Buying a home is one of the most exciting times in many people’s lives, and it can also be one of the biggest financial investments they ever make. The 2013, over five million homes were sold across the United States, which means a lot of new couples and families moved into great locations to start their new lives. In fact, 65% of recent homebuyers were married couples, and many of them searched for property listings that were suitable for children if they expanded their family in the future. On average, people lived in their homes for 20 years — the typical first time buyer was 31 years of age, while the average age of repeat buyers was 53.
Before anyone begins the various home buying steps, one of the first things to do is find a Realtor. They know all the special tips and tricks that help you get the best deals on homes. About three in four buyers use social media during the home buying process, and many of them say that this feature helping them with new home buying. Finding your dream home can be made a lot easier when you have special online features available, and if you find a Realtor who is knowledgeable about all the various resources and home listings, you won’t be wanting for any extra help during your search.
For anyone who is currently searching for homes or who just wants to know some tips on how to find a Realtor, here are some of the things you should do to find the best person for the job.
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1. Ask past clients for reviews
This is important because you will want to ask other people if they were happy with the service your Realtor provided. If they get good reviews, it’s a good sign and means they satisfy their clients.
2. Make sure they are experienced
Have they sold properties in this area before? What about in the price range you specified? Make sure they have specific experience with the kinds of homes you want to purchase.
3. Verify their real estate license
You can go online to check out their licensing information to make sure they are up-to-date and licensed by the state. Most states have strict requirements for Realtors, so be sure to verify their claims.
4. Find out what their fee is
You want to make sure you can afford their fee, and agree on it before you do any work together so they are no misunderstandings.
5. Ask about their marketing techniques
Are they currently selling homes for anyone? Whether you are buying or selling a home, their record of home sales is an important factor in their success as an agent. Ask how they market their homes and how they get people excited about home buying.
6. Inquire about how many clients they currently have
If they have too many clients, they might not pay enough attention to you, so make sure they will have time to spend working on your case.
7. Ask if you can be actively involved
As a home buyer or seller you should definitely try to be an active participant in the process. You want to participate in every decision and understand your Realtor’s reasoning, so ask how involved they expect you to be. Research more here.
