Whether selling or buying a house or apartment, an excellent real estate agent can make all the difference to a positive experience. Most people want to know if there exists some secret ingredient to the best real estate agent, but the truth of the matter is, the best real estate agents is defined as an experienced professional who will listen to his or her clients, act in an ethical fashion, and understand the specific market of interest. Look for those factors in an agent, and it is difficult to go wrong. That said, there are suggestions to help people looking for a real estate agent find that special professional who is right for them.
As a start, when looking for a real estate agent, it is helpful to know the difference between a real estate agent or a broker and a realtor. Realtors are distinguished because they belong to the National Associate of Realtors and pledge to follow a code of ethics. This comprehensive list contains 17 articles and underlying standards of practice that establish conduct levels higher than ordinary business practices or the practices required by law. Less than half of real estate agents are licensed as realtors, but the distinction, and the standards involved, can make all the difference. Look for the realtor logo, which only licensed realtors can display.
Often, clients find real estate agents or realtors through word-of-mouth referrals from family members, neighbors and coworkers. One of the best approaches when looking for an agent is to ask people in your life for their recommendations. Who sold their house or helped them buy a great apartment? Or, if you already found an agent that interests you, ask if anyone you know has experience with that agent. Unlike an advertisement, people in your inner circle can be guaranteed to give you an honest assessment. Top-flight real estate agents and realtors also care about their reputation, so you can trust an agent who takes the time to leave a great impression with your friends and family members.
Another option for finding a real estate agent or realtor is to search online listings. Online listings offer convenience and the option to search for your highly specific needs, but keep in mind that online listings offer no guarantee of quality. Some agents pay the website owners a fee to be listed in the director. A better option for online searching is to use Google and look for the most popular and top-rated agents in your area. Read customer testimonials, but again, exercise caution if you do not personally know the customer who wrote the testimonial.
For a more reliable and personal touch, try going to open houses in the area where you are searching for homes to buy or looking to sell. Open houses represent an excellent way to observe and interact with real estate agents and realtors in their own environment. See how they greet you and answer your questions. Is the agent knowledgeable of the property and the neighborhood? Is he or she friendly to everyone who comes through the door including you? Make notes of their performance and collect the business cards of agents you like so that you can follow up.
Few things are more important to buying or selling a home or apartment than the real estate agent or realtor you use. Try talking to friends and family members for referrals as the best bet. If no referrals are available, another option involves attending open houses to see the agents in action. As a last resort, check online listings, but exercise caution in the virtual real estate universe.