Choosing a Real Estate Agent

Buying or selling a home is a major feat, and it is one of the biggest financial decisions of your life. That is why finding a real estate agent with experience to guide you through the process is key.

About Real Estate Agents

Real estate agents help people buy and sell homes. Agents educate their clients about current market conditions, guide them through each step of the process, and make referrals to other professionals, such as home inspectors and contractors. A buyer’s agent helps buyers find homes, make competitive offers, and negotiate with sellers. A listing agent helps sellers to price, list, and market their homes and negotiate with buyers. Some agents specialize and others work with both buyers and sellers.

Real estate agents must be licensed in the state(s) they work and abide by national and state laws. Licensure requires that an agent completes a certain amount of coursework and pass an exam. You can check if a particular agent is licensed in California by visiting dre.ca.gov. This website also shows if an agent has faced any disciplinary action.

Not all real estate agents are Realtors. Realtors are licensed agents who are members of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). NAR members pledge to abide by the association’s standards and code of ethics.

Finding Potential Agents

According to the California Department of Real Estate, there were 299,547 salespersons (agents) in August 2021 and 128,666 brokers, for a total of 428,213 licensees! So how do you narrow down your search? 

 

    • Many sites allow you to search by a location/city you are interested in and find agents in the area, including Zillow.com.
    • Get referrals from friends and family! Ideally you want an agent who has experience working with clients similar to you. For example, the needs of a first-time buyer are very different from a seller looking to downsize.
    • Attend open houses and see if you connect with a real estate agent.

 

  • Call your neighborhood real estate brokerages.

Researching Your Candidates

  • Visit the agents’ websites, which may also include reviews/testimonials.
  • Zillow allows you to read agents’ reviews as well as how many overall sales they have made. Keep in mind that a “sale” refers to both the listing and purchase processes.
  • Meet with your final candidates. Questions to ask include:
  • How long have they been working with clients?
  • What training and/or recognition does do they have?
  • What is their strategy for helping you purchase or list your home?
  • What experience do they have in your immediate neighborhood?
  • Do they have references you can speak with?

Choosing an Agent

Ultimately, the question you need to ask yourself is, “Will this agent represent my interests?” Do you trust this person to help you sell for top dollar in a reasonable timeframe or purchase the right home for you for this stage of your life? And, like any relationship, the process is always more pleasant if you “click” with your agent. Your final decision, after doing due diligence in researching the candidates, usually comes down to what your gut tells you.

Next Steps

If you are a buyer, one of your next steps would be to get pre-qualified if you plan to take out a loan. Before diving into a home search, talk to your mortgage lender to determine how much you can afford to spend on a property. It is disheartening to fall in love with a home only to find out that you do not qualify.

If you are a seller, start as early as possible to prepare your home for the listing process. One to three months is ideal to allow time for purging, making repairs and other preparation. Of course, listing a home can be done in less time, it just means a faster pace.

You and your real estate agent will become a team. It is prudent that, with so much at stake, you invest the effort to ensure that it’s a winning team!

 

Debbie Austin is a realtor associate with Keller Williams, Roseville and has been helping clients buy and sell property in the area for 17 years. If you have a specific real estate question you wish to see addressed, contact Debbie at debbieaustin@kw.com or debbieaustingroup.com.