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We may start looking for a new home soon and we'd need a buyers agent to help us out. How do I go about finding a good agent? We don't know any in this area so I guess we'd have to interview some. What should I ask? What should I look out for?
Thanks
Do a CD search on that topic. Someone recently posted a great list of questions to ask. You can meet them by going to open houses, dropping in on some of the offices locally (but then you are at the mercy of who is working the up desk), but best of all ask your friends/colleagues who they recommend.
Go to the city or state on C-D and review posts from local, knowledgeable folks. Then call, or email or DM and interview several that you feel would make a good match.
Interview at least 3. Ask a couple of friends who have bought about their agents and if they'd recommend theirs or not. Look on the internet and see who has done a good job marketing.
We were very much self starters, did a ton of internet research and started calling some agents who were selling houses we were slightly interested in. Then after meeting a few we found one that we just clicked with.
She was never pushy with her own properties, always willing to be flexible with our timeline, loved that we did a lot of research on our own and we had good rapport with. It worked well for us.
If you already have a lender, ask the lender for recommendations/referral for an agent. If you do not yet have a lender, do an internet search for your local board of real estate agents/realtors for top agents. Schedule an appointment and interview them. You may want to check the National Association of Realtor's site for tips on how to interview an agent and what to look for in an agent. As the previous poster, you should "click" with the agent. Some employers have relationships with real estate professionals, you may want to ask our HR department. Good luck!
What area of MA are you looking in? I tend to travel quite a bit for clients who ask me to help them and so I've worked with a number of different agents around the state. I may be able to give you some names to get you started.
Read, research... don't forget the reviews & ratings.
An agent who have a high number of closings with a 5 star & actual people making an effort to write that positive note about them is always a good starting point.
Oh... a busy agent (= already established & do not have to pull too much contacts), an experienced agent (plus, plus) who is not a part-timer are good too... they will be too busy out showing many many properties... with no extra "loitering" time to solicit.
(Yes... there are the good ones who gets all the business... and really they don't have that down time to even be here.
They will be trying to spend some precious moments with their family if they actually have some down time.)
Best is to treat it all business... because it is just that. Business.
Even as an investment for you that "personal" home buyer... it is best to take that emotions out.
Remember, emotions shows "weakness" especially when making a sale... have no place in any good advantageous business dealings.
Make it quick & efficient for that buyer's agents... this way they know you "know" what they know on the surface (since there is so many homes) yet you know in depth since you have done all necessary research, compare prices etc... so time spent are all "quality" time... nothing wasted.
(Time is money, in respect for both the agent, but should be even more so to YOU that buyer, because sometimes... that quick efficiently executed decision is what will get you that "timing" for that steal).
Takes 2 to tango.
*YOU* (primary) should be the one that *KNOW* (research ** homework **) what you are getting into.
Agent is that accessory only that aids the ease of the process.
Seriously, cannot be lazy about any money.... especially when making it or trying to make it (not talking about the agent here although it applies... but anyone who is in that position searching for that "returns").
P.S. as a past buyer... do have patience with busy agents (if they are on the phone closing on another house = very good sign). Do not take it personal that it should be your time *only*. You have to look past that as a positive... it is because they are that good that they actually are that busy. That good that they actually closes on homes even if in a buyers market without many interested or qualified buyers = they know (and with experience) what they are doing.
My time with my agent is just that... short & sweet. With many many showings of homes (however many I chose to see). She just needs to open that lock box for me & I decide & do homework for the rest.
Mental note:
Observation.
I saw how my agent worked (busy). I know I may find her reviews & ratings on the internet, but I know, she is way too busy to be here.
Seriously... even e-mails take her quite a while.
And she barely even have time to grab that bite to eat... (mostly drive through quick meals; yeah.. I peeked into her car which is quite fancy I might add).
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