Finding the right Real Estate Agent

You’ve spent countess hours searching online, driving by neighborhoods, walking through open houses & now you’re ready to make the move. You’re heart is all in but don’t let that trip you up from finding the right agent.

You know better than that! Don’t take a risk by accidentally hiring the first agent you ask to show you around because guess what, that’s what we in real estate call; agency. Once you’ve created an agency relationship with an agent, you begin the process with them whether you intended to or not.

Here are three simple tips in order to find the right Real Estate Agent in San Diego or in any city.

Ask around. Your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers. Ask people you trust who they’ve work with to help them with real estate. Guaranteed you’ll hear some good stories. Everyone who’s bought or sold real estate can tell you first hand about their experience, so ask.

But don’t let that stop you from continuing the search process, please. Do yourself a favor & go online. It’s so simple. Google any & all names you are given. See what pops up.

Find an agent who has a presence online but beyond that you want to find an agent who has transparency. Look for reviews from people who have hired them. Platforms like Zillow & Yelp. These sites will help you learn more about the individual & what people are saying about them. Is this someone you want to work with? Does their online resume give you confidence in their abilities as a professional? It only takes 10-15 minutes of research to get to the next step in finding the right agent.

Yes, interview agents. More than one. It might sound like a waste of time but it will absolutely be worth the effort. Meeting an agent face to face will help you determine if this is someone you want to do business with & whether they can help you achieve your goals. Make sure they are familiar with the areas you’re considering & that they have a track record of success. Now don’t let the numbers fool you. Just because someone has the most signs in the neighborhood doesn’t make them the best agent. Be sure to ask them to share their most recent transactions with you. How did it go? Who did they represent? A professional agent will be able to articulate the home buying or selling process with you, work hard to make the experience a positive one & protect your best interests throughout the entire transaction.

It’s like anything in life, take time & be mindful before making big decisions. Finding the right agent can make all the difference.

Still not sure what questions to ask when interviewing & know if you’re hiring the right agent? Check out our blog post on the best 3 questions to ask a Real Estate agent.