Finding a Real Estate Agent

Finding a Real Estate Agent

Locating a real estate agent can be tough but this guide will give you some tips on how to locate the perfect real estate professional to help you buy or sell a home.


Places to Discover a Real Estate Agent?



There are several different strategies to locating a real estate agent, but not all are equally beneficial. Here are the best five locations to find an agent:



1. Phone book
2. Recommendation from friend
3. Open houses
4. Contacting sale ads/from signs directly
5. Online real estate agent directory


The most universal way to locate an agent is to flip through the phone book and phone the first few names that you find. There are a few problems with this approach including dealing with a total stranger and also the fact that you don't know if the real estate agent you are calling knows about your area.



Referrals are an easy way to locate a professional that can help out your situation and if you are getting their name from a friend or relative that has experience it ought to put your mind at ease.



Real estate open houses are an alternative method of finding a prospective real estate agent to work with. You can talk with them directly and see if they could possibly be a match for your needs. Open houses may not be the best place to strike up a discussion with an agent as they are most likely more interested in selling the residence they are showing rather than developing new clients, but it's worth a try.



You can flip through the newspaper ads or cruise around your neighborhood and get numbers immediately from for sale signs in your area. This can be an advantage because the professional that is selling your neighbors home probably has some knowledge of the area and knows comps and market worth. You may want to chat to your neighbor and see what kind of experience they are having to start with.



The final option that we listed and the one that we feel is the best is searching an online real estate agent directory. This is the easiest and most effective way to locate a local agent that might be attracted to working with you. You can quickly search by area and view the specialties of agents that are listed.



What to Expect Once a Real Estate Agent Is Chosen?



You never know if the person you have decided to work with is going to be aggressive at buying or selling a house for you until you see them in action. Especially when selling a home, some real estate agents are true professionals and will figure out what it takes to sell a property and get the job done. Others are content to just put the house for sell on the MLS and let other agents come along and show the house to potential buyers. You want to work with someone that is assertive and is vigorous in showing the house.



Never be fearful to boot the real estate agent to the curb if they are not doing their duty the way you would like. Sometimes there will be character conflicts that are just too much to conquer or a difference in opinion on how to market or find a property. The good news is that if your first choice for a real estate agent does not work out, there are plenty of others out there so keep trying until you find what you are looking for!