Finding a professional and experienced real estate agent literally means the difference between a successful transaction and one filled with hiccups and undesirable results. After you've ensured you qualify with the proper financial status and credit score for a home mortgage (more here), it's time to find the right real estate agent to find the perfect home for you and your family. While there are many ways to determine whether or not a specific real estate agent is best for you, the following questions are designed to determine whether or not an agent is best suited for your unique needs. After asking a potential agent these questions, you'll hold a solid understanding of their abilities as an agent.
Question #1 | Are You a Full-Time or Part-Time Agent?
Because of the swift changing environment within the real estate industry, it's often recommended to hire a full-time real estate agent as they hold a solid understanding of the ever-changing environment within this industry. However, there are many advantages of having a part-time agent. If a real estate agent only works part-time, they're typically more available and dedicated to your particular situation as they'll have limited clients, which means more time to focus on either buying or selling your home.
Question #2 | What is Your Real Estate License Number?
If a real estate agent wishes to operate legally in the United States, they must hold a state-level license. Therefore, one of the most important questions to ask your potential agent is for their license number, which must then be checked by contacting the State Licensing Board. Generally, you may navigate your Web browser to the State Licensing Board website, where you may enter the license number to determine the type of license it is, whether it's valid and how long it's been active.
Question #3 | What is Your Experience Within the Real Estate Industry?
This question helps determine their overall experience within the real estate industry. While you may think that an agent who has had years of experience will be your best choice, this isn't always the case. Look for an agent who has had professional training and a clear demonstration of dedication to their industry. While a new agent may not have the “years of experience” as their more seasoned colleagues, these new agents are typically eager to prove their worth, which yields higher sales prices and greater negotiation power. They will also have a better understanding of what type of credit score you will need to purchase a certain home, what is a good credit score (check here), and similar information.
Question #4 | What's Your Current Client Load?
Determining an agent's current client load will help determine whether or not they'll have ample time to address your problems and tend to your case. Agents who feature a lot of buyers and sellers tend to be highly efficient with their time, which means you receive the information you need and the attention you deserve without wasting any time. Of course, if an agent is overwhelmed with clients, they may not be able to provide you with the attention necessary for a high-quality experience.
Question #5 | What Techniques Do You Use?
Avoid working with a real estate agent who does not utilize technology as a means of buying or selling your home. Gone are the days where agents mail hard copies of offers and contracts. In today's fast-paced real estate environment, it's imperative your agent utilizes the latest technology and platforms to not only locate an ideal buyer or home for sale, but also to streamline the communication between parties for swifter resolution of questions or finalization of offers.
Question #1 | Are You a Full-Time or Part-Time Agent?
Because of the swift changing environment within the real estate industry, it's often recommended to hire a full-time real estate agent as they hold a solid understanding of the ever-changing environment within this industry. However, there are many advantages of having a part-time agent. If a real estate agent only works part-time, they're typically more available and dedicated to your particular situation as they'll have limited clients, which means more time to focus on either buying or selling your home.
Question #2 | What is Your Real Estate License Number?
If a real estate agent wishes to operate legally in the United States, they must hold a state-level license. Therefore, one of the most important questions to ask your potential agent is for their license number, which must then be checked by contacting the State Licensing Board. Generally, you may navigate your Web browser to the State Licensing Board website, where you may enter the license number to determine the type of license it is, whether it's valid and how long it's been active.
Question #3 | What is Your Experience Within the Real Estate Industry?
This question helps determine their overall experience within the real estate industry. While you may think that an agent who has had years of experience will be your best choice, this isn't always the case. Look for an agent who has had professional training and a clear demonstration of dedication to their industry. While a new agent may not have the “years of experience” as their more seasoned colleagues, these new agents are typically eager to prove their worth, which yields higher sales prices and greater negotiation power. They will also have a better understanding of what type of credit score you will need to purchase a certain home, what is a good credit score (check here), and similar information.
Question #4 | What's Your Current Client Load?
Determining an agent's current client load will help determine whether or not they'll have ample time to address your problems and tend to your case. Agents who feature a lot of buyers and sellers tend to be highly efficient with their time, which means you receive the information you need and the attention you deserve without wasting any time. Of course, if an agent is overwhelmed with clients, they may not be able to provide you with the attention necessary for a high-quality experience.
Question #5 | What Techniques Do You Use?
Avoid working with a real estate agent who does not utilize technology as a means of buying or selling your home. Gone are the days where agents mail hard copies of offers and contracts. In today's fast-paced real estate environment, it's imperative your agent utilizes the latest technology and platforms to not only locate an ideal buyer or home for sale, but also to streamline the communication between parties for swifter resolution of questions or finalization of offers.