When it comes to selling your home, you need a real estate agent you can trust. If you’re selling your home, this is important because the right real estate agent will not only help you secure a great offer, but they’ll also be a representative for you throughout the entire process. If you’re a buyer, the ideal agent will help you find your dream home. In either situation, they should be highly professional, presentable, and a master negotiator. 

How do you find the right person to help you on this journey? Here are five tips to get you started on the right path to finding the right realtor for you.  

#1: Get Pre-Approved First

If you’re a buyer, in your haste to find your new home, you may be tempted to contact the first real estate agent you see. However, experts say it’s better idea to contact lenders before you start seriously browsing. This is because you have better leverage when you get prequalified for a home first. Doing this will also give you an estimate of how much you’re able to afford.

With that being said, keep in mind that a pre-approval is not a guarantee of funds, as your loan has to go through a meticulous underwriting process before it’s officially approved. However, without getting a preapproval, you risk wasting your time and your real estate agent’s time on looking at houses that a lender won’t approve you to purchase.

#2: Ask Around For Referrals

Sometimes the best way to find the right agent is to ask the opinions of your friends, family, and neighbors. People that are closest to you can tell you things that you won’t find on the Internet, such as whether the agent answers their phone, if they responded to emails, and of course about their personality in general. This is particularly important if you’re selling your home, as you’ll want someone responsive and reliable.

#3: Check Online As Well

When you’re researching potential agents, it’s a good idea to check their social media accounts and the website that they use to advertise their listings. Read their online reviews, too, but if they only have one or two negative reviews, you might want to take them with a grain of salt. It’s possible they’ve altered the results that appear. However, if you see a pattern of negativity from many reviewers, head in the other direction. It’s also a good idea to visit the Better Business Bureau’s website to see if there are any complaints filed there about the agent.

#4: Conduct Face-to-Face Interviews

Experts recommend meeting with at least three different realtors before deciding on one, particularly if you’re a seller. Meeting face-to-face with each one will give you the best feel for which one is right for you.

Begin by inquiring about the types of properties they specialize in, and the sort of clients that they usually work with. This is relevant because you wouldn’t want to work with someone who specializes in selling luxury properties when all you’re selling is a small apartment. It's also important at the interview stage remember that real estate agents work on commission. If they’re always going to be giving their attention to clients who are potentially going to buy or sell a higher value place, then they might not give your smaller purchase or sale as much attention.

Think of your schedule and how it may or may not fit into theirs. Be sure to ask them if you have permission to call them after office hours with questions, and ask which days of the week they take off, or how often they’re out of the office.

#5: Carefully Examine Your Seller’s Contract

Once you’ve narrowed down your choice of agent, if you’re selling, have them prepare a potential contract. This should clearly identify all of the terms which you are agreeing to, including his or her commission. In most cases, the seller will request 6% of the home’s sale price for commissions, however there’s no laws specifying minimum or maximum amounts. Keep in mind that the commission rate is negotiable. Another component to examine is the length of the contract. Ideally, the contract should be limited to six months or less.

#6: Follow Your Instincts

The experience and knowledge that real estate agents have make them invaluable assets, whether you’re buying or selling a home. With that being said, one cannot underestimate the importance of your gut instinct. When you are in the presence of this person, do you feel comfortable? Ideally, your personalities should mesh well with one another, in order to be a good fit in this business partnership.

Conclusion

When selecting the right real estate agent for you, there are several aspects involved. While trusted friends are a good place to find referrals, online reviews are also helpful. However, nothing is better than a face to face meeting, where you can really connect with the agent in a personal way. Read any contract carefully before signing on the dotted line, and ask as many questions as you need to feel secure with the decision you’re making.