“Good” is a subjective term. What is good for one person may not be good for another.
That is why when you are looking for a real estate agent to help you sell or buy a home or other piece of property you mustn’t let your emotions get in the way.
Know How Far You Are Moving
Are you moving across town, across the state, or across the country? Knowing how far you are moving will help you find a real estate agent that will work for you and your needs. An agent who specializes in relocation will have access to agents and resources across the country get you the information and people you need to make your move easier.
Get Referrals & Reviews
Always get referrals and check reviews when searching for a real estate agent. Zillow has a Find an Agent resource where you can begin your search for agents in your area. From there, you can read reviews, and contact the agent and ask them to put you in touch with past clients. Speaking with past clients is a good way to get an idea of what the agent is like.
Always remember: reviews can be emotionally charged, so take reviews with a grain of salt.
Check Their Experience
Experience pays.
Choose a real estate agent that has experience in the field, as well as in their specialties like:
- CRS (Certified Residential Specialist), specializing in residential real estate
- ABR (Accredited Buyer’s Representative), specializing in representing home buyers during transactions
- SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist), specializing in helping senior home buyers and sellers
Go To Open Houses
Is there an open house in your area? Go to it! Open houses are amazing opportunities to meet with local realtors and see them in action. How are they interacting with visitors? Are they answering questions and personable?
If you believe you would like to work with this agent, an open house is also a good opportunity to set up an appointment.
Set Communication Preferences
The lack of communication between you and your agent will hamstring your home buying or selling journey. The right agent for you will be willing to work with your communication preferences so that they can easily keep in touch.
Make Sure Their License Is Up-To-Date
You can check licenses at your state’s department of professional regulation or commerce. Missouri and Illinois has easy-to-use databases were you can search by profession and county. Illinois even allows you to search agents in other states! You will also be able to see if the agent has faced any disciplinary action.
Take advantage of resources like this to help you choose the best agent for you.