Finding a Realtor
When it comes to buying or selling a home, one of the first steps is finding a responsible, reliable realtor to work with. You need to find a realtor that has your best interests in mind, so if you’re in the market to purchase a new home you would need the help of a selling agent. If you’re selling your home, a listing agent will be able to help you get the best price for your home.
In a few states, it’s legal for the seller’s agent to also be the buyer’s agent. In this case, the realtor would receive commission both from the home being sold as well as from the person buying it. Be aware of agents working on both sides; they usually have only their own interests in mind. Your agent should be on your side, working with you to get you the most bang for your buck, whether you are selling your home or purchasing a new home.
When you are shopping for a realtor, one great source for information is friends and family who have recently purchased a home with the help of a realtor. They will be able to give you honest, straightforward feedback on the quality of service they received from their realtor. They will be able to tell you if they would recommend that realtor.
If you don’t have anyone who has recently purchased a home to give you recommendations, then be sure to check the references of the realtor you are interested in hiring, which should be readily available. You should feel comfortable about asking your agent any questions that pertain to your house hunt, and they should be honest and sincere with every answer.
Some relevant questions to ask the realtor should include:
- How long have you been in business?
- Do you work directly with the seller? If so, do you have any obligations to the seller?
- Are you willing to show homes with a lower commission rate?
Don’t be afraid to ask a realtor to lower their commission if you think it’s unreasonable. If many other local realtors are charging 5.5% and your realtor is charging 6.75%, you may want to assess whether the service they provide is worth the difference. Your realtor should be trustworthy and his/her first priority must be getting you a good home at the right price.
