuss your schedule and availability, what type of communication medium fits best for you, email, phone, text messaging... once you find a buyers broker/agent, most likely you are locked in. Take the time to ask all the pertinent questions in advance, and if they aren't meeting your needs, don't hesitate to let them know.
Here are a few items that we've found most important to keep in mind as you search for a Realtor® or real estate agent in Northern VA, Central VA or Virginia Beach:
- Make sure the Realtor® you choose has the most available data regarding market and local home buying conditions.
- Takes time to understand your preferences and your family's needs as far as home size, amenities, specialties, area and square footage.
- Offers to help you with local government reports, tax information, cost of living, utilities, public transportation, recreation, schools and shopping centers.
- Provides information about all available homes for sale in the area.
- Helps you determine what properties are suited to your particular interest.
- Does the real estate agent, broker or sales specialist talk to you about the overall process, the principles of real estate and the step-by-step procedure?
- Goes beyond the everyday responsibilities and provides a listening ear when you need to verbalize your thought process and upcoming decisions.
- Works as intermediary between you and the seller's agent.
- Always available and ready to respond to your requests.
- Gives a non-biased perspective on financing and mortgage options.
- Provides perspective when it comes to home affordability.
- Offers an objective opinion together with other options and considerations.
- Willing to touch base throughout the real estate transaction process.
|
