Tips on Finding the Best Real Estate Agent

Buying or selling a house can be a long-winded and confusing process — but it doesn’t have to be. By hiring a real estate agent, you get an expert who knows the ins and outs of the property market, allowing you to avoid time-consuming and potentially costly mistakes.

How do you find a trustworthy one? Below are five important tips:

Get referrals

Real estate is a reputation-driven industry. If an agent provides excellent services, their past clients will be more than happy to refer them to others. So if you know anyone who bought a home recently, ask them who their agent was and whether they were satisfied with him or her. Inquire about their experience working with this person, including how knowledgeable the realtor was and how easy they were to contact. If you’ve worked with an agent before but they don’t serve the area you’re moving to, ask if they know a trusted local realtor.

Check their credentials

All real estate agents must be licensed to practice in their state. When shortlisting agents, ask for their license and cross-check it against the Washington Department of Labor’s license lookup page. While you’re at it, ask if they’re a member of professional organizations like the National Association of Realtors, the largest trade group for agents. You should also look into the brokerage or real estate franchise they’re associated with and check whether it’s reputable.

Interview multiple agents

Hiring an agent is no different from hiring an employee: you must make sure they can do the job. This means interviewing multiple realtors until you’ve found the perfect candidate. Most experts suggest talking to at least three realtors before making a decision. Doing so gives you an idea of what each agent brings to the table and whether they match your needs. Conducting interviews also reveals if you have rapport with an agent — a crucial consideration since you’ll be working closely with them for several weeks.

Ask about their results

An agent is only as good as the results they get for clients. So when interviewing a realtor, don’t forget to ask about their track record. How many homes have they sold in the last three months? When they close a deal, how big is the margin between the listing and selling price? How many days does it take them to close on a property? Knowing all of these will help you find the most qualified agent.

Verify the terms of service

First and foremost, inquire about their commission. Most agents get between 4% to 6% of the total contract price, but some are willing to negotiate that rate. Do note, however, that lower doesn’t always mean better — this is one case where you certainly get what you pay for. You should also check how long your contract will be; if you still haven’t bought or sold your home by the time it lapses, you should have the option of working with another agent.

Looking for an agent you can trust? Look no further than Coldwell Banker Cascade Real Estate, which has 40 years of expertise in the Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, and Lake Chelan property markets. Just call 509.888.8887 or email info(at)cbcascade(dotted)com
to get started.