Whether you are buying your first home or selling the house you grew up in, bringing on a real estate agent can be one of the most important steps in the process. The relationship you build with your real estate agent is critical, and selecting the right one can make or break the entire experience. Before you’ve made up your mind, consider these key tips for finding the perfect real estate agent for you.

Go Local

Once you have decided on the location of your next purchase, keep in mind how hiring a local agent can be an asset. Selecting a real estate agent who has knowledge of the area, or has grown their business in the neighborhood, has advantages when finding the best deal on a home. Real Estate agents often specialize in very specific markets, and finding an agent who is local can potentially help you find the best deal and save money. The questions to ask include:

• Do you live in this community?
• Is there a particular area of the city they’d recommend for your needs?
• How are the schools?
• Are there pockets of the community that are on the upswing or downswing?
• Is a crime a concern in certain pockets of the community?

Get Referrals

You can tell a lot about a real estate agent from others’ past experiences, and referrals are the best way to hear first hand about an agent’s successes. Friends, co-workers, or anyone whose opinion you trust are the best source of referrals when searching for an agent. Ask for specific instances when the agent went above and beyond for them, and encourage your referral to be candid about their experience.

Attend Open Houses

Have an agent in mind? Their next open house is the perfect opportunity to meet face-to-face, without the added pressure of a formal interview. If you have the chance to see the agent at work, stop by their open house to get an idea of their work ethic, business approach, and how they interact with other clients.

Ask the Right Questions

When you meet with the realtor for the first time, make sure you’re asking the right questions to really get to know the agent and their personality. This first meeting with the agent will be important to creating a strong relationship from the beginning. Some questions you can ask are:

• How long have you been in real estate?
• How familiar are you with this market?
• What price range do you typically work?
• How is your schedule/availability?

The answers to these important questions can give you a clear idea of whether this particular agent is the right fit for you.

Go With a Pro

There are many moving parts when it comes to buying and selling a home; bringing on an agent is essential for everything to move smoothly. There is a level of market knowledge that agents are trained to understand, which will help with the success of your listing. Whether you are buying or selling a home, you need a credible and experienced real estate agent by your side. Choosing an agent can feel like a daunting task, but it doesn’t need to be a stressful decision. By keeping these tips in mind, you can feel confident selecting an agent that is right for you. If you are looking for a real estate agent in the Coachella Valley area, I would love to work with you to find the home of your dreams. Give me a call at 760.960.0381 or visit my website to schedule a meeting.