Selecting an Agent

How to choose the right real estate agent!

Research the Options

Do some investigating! You can learn a lot about a real estate agent with a little online research. Check out their website, social media accounts and online reviews. Ask friends and family members if they recommend an agent they’ve enjoyed working with.

“An agent can tell someone all day long that they’ll work hard for them. But positive reviews from past clients really say it,” confirms Jeff Bowers, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Pro Realty in Charleston, South Carolina.

Interview and Ask the Right Questions

Interview multiple agents before selecting the one. This allows you to gauge their style, experience and whether or not your personalities work well together. Make sure to ask questions about what to expect during the home-buying process, and find out how often – and via what methods – they’ll be available for you to contact.

“Make sure you connect with the person, and make sure they know what you are looking for in a home and how they can help you find the home of your dreams,” says Kristen Long, an agent with RE/MAX Realty Associates in Champaign, Illinois.

Seek Out Experience

With the competitive nature of homebuying and selling, having a productive, experienced agent who knows the ins and outs can be quite an advantage. The more confident your agent is, the more confident you can be.

“Experience in our industry is so important, as no transaction is like the others and with challenges popping up all the time. Wouldn’t it be nice to have an agent who already has the solution?” says Brian Teyssier with RE/MAX Real Estate Solutions in Pittsburgh. “Think of it this way, when you’re sick, do you want your doctor to have to research the cure or already know what to give you?”

Trust Your Gut

Once you’ve researched and interviewed your prospective agents, you’ll get a sense of who’s the right fit for you. Let your intuition guide you.

“It’s very important to work with an agent you connect with,” Long says. “You’re making one of the biggest financial decisions of your life, and you want that person to be in your corner 100%. Make sure your agent understands what you’re looking for and puts your interests first.”