Real Estate Agents - How to Find a Good One

[missmanors]

If you are planning on buying a home, and are planning to use a real estate agent to help you find the perfect home for your family, or the perfect flip for you to sell, there are several things to look for to find the perfect agent for you.

A good real estate agent can help the home buyer find the perfect home and avoid potential problems. A home is one of the biggest purchases you will ever make, and a major financial commitment such as this demands the services of a professional. While you may think you can go it alone, the services of a good real estate agent can be a huge help any time you are looking for a home or any other type of real estate.

One of the crucial factors in choosing a real estate agent is his or her experience. It is particularly important that the real estate agent have experience that is relevant to the part of the real estate market you are entering. For instance, if you are looking for investment properties, you will want to use a real estate agent who understands the challenges and opportunities of buying and selling investment properties.

If you are looking for HUD properties or repossessed home to flip, you will need to find a real estate agent who is licensed to bid on HUD properties and who understands how the HUD and repossessed market works. These types of properties are a specialty within the real estate market, and it is important to make sure the real estate agent has experience in this specialty market.

A home buyer will also want to look for years of experience in their real estate agent. Ask questions about the number of homes he or she has found for buyers, the number of houses he or she has sold, and the areas in which he or she specializes. All real estate agents are more familiar with some areas than others; you will want to find an agent who is familiar with the area in which you want to buy.

A real estate agent who lives in the area in which you are interested may know more about the nature and character of the neighborhood than an agent who lives elsewhere. As you know, location is a key consideration with any type of real estate, whether it is your primary residence or an investment property. The outlook of the area, and its growth prospects, will in large measure determine the future direction of home prices. You naturally want your home to appreciate over time, so paying attention to the area in which you invest is important.

You will also want to make sure that your real estate agent has the backing of a good company behind them. The support provided by a good real estate company can be a big help in helping you find the best home for you and your budget. You will also want to make sure that the real estate agent you choose has full access to the Multi-Listing Service (MLS). The Multi-Listing Service (MLS) allows real estate agents to share their listings and provide potential buyers with the largest possible selection of properties to choose from.

[JaredfromIndiana]

I'd like to get some opinions on something.

When you think of a realtor, what is the #1 quality you want your realtor to posess?

What is your #1 turn off when you think of a realtor?

[missmanors]

In answer to your first question Jared, I know in my post I said experience is the most important thing. This is not necessarily true though. When I read your question, I would have to say that honesty is the most important thing to me, not only in a realtor, but in anyone that I'm doing business with. I want those that I'm doing business with to be up front with me, but I know that I'm wishing on rainbows in most cases.


As to your second question, I think what would be the biggest turn off for me, would be someone that I didn't think was being honest with me. Someone who seemed just out for the almighty dollar, and seemed to be just giving me lip service to get to that end. I'd end my business relationship with that person in a heartbeat.