The right real estate agent can make all of the difference, and so can the wrong one. If you want to make sure that you are relying on the right real estate professional for buying or selling your dream house, one of the first things to do is consider what kind of agent you should have! After that, you’ll want to be sure that you choose the right professional for your search.
Choosing the right real estate professional
What is a buyer’s agent?
This is an agent that will represent the buyers of the house. They will keep the buyer’s best interest in mind and will do what they can to help you find just the right property, lot or home. Since they are formally representing the buyer, their focus will be on making sure the buyers get what they want and for the best negotiated price.
What is a seller’s agent?
This would be the opposite. This real estate agent would be representing the sellers of the home, so their goals will be in displaying and staging the home in all of its glory. They will help sellers set a price and then make sure that they get the best price possible for their home.
A dual real estate agent
So, as you might be able to guess, a dual agent is a professional who is going to represent the buyer and the seller who is there to help both parties negotiated a fair deal. You’ll find many who will warn against a dual agent, but it can be a very positive experience. After all, a dual agent has to make sure that everything works out perfectly on both sides of the equation — or it won’t go through. They are negotiating for both sides because they are helping them both.
Your real estate professional search
So, whether you decide that you are looking for a seller’s agent, a buyer’s agent, or a dual agent, your focus should be on a search that will bring the best real estate professional directly to you to help you with your home buying/selling process.
Start with referrals
Most of us will get a few name suggestions from friends and family or groups we know love and trust online or in person. Certainly use that as your starting point to find someone, but make sure that you know they are being honest about the pros and cons — there are always both — to using that professional. Honesty is crucial in something that substantial.
Do your homework
Regardless of where the list of agents came from, you’ll want to make sure that you do your own due diligence and check up on the shortlist of options online from reputation to ratings to warnings. It all matters, and it’s important for making your final choice.
Prepare real estate agent questions
When you are making your final choice, have a list of questions to ask all agents that you’re considering. They should be questions on the market value, common pain points, and more. The goal is to make sure that your agent knows their stuff and that they’re ready for anything. While there is no such thing as perfection, you can certainly do a lot to minimize your risk as much as possible.
Your agent is going to be your ally and best, professionally-trained choice to help you get the best house or sell your home for the best price. These details will help you have the right person at your side from start to finish.
Keep in mind too, that there is another option, for which we wouldn’t recommend but you may be up against them in your home buying process, that is a FSBO, or For Sale By Owner. Learn more about that in our FSBO blog here.
Otherwise, let us know how we can help with your home buying or home selling process in the beautiful Sargent, Texas area. Contact us at (979) 244-5353 today.