How To Choose Your Real Estate Agent

A. RED FLAGS TO AVOID

1. The real estate is a part time job of the agent

Whether you’re a buyer or seller, you want to choose an agent who is actively following the market every day. If you’re buying, you want an agent who can jump on new listings and show them to you immediately. If you’re the seller, you want an agent who is always available to show your home to prospective buyers.

2. You have personal relationship with them

Unless your relative or friend is a crackerjack full-time agent who specializes in your neighborhood, he or she is very unlikely to do the job as good as another agent. That can breed resentment, as well as derail your transaction.

3. The agent doesn’t understand well about your neighborhood 



Finding a neighborhood expert is especially important in areas where moving a block can raise or lower the value of a home by $100,000. An agent who specializes in a neighborhood may also be in touch with buyers who are looking for a home just like yours or sellers who haven’t put their home on the market yet.

4. The type of property you’re looking for is not the similar type of the agent

If you’re buying or selling a condominium, don’t pick an agent who rarely sells condos. If you’re looking for investment property, find an agent who traditionally works with investors. Many agents have multiple specialties, but you want to make sure the agent is well-versed in the type of transaction you’re doing.

See also: Types of Apartments

5. The agent usually works with customers outside your price range 

Some agents specialize in homes of all types in a specific area. But if you’re a first-time buyer looking for a $200,000 entry-level home, you are unlikely to get much attention from an agent who mostly handles $10 million luxury listings.

B. TIPS TO CHOOSE YOUR REAL AGENT

1. Ask about the neighborhood

A good agent should know about other area properties that are available "off the top of his head," says Irwin. Mention a house in your area that's sold recently or is for sale. If the agent knows the property and can give you a few details, that means he or she really knows your area, he says. "You want someone like that who's on top of the market."

2. Look at their online listings



Most buyers start their search on the Internet, and you want an agent who uses that tool effectively. 

You also can look at how closely the agent's listings mirror the property you want to buy or sell. Are they in the same area? Is the price range similar? And does the agent have enough listings to indicate a healthy business but not so many that you'd just be a number?

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3. Do you feel comfortable with the agent?



You need to be very honest with an agent during the selling process and hence, you need to make sure you are comfortable with the agent and can have open and honest communications.

4. Has the agent have been licensed or not?

​Cities will have boards that license and discipline real estate agents in those states, says Phipps. Check with your state's regulatory body to find out if the person is licensed and if there have been any disciplinary actions or complaints, or check to see if the information is posted online.