subject: How Should You Choose Your Real Estate Agent? [print this page] When you want to venture into real estate, there is one thing for you to do. This is to find, hire or choose your real estate agent. You need someone who will represent you in your best interest especially when you do not have much experience in this field. Whether you are a buyer or seller of a property, you will need the expertise of this agent.
Having a good real estate agent will enable you to have the greatest real estate experience. It is just unfortunate that not all of the real estate agents have the qualifications that you may be seeking. Thus, you have to be selective.
The real estate agent is just a salesperson because he is in the business of buy and sell. This person can be working for either a buyer or seller of real estate property depending on what purpose he was hired. If you are either a buyer or seller, your first consideration is to know his area of expertise. There are agents who are knowledgeable and skilled in handling properties on a particular area. If the agent has been living in your area where the real estate property is located, then it would greatly help you in the selling of your property as he is more familiar with the place.
The availability of your real estate agent is paramount. When he is reachable or accessible anytime, it would be easier to have him answer queries of clients. An agent who can be easily reached by his clients can better deliver results.
Experience is another attribute that you should look for in the agent. He should not only be familiar with the place you are selling. More than his familiarity with the place, he would be adept in handling clients. He should know as well the market behavior of real estate industry. An experienced real estate agent has a wider network such that he can easily find a buyer for your for-sale property. He will advertise your property and be with your client for the inspection of the property.
Prior to the sale, this agent will take a look at your property. And as he is experienced (though not an interior designer), he can make suggestions on how to make the house look better. This is called staging. The property owner does not need to spend money here. What the agent will do is just rearrange the furniture and home decorations that will make the interior more aesthetically appealing. However, if there are major repairs to be done such as peeling paint, he may advice on little retouch.
A real estate agent is your best bet in finding a prospective buyer for your property. And this is also your way to find the best real estate asset when you are looking for one. The real estate agent can work both ways, for the buyer and the seller. Whether you are a buyer or a seller, you have to consider several qualifications of the agent to make a great deal in the real estate venture.
