4 questions for a potential agent

HERE’S HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT REALTOR FOR YOUR HOME SEARCH

Before you can find your dream home, you must first find your dream real estate agent. Once you’ve found a few likely candidates, you should have a face-to-face meeting. Go prepared with an idea of the type of house you’re looking for and, of course, some of the following questions for your agent.

1. What is your background? What are your credentials?

Trust is a key part of the buyer/agent relationship, so choose a professional with a level of experience that gives you confidence. Ask about their education background and understand the differences between titles. For example, a Realtor is a member of the National Association of Realtor and abides by a strict code of ethics, while a broker has furthered their education and has passed a broker’s license exam.

2. How many deals have you done in this neighborhood?

The more knowledgeable an agent is about the community you want to live in, the better, according to Steve Goddard of RE/MAX Beach Cities Realty in Los Angeles. “You want to ask (the agent), ‘How well do you know this area?’ Did they just move here or have they lived here for 40 or 50 years? How long have they been selling real estate?” Goddard says.

3. What is your typical caseload?

This question is not necessarily about the number but rather their availability. Essentially you want to be aware if an agent is overloaded with clients and may not be able to dedicate the appropriate time to finding your future home.

4. How will we communicate throughout this process?

From first meeting through closing on a house, you should expect reliable and accurate communication from an agent. Inquire about how they make themselves available, whether it’s via email, phone or text message, and how often you should expect an update.

Purchasing a home is one of the biggest (and priciest) decisions you’ll ever make. And at the end of the day you want someone on your team that makes you feel comfortable with the process.