Selling or buying a home in the Lower Mainland is an exciting process, especially for beginners in the market. But, along with the thrill and adventure that comes with the hunt, it can also be a huge investment and a long, stressful process. Even so, you can enhance and make the entire process easier with the help of an experienced real estate agent who is knowledgeable in the ins and out of the industry.
There are many agents and brokerages to choose from in the Clayton Area alone. It is important that you work with the best agent in your location to ensure that you buy a property at the best price or your property sells at the top dollar. Finding the perfect fit for your needs and preferences can be more challenging than you might expect.
Here are some tips on what to look for in a real estate agent:
- Obtain referrals from other homeowners
Despite the advances in technology, finding a real estate agent is still a human-to-human encounter. Referrals from people you know are still the best. Ask family and friends whom they can recommend for your local area. Ideally, you would want to work with someone who has similar experiences to yours. The needs and requirements of first-time buyers or sellers may be totally different from those homeowners looking to upgrade or downsize.
Look for a competent real estate agent who is credible, or as they say, a Realtor with a capital R. It equates to their training, memberships, and certifications. They must be a member of the National Association of Realtors and have diligently followed the organization’s code of conduct and ethics. There are some realtors who may have also completed training and acquired certifications in certain areas of the real estate industry.
- Find an agent you can trust and truly depend on
As the client, it is only normal that you begin the dialogue. Pay close attention to the realtors body movement, how they listen to you, how they respond to your queries or ask you questions to better understand your needs. Do you feel comfortable with them and do they know your local area?
Most successful realtors have access to the technology that can help you find options for a purchase or to make your property widely visible in your city. Anyone can do that, but it takes a human heart to understand and work with you to help achieve your goals. Take the time to find someone you can closely connect with, who respects and trusts you. Understand if your realtor works on a team or as a solo agent.
- Find a realtor who can mitigate risks
Some realtors will sugarcoat or sweet talk you into choosing them. Find someone who is honest enough to explain to you the risks involved in buying or selling a property. Avoid fluffy and flattery agents. You want to work with someone who is practical and realistic and can proactively mitigate risks or protect you from any litigation processes.
When interviewing potential agents, pay close attention to those who provide real data or facts when answering questions related to neighborhood-level market performance, the long-term impact of your decision to buy or sell, or investment analysis.
Hiring realtors can be tricky, but knowing what you want makes the difference. Do your research, ask around, and choose from various potential realtors in the Clayton, Surrey, or Langley City area.
If you need help selling your home in the Lower Mainland, get in touch with our top realtors today to see how we can help.