Tips for Choosing the Right Real Estate Agency
Buying or selling a property is not an easy process as it involves a lot of logistics. Even a seasoned property owner may feel overwhelmed by this process. For this reason, most property owners are opting for the services of a real estate agency to have an easy time buying or selling a property. The right real estate agent knows the ins and outs of the market, is well connected, is a good listener especially when it comes to your needs and will guarantee you a smooth process. Finding the right real estate agency may however be quite a challenge with so many options available. The following tips may go a long way in guiding to make the right choice.
One crucial tip in choosing the right real estate agency is to talk to a lender before hiring one. If you are considering buying a property, it is highly advisable to first talk to a lender before hiring a real estate agent to determine how much you can afford. By getting a mortgage pre-approval, you will be able to establish the maximum amount you can borrow and also identify issues that need to be worked on early in the process. In doing so, you will be able to stick to properties or homes in the right price range as well as show the potential realtors and sellers that you are indeed a serious buyer.
The other effective tip for finding the right real estate agency is to get referrals from your network. You should seek recommendations from friends and family members that have previously purchased or sold a property with the help of a real estate agency. Such individuals will direct you to some of the best real estate agencies within your local area. You should also ensure that the real estate agency of your choice has a membership with the National Association of Realtors and abides by the group’s code of ethics.
When choosing a real estate agency, you should also consider the aspect of reputation. You should research the potential candidates to establish the quality of services they offer. You can start by examining the agencies’ online presence and you can achieve this by checking their websites and active social media accounts where they promote their listings. Additionally, you should look at their online reviews and ratings through which you will get an insight into what to expect. You may also need to check with your state’s real estate regulator to establish whether the agency you intend to settle on is licensed or has faced any recent disciplinary action. To determine if the real estate agency you plan to settle on has received any complaints from previous clients, you may need to check with the better business bureau.
Before settling on a real estate agency, you may also need to request for references and contact them. You should request your preferred real estate agency to provide you with information on homes they have listed and sold in the past year, as well as the contact information of some of the recent clients. Once you get the contact information, you should call those particular clients to find out their experience as well as the type of services the agency provided throughout the buying or selling process.