Whether you’re planning to sell a home or buy a home for the first time, having the right real estate agent is key to completing a successful transaction. When choosing a real estate agent to help you, here are five important questions to ask.
1. How long have you lived in the area?
As simple as it seems, this is one of the most important questions you can ask. The longer the agent has lived in the area, the more organic knowledge they will have about the various neighborhoods, school systems and local amenities. If you’re planning to buy and you are new to the area yourself, you will be relying almost completely on your agent’s intimate knowledge to help you find the right home. If you are selling, an agent with longevity will understand the nuances of your neighborhood, as well as the market values of homes in your area.
2. How long have you been an agent?
Aside from having local knowledge, you want an agent with a fair amount of experience with real estate sales in general, someone who understands the art of negotiation and knows the market values of the area. Of course, there are good agents with less experience (we all have to start somewhere) but if your agent is a novice, ask if they have a teammate or supervisor who can help if you encounter something that is over the agent’s head.
3. Are you full-time?
Some real estate agents sell homes as a part-time gig to supplement other forms of income. If this is the case, there is a risk that your agent might be distracted by their “other” work when you need something. To ensure you are getting the full level of attention you are paying for, you should consider hiring a full-timer.
4. What associations are you a part of?
Whether you are familiar with professional real estate associations or not, it is a good sign when your agent can mention several professional associations they are a member of. This means your agent is in tune with the latest information regarding the real estate market and is more likely to know how to negotiate for the best price.
5. Can you provide references?
The best references, of course, are word-of-mouth. If your agent is passionate and committed, it will reflect in satisfied clients. Ask for at least three recent references that you can call to ask about their experience with the agent.
At Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, we pride ourselves on working with only highly trained and experienced real estate agents to ensure the best possible experience for our clients. To learn more, call us today at 404.237.5000.