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Finding the best real estate agent can make a huge difference in the homebuying process.
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To find a good real estate agent, talk to friends and family or go to your bank or credit union.
Check whether the agent is a Realtor who’s a member of the National Association of REALTORS®.
Interview a few candidates and ask your favorites who to contact for references.
The right real estate agent can help you find the best home for your family within your budget. They can also help you move quickly in a competitive real estate market.
You want a real estate agent that’s an experienced professional. It also helps to work with someone who is a good fit for you specifically. For example, you’ll probably want to hire an agent whose schedule aligns with yours.
Types of real estate agents
To be able to represent buyers and sellers in property transactions, real estate agents all have to meet their state’s requirements for real estate salespeople. This generally includes completing a certain amount of coursework and an exam so they can receive their license. Real estate agents also aren’t allowed to work independently; they’ll need to work under a licensed broker.
Depending on who a real estate agent is representing, you may see them referred to as:
Buyer’s agent: This type of agent represents the buyer, and helps them search for properties and make offers on homes they want to purchaseListing agent: This type of agent represents the seller, since they are responsible for “listing” the property for sale in addition to marketing the home and working with potential buyers
Many agents regularly work on both sides of the transaction, while some may do more of one type than the other.
Another type of real estate agent you may come across is a real estate broker. Becoming a broker is more challenging, with more coursework and a more difficult exam. Licensed brokers can manage their own brokerages and hire real estate agents to work under them.
Real estate agent vs. Realtor
Not all real estate agents are Realtors. Realtors are members of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), the largest trade organization for real estate sales professionals in the US. While most of its membership is made of up real estate agents, NAR’s membership is available to all real estate professionals, which includes brokers and even appraisers.
Members of NAR have to abide by a code of ethics, and they may even have additional certifications. Working with a real estate agent who’s also a Realtor may give you peace of mind that you can trust them, and that they’re qualified.
How to find a real estate agent
Here are some tips for finding the best real estate agent for your needs.
1. Ask family and friends
Has anyone you know bought a house recently? Ask which real estate agent they used and whether they had a good experience.
You can read about an agent online, but talking to someone you trust can give you a better sense about whether you’ll have a good experience with an agent.
2. Go to your bank or credit union
Carolyn Morganbesser, Senior Manager of Mortgage Originations at Affinity Federal Credit Union, told Insider that buyers can ask their bank or credit union for help finding a real estate agent. This is especially useful if your bank or credit union is also your mortgage lender.
Many have programs that set customers up with qualified real estate agents. The banking institution and agent communicate so the agent can understand your full financial situation and help you make the most practical decision.
“The worst mistake, in my opinion, is working to keep your house,” Morganbesser said. “There’s no room for the movies or to go out to dinner, because your mortgage payment is higher than you anticipated.”
When your banking institution and real estate agent work together to find a home within your means, you can avoid buying a home that will ultimately cost too much.
3. Consider what type of expertise you’re looking for
If you were planning to get your hair done for a special event, you’d want to visit a stylist who specifically has experience doing that type of work — you wouldn’t make an appointment with someone who primarily does kids’ hair.
The same concept applies to finding a real estate agent. If you have a smaller budget, you probably don’t want to work with an agent who exclusively sells multimillion-dollar properties.
As you search, take a look at how different agents market themselves, and if they talk about the types of clients they’ve worked with in the past. Some agents might have more experience with first-time homebuyers than others, for example. Narrow down your search by looking for agents that have experience helping buyers like you find houses similar to what you’re looking for.
4. Interview a few candidates
Once you’ve narrowed down your list, set up interviews with three or four real estate agents. Ask them about their experience selling in your local market and what their availability is. Prepare a list of questions to ask each candidate so you can easily compare them.
Interviewing agents will give you more information, but it could also give you a gut instinct about who is the best fit. It’s not just about finding the agent that you feel is the most experienced, or who has the best track record; you want to feel comfortable and get along with them, too, since you’ll be spending a lot of time together.
5. Request references
Even if a friend or family member has recommended a real estate agent, you may want to get a couple more references.
Ask the agent who you can reach out to for a reference. They may provide you with a list of people they’ve recently sold homes to, along with contact information. Write down a few questions, then call or email some buyers.
A real estate agent is one of your most useful tools in buying a home. Make sure you find someone who is the right fit.