So it’s finally time. You’ve decided to sell your home, buy a home, or do both! One of the most crucial parts of the home selling/buying process is picking a great real estate agent to work with. Unfortunately, choosing a realtor can be a difficult process, and if you don’t choose wisely, it can lead you to great disappointment.
Because your realtor can mean the difference between a quick and prosperous sale and a sale that is full of headaches, or finding your dream home, or finding a home you just settle for, you must use extreme discretion when choosing. So be sure to avoid these top mistakes people make when choosing a realtor.
Choosing a Realtor with the Lowest Commission Rate
It is natural to want to make/save as much money as you can from the sale/purchase of your home. But, when it comes to quality real estate agents, you usually get what you pay for. Instead of looking at the commission as another expense or loss, look at it as an investment in the sale/purchase of your home. Remember, time is money. A well-paid agent will work tirelessly to sell your home and find your next dream property, while a low-paid agent will probably do as little as they can to get by. When there is a strong motive for an agent to sell/find your home, you best believe they’ll work their tails off to get you there!
Not Seeking References or Reviews
One of the easiest ways to find a reputable realtor is by word of mouth. Have any of your friends or colleagues bought or sold their home recently? Get their opinion on the realtor or team they worked with. Another helpful source is the internet! Nowadays you can find online reviews on nearly anyone or anything out there.
Have a realtor in mind? Google them! Search for their Facebook page and read client reviews, or check out Yelp to see what other people are saying about them. Other great places to look for realtor reviews include Zillow and Trulia. Make sure the reviews are recent though. The realtor may have been in his or her prime 10 years ago but are letting things fall through the cracks now.
Only Interviewing One Agent
Only interviewing one realtor is a very common mistake made by homebuyers and sellers. A lot of times people will only interview one agent and decide to stick with them because they hear a good price or see flashy homes the realtor sold in the past. While this may be impressive, you have nothing to compare this one realtor to. Remember, not all realtors are the same. Different realtors bring different strengths, techniques, knowledge, and experience to the real estate game.
Keep in mind that picking an awesome agent should be centered around a few very important things; do they price appropriately, market well, and communicate effectively. Here at The Cesi Pagano Team, we strive to do all of those things and more! If you’re interested in buying or selling a home, contact us and lets get to know each other and how we may best assist you with your real estate needs!
Cesi Pagano
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