Your real estate agent is your guide through the entire home-buying or -selling
process. They’re there to help you get connected to the area you want to live in, find
homes with access to your preferred public transportation or schools, and help you
negotiate a fair price for a home. The right real estate agent can make or break your
experience. They need to be knowledgeable, accessible and empathetic.
It’s important to ask a prospective agent questions about their experience before
hiring them, especially if you are a first-time buyer or seller. You’ll want to know
what kind of experience they have, and how long they’ve been licensed (you can do
a simple search on Zillow for their license status). You should also ask about their
preferred communication methods and whether or not they take days off from work.
You may have a very different schedule than your agent, and it’s better to discover
this during an interview than deeper into the process.Also read https://www.texassellmyhouse.com/
A good agent will understand what it takes to make a deal happen, even when it
comes to last-minute changes and hiccups. For example, if you’re a buyer and your
lender tells you that your loan approval has expired, a real estate agent will keep on
top of it to prevent the deal from falling through. They will also communicate with
the other party’s agent to ensure that all the details of the deal are agreed upon.
Real estate agents also have a deep understanding of the housing market in their
area. For instance, they will be able to determine whether it’s a seller’s or buyer’s
market and provide you with insight that can help you make the best decision for
your situation. They’ll also be able to give you comparable prices of recently sold
homes in your neighborhood.
If you’re looking for a new home, your agent can check the MLS to find properties
that match your search criteria and schedule showings for you. During the listing
process, they’ll help you stage your home and take professional photos to make it
more appealing to buyers. They’ll also be able to spot issues with a property before
a sale, such as a buried fuel tank, asbestos insulation or unauthorized rental suites.
Your real estate agent should be able to anticipate your needs and offer insights that
you might not think of, such as a question about where you see yourself in five
years. This helps them match you to a home that will meet your needs now and in
the future, such as space for kids or a yard for pets.
Real estate transactions are complex, and mistakes can be costly. A good real estate
agent will double-check all the paperwork before a closing and be there to answer
any questions that you might have. If they’re not, it’s a sign that you should consider
hiring another agent.